Probiotic Maker Review (aka EZ Yogurt Maker): Easiest Yogurt Ever

Do you want to know a method of making yogurt that takes less than a minute of preparation and has zero cleanup?

Let me introduce you to something called Probiotic Maker (formerly EZ Yogurt Maker).  I've been using it for about three years now.  It makes yogurt/kefir with less than one minute prep and has zero cleanup.

Here is what you do:

Probioticmaker.com

1. Open a new gallon (or half-gallon) of milk (or milk alternative) and pour the yogurt starter into the milk.  Replace cap and shake to distribute the powdered starter.
2. Slip the maker over the gallon, plug it in, and let it culture for 8-11 hours.
3. Transfer carefully (without shaking to the fridge) and cool at least 8 hours.  Enjoy!

I know, you are shaking your head right now. No boiling, no thermometer, no pans, no ice, no Instant Pot, no dishes???

https://turcopolier.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c72e153ef01b8d2d3dac4970c-popup

I know!  Insanely. Easy. Homemade. Yogurt.

I've been using this over three years now and just love how easy it is and that each starter packet has 11 different strains.  I'll give you the cons first and then we can recap the PROS!  Yea!  Read on for more details!

Cons:

• The initial investment is kind of hard to fork over.  Regularly priced at $99.
• Cost of starters.  Back-slopping is not recommended by the company (I still do it using 1 cup of the previous batch to save on cost of starters and probably use a new starter every 3-5 cultures.)

Nitpick:
I would like to make a correction to the website's FAQ which makes a slightly misleading comment that kefir made with kefir grains can have "up to 1.5% or 3 proof alcohol" and give no citation for this statement.  This could be true under the right conditions but it is not the typical case for traditionally fermented kefir (using kefir grains) at room temperature (I agree that you should never use Probiotic Maker to ferment kefir grains).  Regarding the alcohol (ethanol) content of kefir made with kefir grains:

• Dairy kefir has LESS than 0.5% ABV, according to food regulation study (2017/2018) of Australian Food Standards.  Water kefir had more. 
• Blogger Kelly the Kitchen Kop was so worried about the alcohol content of her WATER kefir that she had it tested by chemist/brewer brother-in-law.  The result? 0.64% ABV.
• If alcohol is a concern for you or your family, use a cloth cover (not Airlock or cap) during ferment. Also keep the ratio of kefir grains to milk no more than 1% (here's why)...that's 2 teaspoons per quart.  Also, don't do a 2nd ferment.

Enough nitpicking!  Now back to why I love the Probiotic Maker.

PROS:

• Less than a minute preparation.
• Hands off the entire incubation time.
• Enjoy poured from the gallon.
• Zero cleanup.
• Zero stress.
• The culture packet contains 11 different strains of probiotics.

This yogurt maker is the best!  We like to culture ours in the day, let it cool overnight in the fridge and then it is ready in the morning to use.  We add all kinds of flavors.  We love eating ours with peaches and raspberries.  Yummo!

From their Facebook page: You can use code "15" to save 15% off of the maker or code "LEARN" to save $30.00 off a cosmetic factory second. "Or use code "EXPERIMENTAL" to save $37.77 off makers with more imperfections/character(makers all work the same just not as pretty)." Woohoo!