Re: What's the Best Yogurt Machine for US?

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know if you can make the yogurt in a 5 qt. Crock Pot Slow Cooker on

the warm setting?

Thanks

Carissa

>

> So I've read a lot on " this yogurt machine... " and " that yogurt machine... " ,

but maybe someone can help me with figuring out the best yogurt machine for my

specific family?

>

> We're a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 wee ones). We don't have a lot of money, but

would rather fork up some precious dollar bills than in a month have to go out

and buy another one because the " cheaper " one just didn't cut it.

>

> I'd prefer to be able to make a gallon (if that's even possible) of yogurt at

a time, since with 4 people I'm sure we're going to go through it like crazy. I

also don't want to have to worry a lot with the temperature fluxuating. I have

enough things to stress and worry about and figure out in my life right now, I

don't need to add THAT to my list! I also need whatever maker I get to be okay

being by itself if we leave the house or go to bed. We rent, and have children,

so no risky business here! We're also very sensitive to dairy, so something

that is going to produce the safest, and " easiest " (meaning on our digestive

systems) is also important. I'd rather spend money up front than have to spend

a lot of time, and more money, later on.

>

> Soooo, with all of that said!!! --- Any suggestions? =)

>

> Thank you all!!!

> Carissa

>

[Guest guest]

Does it have a thermostat? If not, you'll have to do a trial run by filling it

with

liquid and placing a thermometer in it and running it for 24 hours, just to make

sure it stays within range. And doesn't build too much heat over time or level

off

and get too cool.

Mara

> Does anyone know if you can make the yogurt in a 5 qt. Crock Pot Slow Cooker

on the warm setting?

>

> Thanks

> Carissa

>

>

>>

>> So I've read a lot on " this yogurt machine... " and " that yogurt machine... " ,

but maybe someone can help me with figuring out the best yogurt machine for my

specific family?

>>

>> We're a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 wee ones). We don't have a lot of money, but

would rather fork up some precious dollar bills than in a month have to go out

and buy another one because the " cheaper " one just didn't cut it.

>>

>> I'd prefer to be able to make a gallon (if that's even possible) of yogurt at

a time, since with 4 people I'm sure we're going to go through it like crazy. I

also don't want to have to worry a lot with the temperature fluxuating. I have

enough things to stress and worry about and figure out in my life right now, I

don't need to add THAT to my list! I also need whatever maker I get to be okay

being by itself if we leave the house or go to bed. We rent, and have children,

so no risky business here! We're also very sensitive to dairy, so something

that is going to produce the safest, and " easiest " (meaning on our digestive

systems) is also important. I'd rather spend money up front than have to spend

a lot of time, and more money, later on.

>>

>> Soooo, with all of that said!!! --- Any suggestions? =)

>>

>> Thank you all!!!

>> Carissa

>>

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

At 07:06 AM 8/30/2010, you wrote:

Soooo, with all of that said!!!

--- Any suggestions? =)

Carissa,

You're going to flinch at the price....

But I highly recommend getting the 9 tray Excalibur dehydrator.

http://www.lucyskitchenshop.com/excalibur.html. It's the model 2900.

And actually, if you have the right containers, you can make 8 quarts of

yogurt at a time. Plus, you can make beef snacking sticks, make

your own onion and garlic powders, dry fruits and vegetables for later

use or for snacks... the uses are so many and so varied that I ended up

buying a second one!

As noted, it isn't cheap, but it's a multi-purpose unit. That kind

of amortizes the price over multiple foods you can prepare with

it.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

Babette the Foundling Beagle

[Guest guest]

Hey Marilyn,

First off - Thank you SO much for all of your wonderful advice and suggestions

always! You are so faithful to offer help, and I appreciate that as a newbie!!!

=)

Secondly, Last night I made a decision and jumped out on a limb, and... got an

excalibur!!! I found the 3900 model on page 3 of their products - dehydrators

page. It's a refurbished, but never used (go there to read about them), and

comes with the 10 year warranty. It was $170.00 --- much cheaper than the brand

new model!

Just like you said, I figured it would be worth the investment, and when I added

together 2 yogourmet machines ($60 each) to make the same amount of yogurt as I

can in 1 excalibur, plus a dehydrator ($45-50), the cost is practically the

same! But takes up less counter space, and has the amazing warranty! So when I

looked at it like that, it was a " gimme " . =)

And I'm glad that your post just confirms that I made the right decision! Not

to mention that today when researching I discovered on pecanbread that they said

a dehydrator works best for making yogurt. *smile* =)

Thanks again!

Carissa

P.S. Because of the versatility with the excalibur (and because of our need to

make extra money to help off-set some of the increased cost of our food/grocery

budget due to doing the diet), I really want to use the dehydrator in some way

to make some stuff and try selling it. Have you had any luck with doing

something like this? I know you can do so much with it! Drying flowers, making

spices, etc. Is there anything you can think of that I could do with it, to

sell? I live up North and we have tons of farmer's markets. Let me know if you

have any ideas or any experience with this! =)

> >Soooo, with all of that said!!! --- Any suggestions? =)

>

> Carissa,

>

> You're going to flinch at the price....

>

> But I highly recommend getting the 9 tray

> Excalibur

> dehydrator.

> http://www.lucyskitchenshop.com/excalibur.html.

> It's the model 2900. And actually, if you have

> the right containers, you can make 8 quarts of

> yogurt at a time. Plus, you can make beef

> snacking sticks, make your own onion and garlic

> powders, dry fruits and vegetables for later use

> or for snacks... the uses are so many and so

> varied that I ended up buying a second one!

>

> As noted, it isn't cheap, but it's a

> multi-purpose unit. That kind of amortizes the

> price over multiple foods you can prepare with it.

