If you’re looking for healthy snack options, it’s hard to find anything better than yogurt. This tasty snack tends to be high in protein, low in sugar, and full of healthy fats.
But yogurt has become more and more expensive over the past few years. For people who want to eat yogurt on a daily basis, it can be hard to get access without breaking the bank.
What many people don’t realize is that you can make yogurt yourself, right from the comfort of your own home. Homemade yogurt is a lot less expensive than store-bought yogurt. Plus, making your own yogurt allows you more control regarding what exactly goes into your body. And you feel really proud of yourself when you succeed.
Yogurt-making is a lot like a scientific experiment. You need a number of tools to manage it successfully. One is a thermometer to measure the temperature of your milk. Throughout the different steps of the process, the milk needs to reach different temperatures.
There are a number of different thermometers that will do the trick. Some digital thermometers have LCD displays. All-purpose kitchen thermometers may come with very wide temperature ranges. Probes tend to be a few inches long.
Longer probes are ideal if you’re using deep pots. When the probe is longer, you can clip the thermometer to the pot and monitor the temperature throughout the process.
Comparison Table
| Brand Name | Temperature Range | Display Type | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1. Stainless Steel Our Best Pick  Check Price | 0 to 220 F | Dial | Stainless steel |
#2. Pen Shaped Digital Cooking Thermometer Check Price | -58 to 572 F | LCD display | Stainless steel |
#3. Digital Food Thermometer Check Price | -58 to 572 F | LCD display | Stainless steel |
#4. Foldable Waterproof Thermometer Check Price | -58 to 572 F | LCD display | Stainless steel |
#5. Wireless Meat Thermometer  Check Price | 32 to 482 F | LCD display | Stainless steel |
The Top Thermometers for Making Yogurt
#1. Digital Food Thermometer
This thermometer is packaged as being mainly for meat and candy. But there are plenty of other uses for a thermometer like this, one of which is making yogurt.
The purchase also includes a case that has a small ring on the side to pass the probe and keep your hands away from heat. It comes with an easy-to-read LCD display that quickly shows your milk’s temperature.
There’s another benefit as well. Should you ever need to measure any external temperatures, the thermometer has you covered. You probably won’t need this feature for yogurt making, but it’s good to know about.
The thermometer probe is ideally sized for medium and larger pots. It has a temperature detection range from -58 F to 572 F, and displays in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.
#2. Pen Shaped Digital Cooking Thermometer
Pen shaped digital thermometer has a much longer probe than an average thermometer. It’s great when you’re using a large pot. The thermometer has a battery saving function that causes the thermometer to automatically turn off if there is no activity for 15 minutes.
The LCD display can be read very easily. It measures a temperature range from -58 F to 572 F, with the option to switch into Celsius. The 5.9-inch probe fits in even giant pots.
This thermometer is a good choice if you want to avoid placing your fingers by the heat. Gone are the worries that you’ll burn yourself while trying to take a simple temperature!
The stainless steel construction ensures the thermometer is extremely durable.
#3. Stainless Steel Thermometer
Unlike the previous entries on this list, this particular thermometer was designed specifically for measuring yogurt temperatures. Because of this, it utilizes a small and compact design, so it can fit into both small and large pots. The purchase also includes a pocket carrying case.
The thermometer isn’t digital. Instead, the dial mounted on top will display the temperature. Since it’s only designed to make yogurt, the temperature range is smaller than the other options, with a range from 0 F to 220 F.
This thermometer includes a clip attached to the probe so it can be mounted on a pot. However, since the probe is short, the clip only tends to be helpful if you cook in a shallow pot.
Final Thoughts
Each thermometer on the list has potential benefits and drawbacks. The best one for you depends on which suits your needs.
The Digital Food Thermometer can handle a wide temperature range. You can use it in numerous kitchen exploits besides yogurt making. It can also read external temperatures, should that ever be necessary. The LCD display is easy to read. The only potential drawback is that the probe is medium-sized, so it won’t be long enough for very large pots.
The Pen Shaped thermometer also has a wide temperature range and LCD display. It doesn’t have the ability to measure external temperatures. However, it does have a significantly longer probe than the Digital Food thermometer. This means that you you don’t have to worry about burning your hands by putting them too close to the heat.
The Stainless Steel thermometer is designed specifically for making yogurt. If you plan to use it for yogurt making alone, it serves its purpose. The compact and small design makes this thermometer portable, but the short probe means that you should make your yogurt in a shallow pot.
Further reading:
- Cheeseforum.org Forums – Yogurt: Best incubation temperatures?
- GardenWeb Forums – good thermometer for yogurt-making?
