Apart from the Yogourmet Multi yogurt maker, Canadian company Lyo-San also manufactures a range of other related nutritional products. The company has been operating for 25 years.
Lyo-San Inc, based in Lachute, Quebec, is perhaps best known for its yophilization (or freeze drying) of a number of different types of food. It markets an impressive range of freeze-dried meals under the name Outdoor Gourmet Plein Air to outdoor recreation sports enthusiasts.
Lyo-San also manufacture a range of yogurt making products under the Yogourmet name.
The Yogourmet Multi system is the centerpiece of the product range. The system comes with the incubator (which maintains the milk at the correct temperature during fermentation), an inner container which holds the ingredients during incubation and a stainless steel thermometer. The Yogourmet yogurt maker makes one or two quarts per batch. Also included is a cotton bag which can be used to make yogurt cheese.
And bringing Lyo-San's expertize in yophilization into the Yogourmet range we come to the freeze-dried starter products including the Casei Bifidus Acidophilus starter and the Kéfir starter.
The Casei Bifidus Acidophilus starter contains additional probiotic dairy cultures to those contained in the regular starter. According to Lyo-San, the Yogourmet Multi is the only yogurt maker with a heating pattern suitable for use with this starter. Apparently the unit gradually raises the temperature over a number of hours.
Showing posts with label Yogourmet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yogourmet. Show all posts
Yogourmet Multi Electric Yogurt Maker
The Yogourmet Yogurt Maker provides yet another subtle variation in it's method of making yogurt. It strikes me as a kind of a hybrid between the other electric yogurt makers which are currently on the market and the ones which don't use electricity like the Yogotherm and Easiyo yogurt makers.
While the Yogourmet model does use electricity, it also uses water as the medium to transfer heat from the heating element in the incubator to the fermenting milk and other ingredients in the inner vessel and to maintain an adequate temperature. Using water is said to provide even and stable heat distribution and addresses a concern raised about a couple of Yogourmet's competitors - that of uneven heat distribution.
Yogurt can be made in batch sizes of one or two quarts using this machine. When finished the inner container can be removed and placed in the refrigerator, and provided it's sealed with the lid (provided) should keep for up to 3 weeks.
The Yogourmet Multi yogurt maker gets mostly positive reviews. Most customers are very happy with the product and say it's easy to use and easy to clean afterward as well.
Another feature which got the thumbs up was the large single container used in this machine. A number of consumers have said they like the large single container as they are sick of having to mess around with all of the smaller individual jars used by some of Yogourmet's competitors.
One of the few concerns raised with this machine is that some customers have had problems with the lid 'blowing off'. The theory is that the gasses produced during fermentation in combination with the air-tight seal on the lid of the incubator result in enough pressure inside the container for the lid to pop right off during operation.
Another criticism was the difficulty experienced in removing the inner container from the incubator once fermentation is complete. Apparently there is a trick to getting it out without dropping or spilling it. A couple of people described the need to hold onto the edge of the rim to avoid such mishaps.
But as I've said already, the vast majority of consumers appear happy with their choice and would recommend it to others.
The Yogourmet electric yogurt maker comes with the following:
While the Yogourmet model does use electricity, it also uses water as the medium to transfer heat from the heating element in the incubator to the fermenting milk and other ingredients in the inner vessel and to maintain an adequate temperature. Using water is said to provide even and stable heat distribution and addresses a concern raised about a couple of Yogourmet's competitors - that of uneven heat distribution.
Yogurt can be made in batch sizes of one or two quarts using this machine. When finished the inner container can be removed and placed in the refrigerator, and provided it's sealed with the lid (provided) should keep for up to 3 weeks.
The Yogourmet Multi yogurt maker gets mostly positive reviews. Most customers are very happy with the product and say it's easy to use and easy to clean afterward as well.
Another feature which got the thumbs up was the large single container used in this machine. A number of consumers have said they like the large single container as they are sick of having to mess around with all of the smaller individual jars used by some of Yogourmet's competitors.
One of the few concerns raised with this machine is that some customers have had problems with the lid 'blowing off'. The theory is that the gasses produced during fermentation in combination with the air-tight seal on the lid of the incubator result in enough pressure inside the container for the lid to pop right off during operation.
