The best food for healthy eaters is the one you prepare with your own hands. The yogurt maker is designed to produce tasty and healthy, and most importantly, natural fermented milk products at home. To buy a really good device, you need to know how different models differ from each other. How to choose a high-quality yogurt maker - advice and reviews from owners will help answer this question.

Regardless of the manufacturer, any yogurt maker is a container with thick walls, a transparent lid and a vessel for fermentation. Variations are possible in design, functionality, set of containers and other details. Some models allow you to prepare not only yogurt, but also other fermented milk products. To choose a good yogurt maker, you need to know the basic parameters of this kitchen appliance.

Principle of operation. According to this criterion, the following devices are distinguished:

• resembling a thermos;
• having a constant heating temperature.

In yogurt makers of the first type, the containers are heated for about half an hour, somewhere around 60˚C. Then the device turns off, but due to thermal insulation, heat remains inside it for a long time, which contributes to the preparation of the fermented milk product. You can prepare yogurt in this model 2 times faster than usual - in 4-5 hours. In addition, there is an obvious energy saving, because the device only works from the mains at the beginning of the process, and even then not for long. However, the price of convenience is quite high.

Yogurt makers that operate in constant temperature mode heat up to approximately 40-45˚C. This indicator does not decrease for about 8-12 hours, until the device is turned off. In such a situation, yogurt often becomes more fermented than necessary. One of the advantages is the ability to use baby food jars for fermenting fermented milk products, and not just those containers that come with the yogurt maker.

Advice. When buying a device that operates at a constant heating temperature, choose a model with an automatic timer that will stop the process of further ripening.

Form. Everything is simple here: a yogurt maker can be round, square or rectangular. This does not affect functionality in any way, so choose what you like and fits better into the kitchen design.

Power. The average for most yogurt makers is from 8 to 20 W. There are also more powerful specimens, but the main task of the device is to maintain a consistently warm temperature for a long time. Based on this, many experts advise not to focus on power as the main criterion for choosing a yogurt maker.

Jars: quantity, volume and quality of material. The device may include 1 large container designed to prepare 1-2 liters of yogurt, or from 2 to 15 individual cups with a volume of 100 to 200 ml each. Dishes for fermenting milk can be plastic or glass. In a family with children, the second option is preferable, because even food-grade plastic can release toxins when heated. Glass is a safe, but at the same time fragile material. Such containers can be sterilized with boiling water or steam. Plastic jars are also not without their advantages: they are easy to clean and last a long time.

Attention! Regardless of the material, volume and quantity, the cups are equipped with lids, thanks to which it is convenient to store the prepared product in the refrigerator.

Control method. Here are several options:

• mechanical - the timer can have only 2 positions (on-off), or it can have a scale that allows you to accurately set the cooking time of the product, from 4 to 10 hours;
• electronic - in this model you need to set a certain time on the display, after which the yogurt maker will turn off;
• without control - in this case, the device must be connected to the network, and when the yogurt is prepared, unplug it.

Advice. The longer the milk is fermented, the thicker the yogurt will be. At the same time, you cannot cook it longer than indicated in the instructions for the starters or recommended by the manufacturer of the equipment.

Additional functionality:

• labeling of jars - so as not to forget about the expiration date of yogurt;
• a sound signal that notifies that the ripening process is completed;
• light indicator - also helps to determine that the yogurt is ready;
• cord storage compartment;
• a set of spare jars;
• the ability to prepare ice cream, cottage cheese, sour cream, homemade cheese - as a rule, such devices are equipped with additional containers. There are models that can be used as double boilers at the same time.

Manufacturer:

1. Tefal is a brand that has proven itself well due to its high quality. True, the price for such yogurt makers is quite high.
2. Moulinex and Ariete offer decent options in which price and quality are correlated at a level acceptable to many buyers.
3. Orion is in many ways similar to Moulinex; this technique is also considered one of the most reliable.
4. Dex - makes it possible to choose a budget option that will last a long time.

Before you go to the store for a yogurt maker, take into account the reviews and recommendations of those who have already chosen the right model for themselves:

• In order not to overpay, before purchasing, think about which functions you cannot do without, and which ones are unnecessary for you.
• Labeling the glasses is necessary if the family does not drink yogurt in the first 2-3 days.
• Individual jars are preferable to one large container: it is convenient to store and hygienic to use.
• Almost all yogurt makers have one drawback: they overheat the product. You need to keep this in mind when using dry starters: at high temperatures, beneficial bacteria die.
• The timer and automatic shutdown are convenient features for those who do not rely on their memory or are too busy, so they may miss the time when they need to take out the yogurt. At the same time, such options make the equipment more expensive.

