Is a yogurt maker worth it?

[chellebee]

I've tried 3x to make coconut milk yogurt. Major fail all 3 times. I used store bought coconut yogurt as a starter because I really didn't want to shell out $$$$ for a nearly everything-free starter. I used someone's instructions on here (kathy's maybe?) but no dice. The tapioca starch definitely got it thick, but it was not yogurt.

Anyway, I am on the fence about either ordering some starter and trying it again, or buying a yogurt maker.

So here's the deal. If I get a yogurt maker, try again and have another epic yogurt fail (and thus order the starter for next time) will I still be glad to have the yogurt maker? Is it worth it?

[emilysmama]

I want to know too. Except we can't have coconut milk. We tried with soy. I'd also like to know what kind of yogurt maker you have and why you like it.

[kjbrown92]

Mine's a EuroCuisine (I think) and I like it. I've definitely gotten my money's worth from my yogurt maker. Though if we could just use store-bought coconut yogurt, I probably wouldn't bother, but they've all got other ingredients in them that we can't have. I've never tried it with soy milk since we can't have soy (or almond milk either). Though I do like the fact that I don't use much sugar in it so that it can be sweet or savory (like as a sour cream substitute, and for dips).

[mamafish9]

I love mine. We made coconut yogurt (Kathy's recipe) weekly. Same coconut maker she has, I ordered it from GIPro Health along with the starter. WAY cheaper than the storebought coconut yogurt. I use it to make cow's milk yogurt now, although less regularly than before.

[chellebee]

Thanks! Sounds like a worthy investment...and really, so does the starter. I might just do them both after all.

[emilysmama]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

Mine's a EuroCuisine (I think) and I like it. I've definitely gotten my money's worth from my yogurt maker. Though if we could just use store-bought coconut yogurt, I probably wouldn't bother, but they've all got other ingredients in them that we can't have. I've never tried it with soy milk since we can't have soy (or almond milk either). Though I do like the fact that I don't use much sugar in it so that it can be sweet or savory (like as a sour cream substitute, and for dips).

That does it! Kathy's got a EuroCuisine, and the EuroCuisine rave reviews has someone who uses the exact same soy milk I use. Sign me up! We've been using Silk soy yogurt, but the ingredient list is longer than I like.

[keegans_mommy]

I have a YoGourmet yogurt maker and the dairy batches I have made with it have been excellent! I have yet to try a non-dairy type of yogurt but with the dairy I have added in a packet of knox gelatin to thicken it and let it ferment about twice as long as recommended.

I am interested in how almond milk or coconut milk turns out if somebody has successfully thickened it with gelatin as well. I am wanting to try that out so I can have yogurt again as well as my 2 year old son.