Another criticism was the difficulty experienced in removing the inner container from the incubator once fermentation is complete. Apparently there is a trick to getting it out without dropping or spilling it. A couple of people described the need to hold onto the edge of the rim to avoid such mishaps.
But as I've said already, the vast majority of consumers appear happy with their choice and would recommend it to others.
The Yogourmet electric yogurt maker comes with the following:
- The incubator unit
- An dishwasher safe inner container made from polypropylene with accompanyong air-tight lid to allow for storage of your finished product in the regrigerator
- A stainless steel thermometer
- An instruction manual including recipes
- A one year warranty
What Is The Best Yogurt Maker For Your Needs?
In this article I'll discuss some of the factors you'll need to consider when choosing the best yogurt maker for your individual requirements. As with most things, there is no universal 'one size fits all' solution. But you'll find a long list of manufacturers lining up to sell you their product. Brands like Salton, Yogourmet, Donvier, Easiyo, Waring, Yolife, Yogotherm and Euro Cuisine, among others, are all vying for your consumer dollar as they strive to convince you their product offers to clearest path the home made yogurt nirvana.
So, what should you look at as you compare yogurt maker features?
One Quart Or Two?
One of the first things you'll need to consider is how much yogurt you need to make in each batch. This will obviously depend on how much you consume. How many people live in your household? Does the whole family eat yogurt? You'll also want to think about how fresh you like it and how often you want to make it.
Consumer level yogurt making machines on the market right now vary in capacity anywhere between 1 quart and 2 quarts with most being towards the lower end of that range. I recently wrote about the Yogourmet Multi yogurt maker which has a capacity of up to 2 quarts.
Individual Jars Or Single Container?
Closely related to the capity question is that of configuration. That is, how many containers are used for fermentation and how big are they? The most common configurations are either 6 to 8 single serve jars or a single larger capacity container.
The benefits of the smaller containers (normally 6 ounce jars) are that you can use different ingredients or different starter cultures all within the same batch. This can be handy if you need to cater to different family members with different tastes.
But just keep in mind that the practicality of using different ingredients may be another matter entirely. You may find it too much mess and fuss to mix up two or more different mixtures every time you want to make yogurt.
The other advantage of individual small containers is that most are designed to go straight into the refrigerator and come with lids so that they can be packed into lunches or taken with you for a healthy ready-made snack.
However, if you just want to make one type per batch then a single larger container might be for you. One of the problems reported by some buyers of yogurt makers which use smaller jars is that sometimes the heat is not maintained consistently across all of the jars. With a single container, this should be less of an issue.
But if you want the best of both worlds, Waring may be the answer you're looking for. The Waring YM350 Professional Yogurt Maker comes with jars in both 8 ounce and 16 ounce capacities.
And for something different again, you could try the Miracle Milk Carton yogurt maker. As the name suggests, fermentation takes place directly within the milk carton. You can read more about this model at the link above.
Frozen Yogurt Anyone?
The last thing to consider before we leave the topic of fermentation and storage containers is whether they are freezer-safe. The Salton YM9 Yogurt Maker, for example, ships with an internal fermentation vessel which is rated as freezer safe. This means that you can transfer the container straight from the incubator to the refrigerator or the freezer (after allowing the contents to cool a little of course). A number of other models also offer this feature.
Do You Want An Electric Yogurt Maker?
In order to ferment milk safely and with good results, the incubator needs to maintain a constant and consistent temperature throughout the milk and other ingredients during fermentation. Most of the manufacturers use electricity to create and maintain the heat required, however the Easiyo unit is a notable exception to this rule.
The Easiyo yogurt maker instead uses boiling water added once at the beginning to maintain heat throughout fermentation. Because the incubator is insulated, the heat from the boiling water maintains the temperature without the need for electricity. I haven't worked out what the cost of running an electric yogurt machine is for 10 - 12 hours so I don't know what the potential cost savings are, but it may be worth considering.
One of the features offered by some of the electronic yogurt makers is a timer (with or without automatic shutoff). The timer is a useful option as it reminds you that incubation is complete and the finished product is ready. However, be aware that while some models offer a proper digital timer which counts down then beeps at the end of the set time, others just have a dial or other system which lets you set the time you put it on just as a reminder. There is no countdown or alarm.
