Nowadays, yoghurts can be made in slow cookers and ice cream makers, as the rush to make the ultimate all-in-one kitchen gadget intensifies. But if you want something smaller, dedicated and a lot more fun to use, a yoghurt maker is a must.
They are a great idea if you want to control the ingredients, whether you want to limit the sugar, go vegan on a budget, try your hand at kefir, or you have a fancy out-there flavour idea you (unsurprisingly) can’t find in the supermarket.
There isn’t a lot of choice out there, but a lot of the ones which are available are strong contenders for the best yoghurt maker around. You’ll need to consider size, capacity, the type of yoghurt you want and how easy it is to use, so we have reviewed the top picks right here.
The Best Yoghurt Makers – Our Top Picks
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Best Yoghurt Maker Machines
With this Lakeland model, you can create your own ordinary yoghurt or Greek yoghurt, or even soft cheese. It gives you a great amount of freedom when it comes to experimenting to get the end result perfect to your tastes. The 25-65°C temperature range and 1-99 hour time frame will allow you to adapt the consistency and will also help if you are using alternative ingredients, such as adding honey or using oat milk. Because you can adapt the temperature, it is the perfect machine for making kefir. Many others only have one or two temperature settings, which are too hot for making this fermented drink. This makes the Lakeland Multi Yoghurt one of the best machines for making kefir. Just set it to 25 degrees, and you’re good to go. There is a nice handy recipe book included, so if this is your first time at fresh yoghurt making, you have the perfect amount of guidance. The cream cheese recipe will appeal if you occasionally want something savoury too. It is also one of the few which will allow you to make a big single amount of yoghurt as opposed to little individual pots, which is fab if you’re using it for further cooking or want a dollop on your granola/in your smoothie every morning, yet the pot still fits nicely in the fridge. One of the best yoghurt makers around, both for experimenting further and making it easier than ever to make homemade dairy products If you still want to keep separate pots for portion control but need them to be on the larger side, this machine can provide you with 1600ml of storage split into four larger pots. The 24-hour digital timer keeps you in control and allows you to heat the yoghurt for as long as you require. You also get to choose between three temperature settings for incubation, either 36, 38 or 40 degrees C, which doesn’t sound like a lot but really could finely tune the taste. It could also make Greek or French set yoghurt much easier to make. Automatic switch off will help you out if you’re likely to lose track of time and leave the yoghurt in there for longer than you wished, as it will turn off and stop cooking until you rescue it. You can purchase further jars, or a pack of 4 x 300ml jars if you feel you’d like to have another set too. They’re easy to clean afterwards, as is the water bath if you wipe it out when it cools. The price looks higher on paper, but the quality and build are far superior to those half the cost. Even the jars are superior, with a handy date wheel on the lid to ensure the yoghurt isn’t kept any longer than it should be. One of the pricier options, but wins rave reviews for quality and an awful lot of other reviewers say they couldn’t live without it Able to make seven pots of fresh yoghurt in less than eight hours, this model is ideal if you are a fan of Lakeland but want individual servings as opposed to one large batch as with some of their other items. Just warm the milk, and stir in 100ml of plain yoghurt or the starter and leave the machine to work its magic. If you’re using whole milk, it will be done in eight hours. It can then be stored in the fridge in the pots for up to four days, there when you need it. Once you get the hang of it, it is simple enough to start experimenting with other flavours and contents, and you could even try something different within every single pot if you don’t like to eat the same thing day in, day out. There is more cleaning involved than with the single container model, and it also didn’t seem to be as reliable with temperature management. The middle jar sometimes didn’t get hot enough, but preheating the unit can help. For some of you, it is still going to be a much more logical approach to yoghurt making. Strong, quality product and finishes the job in a great time. Good that you don’t have to use all seven jars at once Definitely one of the more ‘out there’ when it comes to the looks, which we love. And it is still easy to make your own fresh yoghurt the way you like it. In most cases, yoghurt can be made in around 8-12 hours, but this model gives you the freedom to set the timer anywhere between 1-24 hours. This will allow for thicker consistencies, more ability to use milk such as oats or soya, and also give it that little bit of extra time if needed, and will also allow you to make it for as long as possible if you want to ferment it. You get eight 125ml pots, which is one more than with other machines but they are also smaller than those of other machines. This could be a great idea for anyone who uses yoghurt as more of an addition to cooking or breakfasts (in curry/on top of muesli) as opposed to the main part of a meal. It also gives you a total of 1L of yoghurt if you want to pop it all together. The pots are ceramic, so they are nice and strong and stay cool if refrigerated, and they come with lids to keep the contents safe. The goods can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days if airtight, and the pots and lids are dishwasher safe. The overall machine is lightweight so easy to move around the kitchen, and the power cable completely comes out of the back of the unit, so it doesn’t get in the way when you go to store it. You get a lot of freedom, and overall it is easy to set up and get going You are a yoghurt and home cook fanatic. You have two of