Yogurt incubator

[Alice In TX/MO]

This topic comes up regularly, so I decided to post pics of my yogurt "maker."

I use a styrofoam ice chest that measures 15" x 13". It's 11" tall.

Four quarts of milk/culture fit nicely inside. The blue thing is an electric heating pad.

I use a turkey fryer thermometer stuck through the lid to monitor temperature.

[Gaby Rose]

Thanks Alice! I've been wondering how people are making yogurt.

[Shayanna]

hope you dont mind me pitching in, but when i take the jars out of their hot water bath (at 185) and set them on the counter to cool i keep the water on the stove and let that cool too.. once the milk gets to about 110-130, i add the yogurt for cultures and put them in a thick styrofoam cooler like yours and pour the water around them. when i get around to checking on them about 14 hours later, it still felt like a mini sauna in there. i didnt use a thermometer in the cooler at all. it might have made a difference though that i only did 2 qts in a more compact cooler.

[Alice In TX/MO]

My very simple instructions of the process:

1. Heat fresh goat milk to 180 degrees in big pot.
2. Put pot in sink of cool water and lower milk temp to 115 or so.
3. Stir in culture (www.cheesemaking.com) or a quarter cup of your last batch.
4. Pour into jars, put lids on jars, put jars in box, turn on heating pad, put on lid.
5. Check in four hours. Add a couple of hours if it's not thick enough.
6. Refrigerate.

[prairiedog]

Our roaster oven works great too.

[GoatJunkie]

I am going to be trying this ASAP. Thanks for the pics, the idea about piercing the lid with a thermometer, and the instructions!

[Alice In TX/MO]

I don't have a roaster oven.

[ksalvagno]

Thanks for the tips. I needed some tips since my yogurt has not turned out well so far.

[Backfourty,MI.]

Thanks Alice for the Step by step instructions, I definitely need those. I eat a lot of yogurt & when My Daisey finally freshens I would love to make some! Do you add any sweetner or fruits to yours?

[Alice In TX/MO]

I don't add anything while it is incubating. I eat it with bananas sometimes. My homemade no grain granola. Etc.

[jcatblum]

Just a note-- some heating pads turn off after x amount of time. Use one that isn't digital with the auto shut-off.

Ask pet stores for foam coolers. Fish arrive in them, so they often have a few extras to share.

[bknthesdle]

Thanks for instructions! I can't wait to try it! How much milk do you start with Alice?