Yogurt is a healthy source of most of the vital nutrients such as protein and calcium. Many users prefer making yogurt at their home to make sure that there are no extra or processed ingredients that can be harmful to your health.
To make yogurt at home, you will need a good quality yogurt maker. Before buying a yogurt maker, you should consider these factors.
Capacity:
The capacity of a yogurt maker varies from 0.75 liters to 1.5 liters. You can select a size depending on the number of members in your family. If you live in a joint family or if there are more than 4 people in your house, you might have to buy a yogurt maker with a higher capacity.
Preparation Time:
While some models of yogurt makers take about four to five hours to make a batch of yogurt, others can take about 12 hours to finish the task. If you don’t want to wait for so long, you can buy a yogurt maker that takes relatively lesser time and finishes the work quickly.
Types of containers, ease of use, and auto shut off are some additional factors that play a huge role in deciding the quality of a yogurt maker. You can learn more about them in the buying guide below.
To help you buy a yogurt maker, we have shortlisted some of the best options available in the market. Let’s have a look!
Best yogurt Makers in India
| ITEM | CAPACITY | WARRANTY | POWER | BUY NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSR Yoghurt Maker | 1 Litre | 6 Months | 15 Watts | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Prestige Yoghurt Maker | 1.4 Litre | 1 Year | 15 Watts | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Kitchenif Yoghurt Maker | 1.5 Litre | 1 Year | 10 Watts | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Warmex Electric Yogurt Maker | --- | 1 Year | 20 Watts | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Gocart Yoghurt Maker | 0.75 Litre | No Warranty | 15 Watts | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Libra Yoghurt Maker | 1 Litre | 1 Year | 15 Watts | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Goodway Yoghurt Maker | 0.8 Litre | No Warranty | 15 Watts | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| LALA Life Yoghurt Maker | 0.75 Litre | N.A | 15 Watts | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Best 7 Yogurt Makers in India 2020
1. HSR 1Litre Yogurt Maker
Compact and reliable are the two terms that fit perfectly for this amazing product by HSR. This automatic yogurt maker takes the top spot on our list as it is easy to use and provides the best quality yogurt irrespective of the climatic conditions.
The seal-tight lid keeps the yogurt fresh and free from contamination for about three weeks. Apart from possessing a double seal fermentation mechanism, the maker is energy and cost-efficient. It consumes only about 15 watts of power while the reusable container helps in reducing disposable waste.
Notable Features:
- Power consumption: 15 Watts
- Triple thermostatic system
- High-temperature resistance
- Capacity: 1 L
- Stainless steel liner
- Dishwasher safe parts
Verdict:
All one needs to do is pour the desired amount of milk in the stainless steel liner with the starter culture, switch on the yogurt maker and let it run for around 8 hours/ overnight. One can even use your own steel vessel or liner. It is easy to use, clean and store. Quite handy when the weather conditions are not friendly! It does produce a good quality set curd, however, the plastic quality can get an upgrade.
Pros:
- Low maintenance
- Dishwasher friendly
- Energy efficient
- Compact and well-engineered
- Pocket-friendly
Cons:
- Low quality plastic casing
2. Prestige 1.4Litre Yogurt Maker
This multipurpose device not only serves you the best yogurt but also allows you to easily prepare seven different curd items at once. It is a revolutionary product as claimed by Prestige and thus takes up the second position on our list.
The product is defined by a sturdy plastic base that houses the on/off switch. 7 ultra-durable glass jars form the activity centre. Given the number of glass jars it fits, it unmistakably holds a large capacity (1.4 litres). It also comes with a transparent plastic cover to keep the product free from dust, grime and any other form of contamination.