Some users are sure that a yogurt maker is an unnecessary item in the kitchen. You can prepare fermented milk products in a thermos, in a slow cooker, in an oven, even on a radiator, or the old fashioned way: by wrapping a pan of warm milk and starter in a blanket. Those who are satisfied with the purchase of a yogurt maker object: using a special unit, it is easier and simpler to ferment milk; the main thing is to choose a model that will satisfy the needs of your family.

Comparison of yogurt makers: video

Yogurt maker for home: photo

To prepare yogurt at home, you need a thermostat capable of maintaining a temperature of 38 - 40 degrees Celsius for 5 - 10 hours. Yogurt makers produced by industry usually contain a low-power electric heater constantly connected to the power supply. In some cases, this leads to a significant deviation of the temperature from the optimal one, which negatively affects the quality of the resulting product. This article proposes a diagram and design of a simple electronic thermostat capable of maintaining temperature with sufficient accuracy. The electrical circuit diagram of the thermostat is shown in the figure.

The green LED HL1 is an indicator of the presence of mains voltage. A stabilized power supply with an output voltage of 12V is assembled on elements VD2, R1, R2 and R3. Silicon diodes VD3, VD4 are used as a temperature sensor. At a temperature of 20°C, the voltage drop across them is about 1V, and the conversion coefficient is -4 mV/°C. Comparator DA1.2 compares the voltage on the sensor with the setpoint obtained from variable resistor R9. Thanks to resistors R11, R12, the comparator operates with a slight hysteresis. If the temperature is lower than the set one, then the voltage at input 3 DA1.2 is higher than at input 2 DA1.2, the output transistor of the comparator is locked, the powerful high-voltage field-effect transistor VT1 is open, because thanks to resistor R13, a voltage of 12 volts is present at its gate. Heater R17 is supplied with rectified mains voltage. When the temperature rises above the set one, the output transistor of the comparator will open, and VT1 will lock, the heater will turn off. The red LED HL2 is an indicator that the heater is turned on. Variable resistor R9 is equipped with a scale of 20°C - 60°C, allowing you to set the desired temperature value. Trimmer resistors R5 and R6 set the boundaries of the temperature control range.

The described circuit implementation has the disadvantage that in the event of a break in the sensor circuit, an uncontrolled increase in the temperature of the heater will occur. To eliminate this drawback, comparator DA1.1 is used, the output of which is connected to the output of DA1.2 according to the “wiring or” circuit. In the event of a break in the sensor circuit, the voltage at input 6 of DA1.2 will be higher than at input 5. The output transistor of the comparator DA1.1 will open and VT1 will be locked, regardless of the state of DA1.2.

The damping circuit (snubber) R16, C6 protects transistor VT1 from breakdown by short high-voltage pulses that sometimes occur in the supply network.

Construction and details

The device consists of two parts - an electronic unit and a heat-stabilized surface, shown in the following photo.

The electronic unit is assembled in a plastic box measuring 100x75x65 [mm]. The axis of the variable resistor R9 is located on the top panel of the block. The end of this axis is slightly recessed relative to the level of the top panel. It has a slot that allows you to change the set temperature using a screwdriver. Also on the top panel are LEDs HL1 “Network” and HL2 “Heating”. The electronic unit is mounted on a breadboard shown in the following photo.

The thermally stabilized surface is made of a metal tray, inside of which there is a temperature sensor VD3, VD4 and a heater R17, which is used as a heating element from a photo glosser. The heater and sensor are mounted on a 5 mm thick aluminum plate, screwed to the bottom of the tray with 6 countersunk screws. The plate should be made according to the dimensions of the bottom of the tray. The paint from the inner surface of the bottom of the tray must be cleaned off and a thin layer of heat-conducting paste KPT-8 or, worse, Litol-24 grease applied to it, and then the plate must be installed and secured with screws. The dimensions of the plate can be significantly reduced or even abandoned altogether if you use a tray made of aluminum, the thermal conductivity of which is significantly greater than that of steel. The heater should be placed in the middle of the plate. The relative position of the heater and sensor is shown in the photograph. The gap between the heater and the sensor must be filled with heat-conducting paste.

On the heater side, the tray is covered with a plywood lid. It is useful to place a heat insulator between the lid and the heater - thin felt, padding polyester, etc.

The electronic unit is connected to a thermally stabilized surface using a homemade four-core cable 50 cm long, ending with a DB-9 connector. The wires going to the heater should be twisted, and to connect the sensor, use the wire in the screen, as shown in the diagram.

As HL1 you can use any green LED, for example L-1154GF from Kingbright, and as HL2 you can use any red LED, for example L-1154ID from the same company.

VD3, VD4 1N4148 can be replaced with KD512 or KD503 with any letter. VT1 IRF740 can be replaced with IRF840.