While the auto-shutoff feature offered on some of the best rated yogurt maker models seems like quite a practical feature, in reality some consumers don't find it that useful. Because the machine stays warm even after the power is switched off and because the milk continues to ferment during this time, some people find they need to remove the yogurt immediately anyway. Otherwise the result not to their liking - too tart in flavor.
Hopefully by now you'll have an appreciation of some of the bells and whistles you can expect to find and which ones really matter. Remember, the best yogurt maker is the one which suits your needs.
So, what should you look at as you compare yogurt maker features?
One Quart Or Two?
One of the first things you'll need to consider is how much yogurt you need to make in each batch. This will obviously depend on how much you consume. How many people live in your household? Does the whole family eat yogurt? You'll also want to think about how fresh you like it and how often you want to make it.
Consumer level yogurt making machines on the market right now vary in capacity anywhere between 1 quart and 2 quarts with most being towards the lower end of that range. I recently wrote about the Yogourmet Multi yogurt maker which has a capacity of up to 2 quarts.
Individual Jars Or Single Container?
Closely related to the capity question is that of configuration. That is, how many containers are used for fermentation and how big are they? The most common configurations are either 6 to 8 single serve jars or a single larger capacity container.
The benefits of the smaller containers (normally 6 ounce jars) are that you can use different ingredients or different starter cultures all within the same batch. This can be handy if you need to cater to different family members with different tastes.
But just keep in mind that the practicality of using different ingredients may be another matter entirely. You may find it too much mess and fuss to mix up two or more different mixtures every time you want to make yogurt.
The other advantage of individual small containers is that most are designed to go straight into the refrigerator and come with lids so that they can be packed into lunches or taken with you for a healthy ready-made snack.
However, if you just want to make one type per batch then a single larger container might be for you. One of the problems reported by some buyers of yogurt makers which use smaller jars is that sometimes the heat is not maintained consistently across all of the jars. With a single container, this should be less of an issue.
But if you want the best of both worlds, Waring may be the answer you're looking for. The Waring YM350 Professional Yogurt Maker comes with jars in both 8 ounce and 16 ounce capacities.
And for something different again, you could try the Miracle Milk Carton yogurt maker. As the name suggests, fermentation takes place directly within the milk carton. You can read more about this model at the link above.
Frozen Yogurt Anyone?
The last thing to consider before we leave the topic of fermentation and storage containers is whether they are freezer-safe. The Salton YM9 Yogurt Maker, for example, ships with an internal fermentation vessel which is rated as freezer safe. This means that you can transfer the container straight from the incubator to the refrigerator or the freezer (after allowing the contents to cool a little of course). A number of other models also offer this feature.
Do You Want An Electric Yogurt Maker?
In order to ferment milk safely and with good results, the incubator needs to maintain a constant and consistent temperature throughout the milk and other ingredients during fermentation. Most of the manufacturers use electricity to create and maintain the heat required, however the Easiyo unit is a notable exception to this rule.
The Easiyo yogurt maker instead uses boiling water added once at the beginning to maintain heat throughout fermentation. Because the incubator is insulated, the heat from the boiling water maintains the temperature without the need for electricity. I haven't worked out what the cost of running an electric yogurt machine is for 10 - 12 hours so I don't know what the potential cost savings are, but it may be worth considering.
One of the features offered by some of the electronic yogurt makers is a timer (with or without automatic shutoff). The timer is a useful option as it reminds you that incubation is complete and the finished product is ready. However, be aware that while some models offer a proper digital timer which counts down then beeps at the end of the set time, others just have a dial or other system which lets you set the time you put it on just as a reminder. There is no countdown or alarm.
While the auto-shutoff feature offered on some of the best rated yogurt maker models seems like quite a practical feature, in reality some consumers don't find it that useful. Because the machine stays warm even after the power is switched off and because the milk continues to ferment during this time, some people find they need to remove the yogurt immediately anyway. Otherwise the result not to their liking - too tart in flavor.
Hopefully by now you'll have an appreciation of some of the bells and whistles you can expect to find and which ones really matter. Remember, the best yogurt maker is the one which suits your needs.
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