Notable Features:
- 7 ultra-durable glass jars with lids
- Capacity: 1.4 litres
- 1-year warranty
Verdict:
It is undoubtedly one of the best yogurt makers available in the market. The jars allow you to ferment any flavour, type and amount of yogurt one desire. The design of the maker is stylish and attractive. The compact maker requires only a small fraction of the kitchen slab. One can even substitute the jars with a single clay pot or a borosil vessel.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Flexibility to use any number of jars
- Can make different flavours of yogurt simultaneously
- Takes about only 6 hours
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Requires boiled and cooled milk
3. Kitchenif 1.5Litre Yogurt Maker
This digital frozen yogurt maker is the next product on our list as it also doubles as an ice cream maker. Given its large capacity and automatic function keys, this digital yogurt maker has all the modern features required for processing fresh and healthy fermented products.
Customers are highly advised to freeze the bowl for at least 2 hours before using it to churn the ice cream or frozen yogurt. A small rotor at the back uses a considerable amount of power to churn yogurt. All one needs to do is set the predetermined factors and let the fully automatic digital frozen yogurt maker churn its magic.
Notable Features:
- Digital timer and auto shut off feature
- Capacity: 1.5 litres
- Sturdy and durable parts
- Double insulated bowl
Verdict:
This automatic ice cream and yogurt maker is an amazing product for those who like consuming fresh, healthy and preservative-free nutriments. It is a silent machine with an auto shut off feature. The only concern is with freezing the bowl. It takes up a lot of time and is a crucial step as it prevents the mixture from sticking onto it and as well as gives a soft swirl texture to the ice cream/yogurt.
Pros:
- Low maintenance
- Fully automatic and easy to handle
- Works silently
- Compact and sturdy build
Cons:
- Expensive
4. Warmex Home Appliances Glass Electric Yogurt Maker
The next product on our list is Warmex Home Appliances Glass Electric Yogurt Maker. If you want to prepare yogurt at home with equal distribution for everyone in the family, then this is the right choice for you.
Comparing it with the Prestige Yogurt maker, it has 8-individual jars in 20 W power consumption. Also, it is within budget. But Prestige takes only 6-hours to make curd whereas, Warmex requires overnight.
The unique structure of the yogurt maker separates the individual bottles for equal heat distribution, which will help in maintaining the activation of Lactobacillus bacteria for curd conversion.
The PTC heating element of the machine is safe for operation as it consumes low power. The design pack includes 8-glass jars for making the fermented yogurt.
Notable Features
- Portable and durable
- Power Consumption: 20 watts
- 8-durable glass jars
- PTC Heating element
- Low power consumption
- Dishwash safe
Verdict: The device is easy to maintain as you have you to remove the plug after use. Wash the appliances when it cools down. So, it will remain safe and durable. Do not use any flammable item near the machine.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Easy to use
- Energy efficient
- Portable
- 1-year warranty + 3-months additional warranty
Cons
- Water leakage from the chamber
- Heats the milk and curd too much
5. Gocart 750ml Yogurt Maker
Similar to our first stainless steel product, this automatic yogurt maker takes the same concept and design into account but holds the capacity for much lesser quantity. Which is why it takes the fourth place on our guide!
Pour down the fresh milk with your starter culture into the steel liner and place it in the plastic shell. Switch on the device and let it function for 8-9 hours/overnight. The compact design of the maker does not occupy much space in your kitchen and thus works as a handy product that can even be carried around from one place to another while travelling.
Notable features:
- Moderately priced
- Portable and durable
- Capacity: 750 ml
- Dishwasher safe
- Power consumption: 15 Watts
Verdict:
Simple, durable and pocket-friendly! This automatic stainless steel yogurt maker is a boon to the households that face the wrath of unfavourable climatic conditions. The product consumes less power and holds enough capacity to make yogurt for a family of 2-3 people. Although it is user-friendly, a bigger power cord would be even better.
Pros:
- Portable
- Easy to handle
- Dishwasher safe
- Energy efficient
- Does not burn a hole in the pocket
Cons:
- Short power cord
6. Libra 1000Ml Yogurt Maker
Following our traditional yogurt maker is this fully automatic, high-temperature resistance appliance from Libra that keeps you tension free in every harsh weather conditions.
The appliance is tastefully designed and comes with a single stainless steel liner as well as 4 glass jars of 150 ml capacity to give you the option of fermenting four different flavoured yogurts at once. The transparent plastic cover keeps the contents free from contamination.