It is advisable to use stable resistors R1, R2, R4, R7 and R10 C2-23, MF-25, etc. Trimmer resistors R5 and R6 SP5-3, SP5-14 or 3266 bowrns. Variable resistor R9 must have a linear dependence of resistance on the angle of rotation of the axis (for domestic resistors - group A, for imported ones - B). The author used a wirewound resistor PP3-20.

This device has a direct connection to the power supply. It is recommended to perform all adjustment operations by connecting the electronic unit to the network via a 220V/220V isolation transformer.

Setting up the device comes down to setting the boundaries of the temperature control range. To do this, you will need a thermometer and a digital voltmeter or multimeter.

The thermometer should be placed near the sensor and its readings recorded. After this, you need to measure the voltage at the sensor - test point KT1. Knowing the sensor conversion coefficient (- 4 mV/°C), it is easy to calculate what the voltage on the sensor will be at a temperature of 20°C (V1) and at 60°C (V2).

By connecting the voltmeter to KT3, you need to set the voltage V2 at this control point using trimming resistor R6. Next, you should set the voltage V1 on KT2 using R5. Since these adjustments are interdependent, they should be repeated several times. At this point, setting up the device can be considered complete.

Finally, some tips for use.

To heat the yogurt evenly, it is useful to create a closed, thermally insulated volume above the thermostated surface. The easiest way to do this is with a blanket or thick blanket.

The scale on the electronic unit by which the surface temperature is set is indicative. In addition, the temperature of the yogurt may differ slightly from the surface temperature due to imperfect thermal insulation. In this regard, it is recommended, using a thermometer placed in a vessel with water, to draw up a table of corrections for the thermostat scale. When performing this work, you should use the same dishes and the same thermal insulation that will be used in the future for preparing yogurt.

This thermostat has an extended temperature range. This allows it to be used not only for its intended purpose, but also for other culinary and technical purposes. For example, for preparing dough, heating a solution when etching printed circuit boards, etc.

At negative room temperatures, the electronic unit may block the heater from turning on, because this situation will be perceived as a malfunction (break) of the sensor. The device is not intended for operation in such conditions, but if you heat the sensor to positive temperature in any way, the thermostat will work.

List of radioelements

Technical progress does not stand still, giving women new inventions every year. Now it’s the turn of dairy product lovers to receive their present. A new kitchen device - a yogurt maker - is designed for making this delicacy at home. Now, when purchasing, gourmets do not have to worry about the expiration date and usefulness of the purchased product. They will optionally have fresh yogurt without dyes or preservatives.

Description of work

This unique device acts on milk placed inside, converting it into fermented milk products. Using this unit you can prepare the following products from milk and sourdough:

• yogurt;
• sour cream of different fat content;
• kefir;
• ice cream;
• cottage cheese.

To prepare it, just mix milk and starter in a certain proportion, add the desired toppings (vanillin, berries, jam). Pour the resulting mixture into glasses and place them inside the device for the required time. After the timer rings, the resulting product must be placed in the refrigerator. Depending on the configuration, you can make one dish at a time or several at once. This equipment is also good because it does not consume a lot of energy, which allows you to get high-quality food while spending much less money than purchasing its store-bought counterpart.

Principle of operation

The production of your favorite products is achieved by the 40-degree temperature created by the device, which is the optimal environment for the development of bacteria that ensure the fermentation of milk. To get your favorite treat you need to follow all the instructions:

1. Before using the device, pour boiling water over the cooking containers.
2. Warm the milk to room temperature and add the starter. Mix the resulting mixture thoroughly. Attention! The mass should be homogeneous and without lumps.
3. Distribute the mixture into containers and seal tightly with boiled lids.
4. Load the containers into the machine and set the timer for the required cooking time.

Important! Be sure to immediately put the finished product in the refrigerator. If this is not done, the bacteria will continue to multiply and make the food unfit for consumption.

Yogurts appeal to many people. Moreover, dairy treats have many benefits for the body. True, this only applies to natural products, which, unfortunately, cannot always be found on the shelves. However, you can prepare it yourself using only organic and fresh ingredients. A yogurt maker will help with this. How to buy a good device? What should you pay attention to when making a purchase? If you need a yogurt maker, then it will be useful for you to know how to choose the best model.

Yoghurt rating

Using a yogurt maker, you can easily and simply prepare the product. What about store-bought dairy treats? Are there really natural and delicious desserts among them?

Brands such as “Miracle” and “Danone” are popular among consumers. They are not distinguished by a high level of naturalness and the absence of preservatives. However, they have advantages: taste, aroma, price, thickness. Yoghurts “Miracle”. They contain proteins and bacteria beneficial to the body, unlike Danone products - they consist more of enhancers and preservatives.

