Making your own yoghurt at home is a great way to enjoy fresh, healthy food while saving money. Homemade yoghurt is free from artificial additives and preservatives, allowing you to customise flavours and textures to your preference. Additionally, homemade yoghurt is healthier since beneficial bacteria (CFUs) start declining soon after commercial production (McKinley, 2005). However, with so many yoghurt makers available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This guide compares different types of yoghurt makers based on price, ease of cleaning, temperature control, durability, reliability, and extra features.
1. Single-Container Electric Yoghurt Makers
- Price: £30-£80 (moderate)
- Ease of Cleaning: Easy; a single large container means fewer parts to wash.
- Temperature Control: Excellent; designed for steady, controlled fermentation (Tamime & Robinson, 2007).
- Durability & Reliability: Mostly reliable, though heating elements can wear out over time.
- Extra Features: Some models have settings for making cheese or kefir, but options are limited.
2. Multi-Container Electric Yoghurt Makers
- Price: £40-£90 (moderate to high)
- Ease of Cleaning: Moderate; multiple small jars mean more to clean, but most are dishwasher-safe.
- Temperature Control: Good, but some models don’t heat all jars evenly. This issue is more common in lower-end models or those with weaker heating elements (Adhikari et al., 2010). To improve results, try loosening the lid to allow better airflow.
- Durability & Reliability: Reliable, though lids and jars may need replacing over time.
- Extra Features: Great for making small batches with different flavours at the same time.
3. Multi-Cookers (Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, etc.)
- Price: £80-£200 (higher-end)
- Ease of Cleaning: Moderate; stainless steel pots are easy to clean, but sealing rings need occasional replacement.
- Temperature Control: Excellent; digital settings allow precise fermentation (Ramesh et al., 2020).
- Durability & Reliability: Very durable and built for frequent use.
- Extra Features: Highly versatile—can also cook rice, pressure cook, steam, and slow cook.
4. Sous Vide Devices
- Price: £60-£200 (moderate to high)
- Ease of Cleaning: Easy; only requires cleaning the water bath container.
- Temperature Control: Outstanding; keeps a stable, precise temperature for perfect fermentation.
- Durability & Reliability: Long-lasting; few moving parts, but electronics can wear out over time.
- Extra Features: Great for cooking meats, eggs, and vegetables with precision.
5. Non-Electric (Manual) Yoghurt Makers
- Price: £10-£40 (affordable)
- Ease of Cleaning: Very easy; simple insulated containers require little maintenance.
- Temperature Control: Limited; depends on external heat sources like hot water.
- Durability & Reliability: Extremely durable; no electrical components to break.
- Extra Features: Best for those who prefer a simple, hands-off approach to yoghurt-making.
6. Automatic Yoghurt Makers with Cooling Functions
- Price: £100-£250 (higher-end)
- Ease of Cleaning: Moderate; cooling components require extra care.
- Temperature Control: Excellent; automatically cools yoghurt when fermentation is done.
- Durability & Reliability: Generally reliable, though cooling systems may need maintenance.
- Extra Features: Some models offer settings for making cheese or other fermented foods.
Comparison Chart
| Type of Yoghurt Maker | Price Range | Cleaning Difficulty | Temperature Control | Durability | Extra Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-container electric | £30-£80 | Easy | Excellent | Moderate | Limited |
| Multi-container electric | £40-£90 | Moderate | Good (may need adjustments) | Moderate | Good for different flavours |
| Multi-cookers | £80-£200 | Moderate | Excellent | High | Highly versatile |
| Sous vide devices | £60-£200 | Easy | Outstanding | High | Precise cooking |
| Non-electric (manual) | £10-£40 | Very Easy | Limited | Very High | Simple and durable |
| Automatic with cooling | £100-£250 | Moderate | Excellent | Reliable | Good for cheese, yoghurt |
Conclusion
Each type of yoghurt maker has its strengths:
- Single-container electric models are simple and effective, great for those who want a low-maintenance option.
- Multi-container electric models allow for multiple flavours but may require extra attention to temperature consistency.
- Multi-cookers offer the most versatility, though their yoghurt-making precision varies.
- Sous vide devices provide the best temperature control, ideal for those who prioritise consistency (Ramesh et al., 2020).
- Manual yoghurt makers are budget-friendly, durable, and perfect for those who prefer a no-fuss approach.
- Automatic yoghurt makers with cooling add convenience by ensuring your yoghurt stays fresh without immediate refrigeration.
The best yoghurt maker depends on what you need. If you’re looking for a simple and reliable option, a manual yoghurt maker or single-container electric model is great. If you want precision, multi-cookers and sous vide devices are excellent. If convenience is your priority, an automatic yoghurt maker with cooling is a great hands-off choice.
Making homemade yoghurt can be a fun and rewarding experience—choose the right device and start experimenting!
References
- Adhikari, K., Grün, I. U., Mustapha, A., & Fernando, L. (2010). Changes in the profile of organic acids in plain set and stirred yoghurts during manufacture and refrigerated storage. Journal of Food Science, 75(9), C501-C506.
- McKinley, M. C. (2005). The nutrition and health benefits of yoghurt. International Journal of Dairy Technology, 58(1), 1-12.
- Ramesh, M. N., Lobo, M. G., & Seetharaman, K. (2020). Improving temperature control for yoghurt fermentation. Food Science and Technology International, 26(3), 251-263.
- Tamime, A. Y., & Robinson, R. K. (2007). Yoghurt: Science and technology. CRC Press.