>

>

> � Marilyn

> New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

> Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

> Darn Good SCD Cook

> No Human Children

> Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

> Babette the Foundling Beagle

>

[Guest guest]

ok.. I got tired of my electric oven being tied up for 24 hours while my yogurt was in there.. I got a med sized ice chest and a clip light.. the large bright one that you put on pipes to keep them warm or over small animals.. (yes I am a country girl).. I removed the blub and put in a 40 watt bulb.. I cliped the light to the edge of the ice chest proping it open and shining on the bottom of the ice chest.. I put my temp probe in there. I had a large bath towel covering a little more then half of it all.. the temp held a perfect 104.. so I poured my batch into a glass jar with a lid.. It was one of the nicest batches I ever made and it kept my oven free for broiling and baking..It did not cost me a dime...

Any thoughts of if this is not a good idea.. My temp probe has an alarm that will go off if it gets hoter then 117. So I slept fine with it on..and no chance of it over heating anything if only the clip is what is touching the ice chest.

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 11:12:09 AMSubject: Re: What's the Best Yogurt Machine for US?

Does anyone know if you can make the yogurt in a 5 qt. Crock Pot Slow Cooker on the warm setting? ThanksCarissa>> So I've read a lot on "this yogurt machine..." and "that yogurt machine...", but maybe someone can help me with figuring out the best yogurt machine for my specific family?> > We're a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 wee ones). We don't have a lot of money, but would rather fork up some precious dollar bills than in a month have to go out and buy another one because the "cheaper" one just didn't cut it.> > I'd prefer to be able to make a gallon (if that's even possible) of yogurt at a time, since with 4 people I'm sure we're going to go through it like crazy. I also don't want to have to

worry a lot with the temperature fluxuating. I have enough things to stress and worry about and figure out in my life right now, I don't need to add THAT to my list! I also need whatever maker I get to be okay being by itself if we leave the house or go to bed. We rent, and have children, so no risky business here! We're also very sensitive to dairy, so something that is going to produce the safest, and "easiest" (meaning on our digestive systems) is also important. I'd rather spend money up front than have to spend a lot of time, and more money, later on.> > Soooo, with all of that said!!! --- Any suggestions? =)> > Thank you all!!!> Carissa>

[Guest guest]

How can I make garlic and onion powder with out a dehydrator???

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 8:11:52 PMSubject: Re: What's the Best Yogurt Machine for US?

At 07:06 AM 8/30/2010, you wrote:

Soooo, with all of that said!!! --- Any suggestions? =)Carissa,You're going to flinch at the price.... But I highly recommend getting the 9 tray Excalibur dehydrator. http://www.lucyskitchenshop.com/excalibur.html. It's the model 2900. And actually, if you have the right containers, you can make 8 quarts of yogurt at a time. Plus, you can make beef snacking sticks, make your own onion and garlic powders, dry fruits and vegetables for later use or for snacks... the uses are so many and so varied that I ended up buying a second one!As noted, it isn't cheap, but it's a multi-purpose unit. That kind of amortizes the price over multiple foods you can prepare with it.

— Marilyn New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001 Darn Good SCD Cook No Human Children Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund Babette the Foundling Beagle

[Guest guest]

Carissa,

I'm glad you got the Excalibur... I don't think you'll regret

it!

I make my own onion and garlic powders -- it's a pain, but I would

suspect you might find people willing to pay for organic, 100% SCD-legal

onion and garlic powders. IF you are skilled in the garden, possibly

other things, as well.

One thing I can recommend, and that's to pick up a mandolin. Zucchini is

one of those things which I understand can take over a garden. But SCDers

can have all sorts of uses for zucchini. I peel mine, slice it in thick

slices, and dehydrate it. Then I bag it, and for longevity, stick it in

the freezer. The dehydrated stuff takes up less room. But -- I always

have zucchini strips ready for lasagna, or to cut into noodles, or any

number of things. Cuts down on the time to prepare many dishes when you

reach that level of cooking.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

Babette the Foundling Beagle

[Guest guest]

You answered your own question - since it made your best yogurt yet. sounds like youare all set. Maraok.. I got tired of my electric oven being tied up for 24 hours while my yogurt was in there.. I got a med sized ice chest and a clip light.. the large bright one that you put on pipes to keep them warm or over small animals.. (yes I am a country girl).. I removed the blub and put in a 40 watt bulb.. I cliped the light to the edge of the ice chest proping it open and shining on the bottom of the ice chest.. I put my temp probe in there. I had a large bath towel covering a little more then half of it all.. the temp held a perfect 104.. so I poured my batch into a glass jar with a lid.. It was one of the nicest batches I ever made and it kept my oven free for broiling and baking..It did not cost me a dime...Any thoughts of if this is not a good idea.. My temp probe has an alarm that will go off if it gets hoter then 117. So I slept fine with it on..and no chance of it over heating anything if only the clip is what is touching the ice chest.

[Guest guest]

At 08:10 PM 8/31/2010, you wrote:

How can I make garlic and onion

powder with out a dehydrator???

Place it on cake cooling racks and put it in the oven at around 180F for

several hours, or until dry and crispy.

I slice the onions and spread the rings out. I slice the garlic thin --

it's a bit trickier to lay it out.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

Babette the Foundling Beagle

[Guest guest]

At 07:48 PM 8/31/2010, you wrote:

It was one of the nicest batches

I ever made and it kept my oven free for broiling and baking..It did not

cost me a dime...

Any thoughts of if this is not a good idea.. My temp probe has an alarm

that will go off if it gets hoter then 117. So I slept fine with it

on..and no chance of it over heating anything if only the clip is what is

touching the ice chest.

You answered your own question. Good yogurt. Didn't cost you anything.

I'd recommend lowering the temperature on the probe to 110F.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

Babette the Foundling Beagle