What is important to know when choosing a yogurt maker

Home appliance stores offer several models of yogurt making devices. How to choose a yogurt maker to remain satisfied with your purchase for a long time?

Price

There is no need to chase expensive devices in search of the highest quality. The operating principle of all models is the same. Both a budget option and an expensive one will fulfill its direct tasks. In this case, it is better to prefer a well-known company that has already proven itself from the best side. As a rule, reliable, time-tested companies carefully check and control the production process.

The most popular manufacturing companies:

The price may be inflated by the presence of additional functions. Some of them are useless and not particularly necessary.

The cost of the device varies from 1000 to 10,000 rubles.

Functional

The main function of a yogurt maker is to heat the milk mixture in a tightly closed container for a certain time. Depending on the set temperature, the following products are obtained:

• cottage cheese;
• yogurt;
• kefir;
• sour cream.

More expensive models work via a heating element. Budget devices do not have this capability. The principle of their operation is to initially heat the milk.

A useful feature that not all devices have is auto shutdown. Making yogurt is a long process. Therefore, you can completely forget about turning off the program at the appointed time. And thanks to the automatic shut-off system, the product will not run out. In some devices, this function is accompanied by a sound alert.

There are two types of device control:

• electric;
• mechanical.

The type of appliance does not in any way affect the quality of the preparation of the dairy dessert.

Some models have markings on the cups. This is a very convenient feature. It allows you to mark the date of manufacture of the product, which allows you to track the expiration date of the yogurt.

There are two types of operation indicator:

• light;
• display.

It is much more convenient to track the process on the display, which shows the time and cooking mode.

Types of yogurt makers

When wondering how to choose a yogurt maker, you should note that there are two types:

1. A device with one container, the capacity of which is on average 1 liter.
2. Device with 5–12 jars.

The number of containers should be selected in accordance with the expected production volume of the product. For example, if only one person in the family consumes yogurt, a device with 5 jars will do. Dairy products are not stored for long, so there is no point in preparing them in excess.

Material

The choice of a yogurt maker also includes such an important factor as the material from which the containers are made. As a rule, these are two types of raw materials:

• glass;
• plastic.

Glass is stronger, more reliable and can be used to heat other mixtures due to its heat resistance. However, don't be afraid of plastic. If a plastic container is produced under the control of reliable companies, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the material.

Power

Standard simple yogurt makers have a minimum power of 12 W and a maximum of 50 W. At the same time, there are devices capable of heating milk with a power of 600 W. Such devices have more advanced capabilities with which you can prepare various desserts.

Which yogurt maker will serve better and longer? The power level does not affect the shelf life in any way. When choosing this indicator, you should take into account the purpose of purchasing the device.

Thus, you have learned how to choose a yogurt maker, what parameters you need to pay attention to, and what is important to know about the device as a whole.

Rating of yogurt makers by quality

To make it easier to decide which yogurt maker is better, it is recommended to study the more popular models. Since the device comes in several types and types, each classification has its own best yogurt maker.

With a big bowl

Budget yogurt makers: rating

Among the inexpensive models, the following devices stand out:

The best models with portioned jars

The best yogurt makers with ceramic containers

Models with a universal set of containers

The following yogurt makers stand out:

Video on the topic

Is the yogurt maker the most useless or absolutely necessary appliance in the kitchen? Buyers' opinions differ. If you are constantly making dairy desserts, or if you have a toddler, a yogurt maker will undoubtedly make your life easier. Should I choose a more expensive model?

What to look for when choosing a yogurt maker?

• A model that costs more does not necessarily cook better. All yogurt makers work the same way - they maintain a given mode. That's all you need to make yogurt. When buying an expensive model, you pay for the name, for additional features, for convenience.
• Almost all devices are made in China. But large manufacturers strictly control the quality of production and are responsible for it. Choose a well-known brand.
• A useful feature is auto power off. After cooking is finished, the heating will turn off, and there will be a guarantee that the yogurt will not overheat.

What not to do?

• Beware of "plastic". If the device is made at the factory of a well-known manufacturer (Tefal, Moulinex, etc.) under strict control, then all its parts are absolutely safe. High-quality food-grade plastic is used in production; when it is heated to the temperature specified in the passport, no harmful substances are released during the life of the yogurt maker.
• Chasing the number of jars. It’s still not possible to make yogurt “in reserve”; its shelf life is limited (depending on the type of starter, read the instructions). Therefore, you should not buy a device for 12 jars if in your family only the child eats yogurt 3 times a week.
• Look for a model with a thermostat for manually setting the temperature with high accuracy. In order for yogurt bacteria to grow and develop, a range of temperatures must be maintained, and even the simplest models cope with this task.