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If you've ever tasted thick, tangy, homemade yogurt fresh from the jar, you know it's a little revelation. Making yogurt at home is about control: you choose the milk, the cultures, and how thick or tart you want the final product to be. It's also cheaper over time than buying premium tubs, and it lets you avoid unwanted additives. Plus, there's a certain satisfaction in watching a few simple ingredients turn into something silky and nourishing—like turning a blank canvas into a painting.
These are the classic countertop machines with individual glass or plastic jars that let you make several portions at once. They usually have a base that warms to a steady temperature—great if you like variety because you can flavour each jar differently. Think of them as the muffin tray of yogurt: small, neat portions ready to personalise.
If you don't want another bulky appliance, jar-less options are clever and simple. Some people use an oven with a light on or a thermos to keep milk at the right warmth while it ferments. These methods are more hands-on but cost-effective and perfect for small kitchens. They're like using a slow cooker trick for yogurt—low fuss, lower price.
Kefir is a cousin to yogurt with a looser texture and a tangier taste. There are specific kefir-making vessels and even silicone kits that make kefir or yogurt. These vessels are great for anyone curious about fermented drinks as well as spoonable dairy—or dairy-free—yogurts.
Nordic Nest is known for stylish kitchenware and housewares, and they stock specialty items like the Lékué Kefir & Yogurt Making Vessel. If you like Scandinavian design and compact, well-made tools, Nordic Nest is a solid place to browse. Their selection tends to favour useful, elegant pieces that fit modern kitchens.
Lakeland has been a go-to for kitchen gadgets for years, and they often carry a range of yogurt makers from basic to feature-rich. If you want practical advice from staff or to see quirky solutions up close, their stores and website are worth a look. Their products are designed for real cooks, so expect durability and practical features.
John Lewis is a reliable destination for mid-range to premium appliances. You’ll find branded yogurt makers and well-known multi-cookers that double as yogurt machines. They offer comprehensive product descriptions and customer reviews, which makes comparing models easier before you buy.
Amazon has the widest selection—brands like Dash, Euro Cuisine, and various silicone vessels such as Lékué are all present. The upside is choice and often competitive prices; the downside can be sorting through the noise. Read a mix of five-star and lower-rated reviews to get a balanced view before you click buy.
These high-street and online retailers also carry yogurt makers or multi-purpose appliances that make yogurt. Argos is great for budget options and quick collection, Currys for electrics and appliance warranties, Wayfair for design-focused pieces, and Robert Dyas for practical, everyday solutions. Checking several shops helps you spot seasonal deals and compare specs.
Lékué specialises in smart silicone kitchenware. Their Kefir & Yogurt Making Vessel is compact and ideal if you’re experimenting with kefir or small-batch yogurts. It’s simple to use, easy to clean, and perfect for those who love minimal, functional design with a small footprint on the counter.
Dash and Euro Cuisine offer affordable multi-jar yogurt makers with straightforward controls. Severin makes sturdier, more industrial options, while multi-cookers such as Instant Pot or similar electric pressure cookers include a yogurt function that’s versatile—use it for large batches or to pasteurise milk first. These names cover the spectrum from economical to multifunctional powerhouses.
Think about how much yogurt you eat, how much kitchen storage you have, and whether you want multi-functionality. Do you want individual jars for lunchboxes or one large pot for the family? Check for temperature control (adjustable is best), number of jars, ease of cleaning, and whether the unit has a timer. Also consider materials—glass jars are more eco-friendly and don’t retain smells like plastic can.
Want to try it tonight? Here’s the simple method most machines follow. Heat 1 quart (4 cups) of whole milk to about 180°F to change the protein structure, then cool to 110°F. Stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt with live cultures or a measured starter. Pour into jars or the vessel, place in the yogurt maker, and maintain around 110°F for 6 to 12 hours depending on how tart you want it. Refrigerate several hours to firm up. That’s it—transforming milk into creamy goodness feels a bit like kitchen magic.
Kefir uses grains—symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeast—so it ferments at room temperature and usually takes 12 to 48 hours depending on desired tang. Yogurt uses specific bacterial cultures and usually requires steady warmth around 110°F. Kefir tends to be drinkable and fizzy; yogurt is thicker and spoonable. If you enjoy experimenting, having a dedicated kefir vessel like Lékué’s design makes switching between projects painless.
Want Greek-style thickness? Strain yogurt through cheesecloth for an hour or two to remove whey. Adding powdered milk to your base milk before heating helps thicken results. If your yogurt is too runny, ferment longer or use whole milk rather than skim. For flavouring, stir in honey, jam, vanilla, or fresh fruit after refrigeration to preserve texture. If your batch tastes off, check starter freshness and cleanliness of jars—fermentation is sensitive, like hosting a small microbial party where everything must be spotless.
Not everyone wants another gadget. If you’re on a tight budget or aiming for low waste, reuse glass jars from store-bought yogurt and look for second-hand machines. Passive methods like a thermos or using a low-temperature oven can make yogurt without a dedicated appliance. Also consider appliances with replaceable parts and glass jars for longevity—good design reduces landfill waste.
To find the best price, scan multiple retailers—Nordic Nest for design-led items, Amazon for variety, John Lewis for trusted brands, and Lakeland for practical gadgets. Read product descriptions to compare capacity in cups and check that the machine maintains a stable temperature in Fahrenheit. Reviews from verified buyers are gold: look for consistent notes about reliability, noise, and cleaning.
Many yogurt makers do more than yogurt. They can incubate sourdough starters, make homemade cheese, or ferment vegetables at a controlled temperature. Think of the appliance as a tiny fermentation laboratory: once you learn the basics, you’ll find new culinary projects to try, from tangy labneh to cultured butter or probiotic-rich kefir drinks.
Before you hit buy, ask: How many cups will I make per batch? Is the temperature adjustable in Fahrenheit? Are jars glass or plastic? Is the machine easy to clean and store? What's the warranty? These practical questions cut through marketing and help you pick a model that fits your lifestyle rather than one that simply looks good on a blog.
Simple plain yogurt: Heat 4 cups whole milk to 180°F, cool to 110°F, mix in 2 to 3 tablespoons live yogurt starter, incubate 6 to 12 hours at 110°F, then chill. For Greek yogurt, strain after cooling. For kefir, add grains to 3 to 4 cups milk at room temperature and ferment 12 to 48 hours until tangy, then strain out grains for reuse.
Buying a yogurt maker or choosing a reliable vessel unlocks a new corner of home cooking. It’s low-effort once you’ve got the routine, and it pays back in taste, health benefits, and the joy of crafting something genuinely homemade. Whether you pick up a sleek Lékué vessel from Nordic Nest or a multi-jar machine from Lakeland, you’re buying into consistency and the freedom to experiment with flavours and textures.
Conclusion: Making yogurt at home is a rewarding, economical, and flexible practice. The UK market offers everything from stylish specialty vessels at Nordic Nest to multifunctional electric machines at mainstream retailers. Consider capacity, temperature control in Fahrenheit, and material when choosing a machine. Try simple recipes to start, then experiment with kefir, Greek-style batches, and flavouring. With a little patience and the right kit, you'll have delicious, customizable yogurt on tap—no mystery, just good food.
Yogurt Makers | Price | |
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Lékué Lékué Kefir & Yogurt Making Vessel Blue | £ 19,99 |