Notable Features:
- Power consumption: 15 Watts
- Capacity: steel liner- 1000 ml
- Glass jars- 150 ml
- 4 durable glass jars
- Digital control panel
Verdict:
Very aesthetically designed product! It does provide what it preaches. The digital control panel holds all the necessary features required for a simple process of making yogurt. However, it does not have a memory feature. You will have to set it each and every time you decide to use it. The multifunctional feature of the appliance is an added bonus. Ideal for making yogurt of different flavours at once or in small quantities!
Pros:
- Affordable
- Multifunctional
- Digital features
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- No memory function
7. Goodway 800Ml Yogurt Maker
Built out of FDA certified plastic, this compact and high-temperature resistant yogurt maker is a one-stop solution for all your yogurt and lassi problems. This particular product comes with FDA approved virgin plastic and also gives you the option to warm milk for the kids.
It is compact, portable, low on maintenance and easy to handle. It works on a simple principle and gets the work done perfectly.
Notable Features:
- Pocket-friendly price
- Capacity: 800 ml
- Power: 15 Watts
- High temperature resistant
Verdict:
Simple and portable, this yogurt maker from Goodway works very well in places where climatic conditions do not allow the yogurt to set naturally. Use of warm milk is recommended for thick curd. The liner looks a bit flimsy. It could use a bit of an upgrade. Apart from such small inconsequential claim, the maker is a good appliance to own.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Makes sufficient amount of curd within a few hours
- Energy efficient
- Easy to handle
- Portable
Cons:
- Not a sturdy build
8. LALA Life 750Ml Yogurt Maker
The next appliance entering the competition is the Lala Life, multifunctional electric yogurt maker. This yogurt maker follows the principle as of its predecessors to make a soft swirl or a thick curd depending upon the number of hours to leave it on.
The product is high temperature resistant. Even though it automatically adjusts its temperature accordingly, it is quite energy efficient.
Notable Features:
- High-temperature resistance
- Capacity: 750 ml
- Power consumption: 15 Watts
- Hygienic and healthy
- Dishwasher safe
Verdict:
One can easily sit back and relax when the yogurt maker is on without having to worry about the temperature, time and contamination. Add milk at any temperature and be sure to get healthy and tasty probiotic yogurt.
Pros:
- Easy to handle
- Affordable
- Thick and durable
Cons:
- A bit slow
What to Look For In a Good Yogurt Maker
While shopping for a good quality yogurt maker, here are some of the most important factors that you must check for.
1. Capacity:
Capacity is one of the most significant factors that you should check before buying a yogurt maker. You must select a capacity that will be perfect according to the size of your family as well as the volume of yogurt that you want to make.
If you have a large family, you should prefer buying a yogurt maker with a higher capacity. Or else, if people in your family prefer eating yogurt on a daily basis, you should buy a machine that can make larger batches of yogurt.
However, if the consumption of yogurt by you or your family is not much, making yogurt in large quantities might not be a good choice as it gets spoiled after a while. Thus, you must select the size accordingly.
2. Automation Function:
Most of the yogurt makers are designed in a way that all you have to do is set all the ingredients in the machine and then leave the rest to the machine. The machines are fully automated. Hence, once you turn on the power button, the yogurt maker takes full control of the preparation process.
There are a few models of yogurt makers that are not fully automated. In such cases, you will have to set the timer, temperature, and the power at which you want to make the yogurt.
3. Preparation Time:
Some yogurt makers take around 4 to 5 hours to make a batch of yogurt. There are some other models that take up to 12 hours to do the same. If you don’t want to wait for a long time, you can choose a model that can make the yogurt quickly.
4. Flexible Design:
Some brands focus solely on making a yogurt maker that is flexible. There are some models of yogurt makers that allow you to make small batches of yogurt in the flavors that you prefer. In such machines, you can make yogurt in about 5 to 6 different flavors at a time in small jars.
In some models, you can even prepare both small and bigger batches of yogurt at a time. You can choose a machine depending on how flexible you want it to be in terms of both designs as well as performance.
