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Yogurt is hailed as one of the most probiotic-rich foods on the market, but commercial varieties are often full of sugar and other undesirable ingredients that you want to stay away from. On the other hand, yogurt makers, which you can use to make your own yogurt from scratch in under 12 hours, allow you to control the ingredients and the flavors in your homemade yogurt. If you’re new to making yogurt at home, the process might seem intimidating, but it’s actually really easy, especially when you have a dedicated yogurt maker.
We made things even easier for you by rounding up the best yogurt makers below.
Best Overall: Euro Cuisine YM80 Electric Yogurt Maker
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Individually portioned jars
Can make seven different types of yogurt at once
Glass jars are non-toxic and dishwasher safe
Affordable
No timer or automatic shut-off
Numbers on the base seem pointless
Saving money doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice performance and the Euro Cuisine YM80 Yogurt Maker proves that. Like the more expensive Euro Cuisine model, this electric yogurt machine comes with seven 6-ounce glass containers that you can arrange in a 9.5 x 9.5 x 6-inch base to make 42 ounces of yogurt in one cycle.
On the front of the machine sits an on/off switch that controls an indicator light that lets you know when the machine is running. While there’s no digital display, there are time markings on the side that show you where your yogurt is in the fermentation cycle, which typically takes 6 to 10 hours with this machine.
One downside to the YM80 is that there’s no auto shut-off feature, so you’ll have to make sure you’re close by when your yogurt is done cooking so you can turn it off manually.
Best Multi-Function: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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Has an automatic yogurt function
Multi-purpose kitchen appliance
Pricier than other options
Large countertop footprint
Takes extra time to come to pressure
If you’re not a fan of single-function machines, the Instant Pot DUO60 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker may be your appliance of choice. The price tag is a little higher than others on this list, but instead of being a dedicated yogurt maker, it combines seven different appliances—yogurt maker, pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute pan, and warmer—in one.
If that seems intimidating, don’t worry. The IP-DUO60, as it’s called by its loyal fans, makes things easy for you with a “yogurt” button that’s pre-programmed to make the perfect homemade yogurt, every time. All you have to do is prepare your yogurt starter, add the starter and milk to your Instant Pot, and then choose the yogurt setting and let the pot do its work—a process that takes 8 to 12 hours, depending on how you like your yogurt.
Keep in mind that while you can successfully make yogurt with any Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, not all of them have the yogurt function. If that’s one of your main goals for this machine and you don’t want to have to figure it out yourself, make sure you’re getting the DUO60, which comes in 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart sizes.
Best for Different Flavors: Euro Cuisine YMX650 Automatic Digital Yogurt Maker
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Utilizes individual glass jars
Can make different flavors at one time
Auto temperature control and shut-off
Jars are small (6 ounces each)
Machine can run hot
The Euro Cuisine YMX650 Automatic Digital Yogurt Maker offers an easy way to get some variety in your homemade yogurt. Instead of utilizing one large container, the yogurt machine is designed to house seven individual glass jars so that you can mix flavors in advance and easily store them in your refrigerator until you’re ready to eat them.
After you heat up 42 ounces of milk, all you need to do is make your flavors, transfer equal amounts to each of the seven 6-ounce jars, and then turn it on and let it do its thing. The yogurt machine has an automatic 15-hour shut off and auto temperature control so there’s no need to monitor your yogurt as it cooks. Once the yogurt is ready, the blue LED digital timer will beep to let you know it’s time to transfer your yogurt to a cooler environment.
Best Design: Hamilton Beach Proctor Silex 86300 Yogurt Machine
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Fully automated
Container has a lid for easy storage
Sleek stainless steel design
Small container capacity
Only comes with one container
If you’re looking for a yogurt maker that does it all, your search ends with the Hamilton Beach Proctor Silex 86300. This machine features a LED display with a digital timer and push-button controls that you can use to turn the machine on or off and to adjust the fermentation time for your homemade yogurt.
During the 8- to 12-hour cycle, the yogurt ferments in a 32-ounce BPA-free plastic insert that also doubles as a storage container. When the yogurt is done fermenting, you simply pop the container out of the machine, cover it with the included top with snap-down clips, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to eat it.
Although it’s not the most compact yogurt machine on this list, at 7.48 x 7.56 x 9.13 inches, it’s still smaller than most and has a sleek black and stainless steel design that fits well into most kitchens. Even if you have limited counter or pantry space, you’ll likely be able to find somewhere to store it.
Best Compact: Euro Cuisine 2-Quart Greek Yogurt Maker
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Compact design
Can make up to 2 quarts at a time
Comes with thermometer and straining bag
No automatic functions
Heating element is on bottom (can make finished product inconsistent)
The Euro Cuisine Greek Yogurt maker was designed with limited counter space in mind. At 7.5 x 7.5 x 10.5 inches and 4 pounds, this yogurt machine packs a lot of function into a small design. It features a timer that you can use to monitor your yogurt fermentation process and a glass jar that fits snugly inside the outer compartment. And even though the Euro Cuisine yogurt machine is compact, it can make up to 2 quarts, or 8 cups, of yogurt at a time—the same amount as other bulkier models on this list.