every dish, pan and mould so when one is resting, you can whip up the next one without having to wash a dish. This may be the yoghurt maker for you, then. Despite the fact it can only hold one set of seven jars at any one time, you get fourteen with the purchase, so you have enough to go again as soon as the first ones are done. The yoghurt can be ready in between six and twelve hours, and there is a rotating countdown clock to remind you of how many hours have elapsed, which is different to the other digital means of control and fab for anyone who likes the more retro approach. Simple, but will appeal to those who love to have a rolling stock in their fridge and on the go A nice starter kit with everything included if you haven’t the faintest idea of what you’d have to do to get perfect yoghurt. With the pack, there is one sachet of Greek-Style, and one of Strawberry Yogurt Mix which it is safe to say are two of the most popular. You also get a 1kg Yogurt Maker and 1kg Jar, which will make roughly one litre of yoghurt. It is definitely the smallest in terms of footprint, so great if you don’t have a lot of space or just want something which you can bring out every so often for a fun weekend of cooking with the kids. This isn’t to say it isn’t suitable for those who will be using it every day though – it is strong and able to withstand frequent use. The price is on the lower side, and you don’t use electricity to make the yoghurt which also saves on bills and your eco footprint. The reason it is at the bottom of our list is that you must use the EasiYo sachets to make the yoghurt, as opposed to plain yoghurt or milk such as coconut or soya. This makes them inappropriate for anyone needing milk-free alternatives or who already has their favourite way to make yoghurt. More restrictive than the other models, but if you’re happy to use the sachets and want the easiest approach to yoghurt making, it is a great introductionLakeland Multi Yogurt and Soft Cheese Maker
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Luvele Pure Yoghurt Maker
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Lakeland 7-Cup Electric Yoghurt Maker
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Duronic Yoghurt Maker YM2
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Severin JG 3519 Yoghurt Maker
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EasiYo Homemade Yoghurt Making Kit
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Yoghurt Maker Buying Guide
Temperature Range
40-43 °C is seen as the optimum temperature to make yoghurt, so many models will reach this temperature and remain constant until the yoghurt is made.
But if you want to make other forms of yoghurt, such as Greek or French Press, you may need a temperature choice.
Batch Size
Most makers out there can make between 1L and 2L at one time, but this can come in the form of one big pot or several smaller pots.
The former is great if you have a single flavour you always make, and use the yoghurt for a variety of things (one day it is with breakfast, then some in a smoothie, and the rest as a tzatziki dip). This means you can use as much as you need, and the rest can still be there for when you need it.
The latter is good if you focus on portion control, and generally use the same amount for the same thing (such as serving on your cereal or alongside your toast in the mornings). It could also help if you want to make a few different flavours at once.
Timer
Again, a hit and miss subject. Some will allow you to set a timer, and they will alert you when that time is up so you can go and sort everything out. Others will leave you to time it yourself, and use the good old ‘check regularly’ method.
You may also wish to buy a model which automatically switches off after said time, especially if you are leading a busy life and can’t guarantee you’ll be there at a moments notice to switch it off manually. This is usually a specification only found in the higher end models.
Price
This varies, but not overly dramatically. The majority of models can be bought for under £50, but there will be a few fancier models with plenty of extra functions which go beyond this. How much you’re willing to pay should depend on your needs as well as your budget.
Cleaning
It is going to be a disaster if dairy such as yoghurt remains on your pots after cleaning. Plus, it will make you less likely to use if you dread the washing up afterwards.
Many pots are dishwasher safe, and then it is a simple task of just wiping the bath. Check nobody has complained about the cleaning before you buy.
FAQ’s
Why Should I Make My Own Yoghurt?
There are loads of reasons why homemade yoghurt wins the battle between homemade and store bought:
- Eat Cleaner – There are no E Numbers, and you know what exactly is going into the goods and leave out artificial sugars, sweeteners, colours, and flavours, as well as thickeners such as pectin
- Cheaper – One pot of yoghurt/a live culture can be stretched to make several pots, which will save you a lot of money in the long term. This is particularly applicable if you are adventurous with your yoghurts, such as using milk alternatives or different flavours which are expensive in the supermarket
- Less Waste – By making your own yoghurt at home in reusable tubs, you are helping to cut down on your single-use plastic consumption.
Can I Make Yoghurt With Milk Alternatives?
Look for a maker which offers adaptable temperatures and timings. You may need to let your yoghurt prepare for longer and at slightly lower or higher temperatures if you use thinner or non-dairy milk, such as coconut or even just skimmed milk.
Can I Make Kefir In A Yoghurt Maker?
Again, you’ll need a maker which offers alternative temperatures. Most are too hot for kefir, so try to get a machine which goes down to a lower temperature of around 30 degrees to allow a longer fermentation.
Can I Make Frozen Yoghurt In A Yoghurt Maker?
Most makers will only prepare ordinary yoghurt, but this mix can then be frozen accordingly. Check whether the pots are freezer suitable – you may have to transfer the yoghurt to a suitable container first.