5. Temperature Settings:
Different types of yogurt require different temperatures that are ideal for the fermentation. There are some advanced yogurt makers available in the market that allows you to select the temperature. Some other models feature only a preset temperature that mostly works for all types of yogurt.
The adjustable temperature feature is not a very common feature in home yogurt makers. You will usually find this feature on commercial models of yogurt makers as professionals know it better how a minor change in temperature can affect the overall fermentation and preparation process.
However, if you want to make yogurt in your preferred way, you must look for a machine with adjustable temperature settings.
6. Ease of Cleaning:
Before buying a yogurt maker, you should even check whether the machine is easy to clean or not. As there are a lot of ingredients required to make yogurt, the chances of these ingredients sticking to the machine or storing cups are very high. Hence, it is very important to buy a machine that will be easy to clean after preparing yogurt.
You can buy a model that comes with removable pots. These pots are dishwasher safe and hence, easy to clean. Most of the yogurt makers and machines come with removable parts such as containers, pots, and jars. You can put them straight away in the dishwasher and clean them conveniently.
Apart from the containers, you should also check whether the base of the machine is easy to wipe after use or not.
Some yogurt makers even feature LCD screens that come with touchpads rather than the standalone buttons for all the settings. This makes it easier to clean the outside surface of the yogurt maker.
Note:
As yogurt uses dairy products as well as active enzymes, you must remember to sterilize all the parts regularly. If you don’t do so, you will end up spoiling the future batches of yogurt because of the remaining particles of the older batch of yogurt.
7. Ease of Use:
If you are making yogurt for the first time, it is better to buy a model that can take care of the entire process by itself. But, if you know how to make yogurt, you can always try new recipes and experiment with different ingredients or textures.
Depending on your skills or interest, you should buy a yogurt maker that will meet all your requirements.
8. Container Types and Sizes:
The size of the batch in which you want to make the yogurt will help you in determining what kind of container the yogurt should be stored after finishing the preparation process.
Large batches of yogurt makers usually have bigger and lidded plastic containers that can be used directly to store yogurt in the fridge.
Single serving yogurt makers often have a partitioned glass tray that can be used to make and store the yogurt. However, you might not get a proper lid along with these trays for convenient storage.
9. Type of Yogurt:
While finalizing a yogurt maker, you might have to consider whether you want to buy a machine that can make regular yogurt or Greek yogurt.
Greek yogurt usually tastes a bit more sour than regular yogurt. Hence, according to many studies, Greek yogurt is considered as a healthier option.
Some users wish to buy a machine that can be used to make soft cheese as well. While there are a few models of yogurt makers that are very versatile, some other machines function as a standard yogurt maker.
10. Auto Shut Off:
It is very convenient to buy a yogurt maker with an auto shut off feature. Not only they are safe to use but are economical also.
Most of the time, users fail to understand whether yogurt has been prepared completely or not. In such situations, buying a yogurt maker with an automatic shut off feature can be very helpful and handy.
This is essentially important for those who want to make larger batches of yogurt at one go. In a busy schedule, you often forget to keep a track of time and this can have an impact on the preparation process. Thus, automatic shut off is a very convenient feature and you must prefer buying a machine that has this feature.
If you want to make a fresh batch of yogurt in the morning, you can turn on the machine and go to work. Once the yogurt is prepared, the machine will shut off automatically. This is helpful even if you prepare the yogurt in the evening and let it ferment overnight.
11. Automatic Chiller:
The taste and the texture of the yogurt are the best when you keep it for chilling immediately after the fermentation process is finished. In some high-end models, the fermenting mode switches to chilling mode automatically. It can keep your yogurt cool for up to half a day. This feature is ideal for overnight yogurt making or in scenarios when you are not sure whether you will be available at home after fermenting is done.
12. Accuracy:
While fermenting the yogurt, you should be very careful regarding the proportion of the ingredients that you are going to use in the container. Hence, the quality of the thermostat is very important in any yogurt maker.