As an added bonus, it comes with a stainless steel thermometer and a cotton bag that you can use to make Greek yogurt. It also comes in green, red, and white, so if you want to leave it on your counter, you can choose the option that best fits your kitchen aesthetic.
Best Non-Electric: Country Trading Co. Stainless Steel Yogurt Maker with 1 Quart Glass Jar
Easy to use
Compact design
Doesn’t need to be near an electrical outlet
Yogurt comes out a little too thin
Temperature can drop too quickly
On the other end of the spectrum sits the Culture Cupboard Stainless Steel Yogurt Maker, which combines function and simplicity in a low-tech—or really, no tech—design. This non-electric yogurt maker comes with a stainless steel flask and a one-quart glass jar with a lid. You make yogurt by heating your milk, mixing it with your starter, putting it in the glass jar and then securing it in the stainless steel flask, which is designed to hold on to heat for the 8 to 12 hours it takes to make the yogurt.
There are no buttons, no timers, and no fancy features, but it gets the job done with minimal effort. It also comes with a 42-page yogurt recipe book that guides you through making all types of yogurt from lactose-free to a 2 percent milk yogurt to non-dairy yogurt.
Best for Greek Yogurt: Oster Mykonos Greek Manual Yogurt Maker
Includes jars, lids, and plastic container
Easy to use
Affordable
Strainer is difficult to clean
Although you don’t need a yogurt machine that’s tailored specifically to Greek yogurt to make it—you can strain any yogurt through a cheesecloth to get the signature thickness of a Greek variety—this Oster Mykonos Greek Manual Yogurt Maker makes life a little easier.
All you have to do is mix your milk and starter cultures together, transfer the mix to the digital unit, which features an LCD display and timer, and then cook. Depending on the type of milk you use, the yogurt is usually ready within 10 to 12 hours, with no need for stirring as it goes.
Once the yogurt is made, you have the option to leave it as is or use the included Greek yogurt strainer, which turns the regular yogurt into a thicker, protein-rich Greek variety. And the Oster comes with everything you need, including a set of six 7-ounce glass jars with lids and one 32-ounce plastic container, to make regular yogurt or Greek yogurt in individual portions or larger batches.
If you don’t need to serve a crowd, there’s also a smaller, 1-quart option that has all the same features in a more compact size.
Our top recommendation is the Euro Cuisine YM80 (view at Amazon), which performed very well in our tests. It can make several different flavors at once, and it's budget-friendly, too. The Cuisinart Electronic Yogurt Maker is a high-tech alternative that also earned high marks (view at Amazon).
What to Look for in a Yogurt Maker
Size
How much yogurt your family eats and how much counter space and/or storage space you have will help determine how big of a yogurt maker you want. Also, some models make the yogurt in one large container, while others make it in individual containers, which may be more convenient depending on your preferences.
Features
Yogurt makers range from basic models to ones with all sorts of bells and whistles. Features like auto-shutoff and timers make the process easier, while adjustable temperature gauges allow you to get just the right consistency. Think about how hands-on you want to be to help determine which features may be most useful for you.
Versatility
Some yogurt makers do just that, while others can also make things like soup, stew, and other food. Some instant pots can make yogurt too, so if you’re trying to minimize the number of kitchen appliances you buy, that may be an option to consider.
FAQs
How does a yogurt maker work?
Yogurt makers are really simple to use. All you have to do is mix milk (either dairy or non) and starter or cultures, which are the probiotics that make yogurt, together. Then you pour the mixture into the yogurt machine’s containers and insert them into the machine. The machine turns the mixture into yogurt by keeping it heated at a low, consistent temperature for between four and eight hours, depending on the machine.
What is the best temperature to make yogurt?
When making yogurt, it’s best to keep the temperature between 100 and 115°F. This ensures that the yogurt has time to ferment, but that the bacteria (or cultures, as they’re often called) remain alive so they can make the yogurt properly and provide you with health benefits when you eat the yogurt.
How do you clean a yogurt maker?
The proper cleaning technique for a yogurt maker depends on the machine. Many of them are electrical appliances, so typically you’ll remove the glass or plastic containers from the machine, wash those separately (some of them are dishwasher-safe, so read the manufacturer’s instructions), and then wipe down the inside and outside of the yogurt machine with a damp cloth or sponge. Make sure to unplug the yogurt maker and allow it to fully cool down before you wash it.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Lindsay Boyers is a certified holistic nutritionist with extensive nutrition knowledge and cooking experience. She’s developed over 1,000 original recipes and is constantly on a mission to find the best cooking gadgets, at the best prices, to help make life in the kitchen more streamlined and efficient.
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