To confirm this, you can check the reviews or ratings of the users and determine the accuracy of the temperature control. This will ensure that you are investing in a quality product.
13. See-through Lid:
Some models of yogurt makers feature a see-through lid. It allows you to monitor the cooking process without even opening the lid. If you keep opening the lid, the temperature inside the chamber will decrease. Also, by exposing the yogurt to air, you can ruin the quality of yogurt.
14. Jars:
With the help of jars, you can divide the batches of yogurt into single portions. However, make sure that the jars offered by the brand are either made using glass or BPA-free plastic.
15. Durability:
The materials used to make the yogurt maker decides the overall durability of the machine. Yogurt makers made using plastic tend to degrade quickly and might crack over time. Comparatively, machines made using stainless steel are tough, durable, and resistant to wear and tear.
16. Additional Features and Add-Ons:
Some additional features like timer display, indicator lights, etc. can make it convenient to use the machine. These features make the machine functional and easy to use. Some manufacturers even offer extra containers, recipe books, and extra bonuses so that the users have a fun experience while using the machine.
17. Price:
The price of the yogurt maker varies depending on the brand and the functionalities that it offers. You can buy a good quality yogurt maker within a price range of Rs. 700 – Rs. 3,000.
18. Warranty:
Any electronic gadget can face issues and hence, a warranty is a must. Most of the yogurt makers come with a warranty of 1 year. Some manufacturers even offer a long-term warranty period.
Advantages of Having Your Own Yogurt Maker
There are many advantages of having your own yogurt maker at your home. Some of them are as follows:
- Fresh and home-made yogurt contains more probiotics.
- You can avoid adding harmful ingredients like fat, sugar, or stabilizers.
- Yogurts that are made at home have a fresh taste. You can also have control over the sourness.
- You can save a lot of money. All you need is a few basic ingredients such as milk, fillings, and starter. Making yogurt at home is almost two times cheaper than buying it from a store. The price of the machine pays off in the long run.
- It can be helpful in improving your kitchen and culinary skills.
How to Make Yogurt at Home?
Here is a step-by-step guide that will help you learn how to make yogurt using a yogurt maker in the easiest way possible.
Step 1: Select the milk (as per your preference). You can choose any milk that you like: organic, full-fat, or skim milk. One thing that you must remember is milk types with higher fat content produce yogurt with a thicker consistency and milder taste.
Step 2: Heat the milk. You can start by heating the milk in a pan. However, if you have a yogurt maker that can boil milk as well, you can jump to step 5.
Step 3: Let the milk cool down. After boiling the milk, remove it from heat and keep it aside for some time so that it cools down.
Step 4: Pour milk in the bowl or glass jars. Once the milk is at room temperature, you can start transferring it to the maker’s bowl or jars.
Step 5: Put the “starters” and stir. The starter contains live bacteria that helps in converting milk into yogurt. Some commonly available starters are store-bought yogurt or a starter powder (special powder). You can get them online too.
Step 6: Set the timer and turn on the machine. You can put the jars or bowl to the maker’s chamber and then close the lid. Turn on the machine. If you have a high-tech machine, you can even set the timer and the temperature according to a particular recipe. It might take around 12 hours to finish the process. Hence, many people prefer making yogurt at night.
Step 7: Refrigerate the yogurt. Once the fermentation process is over, remove the bowl or jars from the chamber and keep them in the fridge. You can even add fruits or nuts as per your preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Yogurt is a healthy alternative to heavy breakfast or oily snacks. It improves your immune system and prevents digestive problems apart from stimulating protein, vitamins, calcium and potassium buildup. If you think the weather plays spoilsport to your yogurt making plans, invest in one of these yogurt makers that are affordable, durable and reliable.
Save money, lead a healthy lifestyle by venturing into fermenting your own yogurt at home.
Our recommendation is the “HSR 1Litre Yogurt Maker“. This 1 litre yogurt maker is the best one out there with useful features. Most importantly, irrespective of the weather conditions, this one can give you consistent and quality yogurt within a very short amount of time.
Do let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!