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VEGAN FEAST SUBSCRIBERS' COOKING AND RECIPE FORUM>
Bought a yogotherm. Possible regrets.
jtnippon1985
82 posts
Mar 23, 2007
7:06 PM
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Ok, today I purchased a Yogotherm after a week or so of deliberating on which yogurt maker to buy. Money wasn't an object in this decision, as most of them aren't too expensive anyway, and I don't want some shoddy no-name yogurt maker breaking on me after only a year of use. I chose the yogotherm because not only does it make the process easy, it doesn't require electricity which makes the yogurt making even cheaper. I saw that it use polystyrene as an insulator, which I know is good, but I keep envisioning flimsy styrofoam plates melting in the microwave...heh..I know you wanted one Byranna, so I'm guessing you have faith in this product (along with a bunch of other people) so I guess it can't be too bad. I just hope its made really well. I also hope that it gives constitant results. Does anyone on here own one, or know anyone that does?
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jtnippon1985
83 posts
Mar 23, 2007
7:12 PM
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On the same note, I had a question for all the Bosch users out there. I own one, and have been very pleased with it. I've also seen the comparison videos of it pitted against the Kitchenaid Artisan mixers as well, and have read reviews of people owning theirs for over 20 years. I just saw the other day that Bosch has another model, which is all stainless steel, and is about $700 USD, and recently discored some 1000 watt mixers by Viking (which uses the stand position like Kitchenaid) and one by Blendtek (of "Will it blend? fame) that uses the flat mixer base like Bosch. Both were obviously more expensive than the regular Bosch Universal Mixer.
My question is this, is 1000 watts excessive? I had thought that the Bosch was pretty much the top-of-the-line in home use mixers, until I saw the Viking and Blendtek models, and kind of had a feeling of dissapointment. I mean, being able to knead a seitan loaf, or 12 lbs of whole wheat bread is impressive in it self, so don't get any wrong ideas. I don't know...any thoughts?
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jtnippon1985
85 posts
Mar 24, 2007
5:45 PM
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???
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Bryanna
Owner/Moderator
2067 posts
Mar 25, 2007
11:46 AM
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Sorry-- I've been getting ready to go to the vegetarian Awakening chef's conference at the end of next week, so I'm a bit preoccupied!
Q#1:
Ok, today I purchased a Yogotherm after a week or so of deliberating on which yogurt maker to buy. Money wasn't an object in this decision, as most of them aren't too expensive anyway, and I don't want some shoddy no-name yogurt maker breaking on me after only a year of use. I chose the yogotherm because not only does it make the process easy, it doesn't require electricity which makes the yogurt making even cheaper. I saw that it use polystyrene as an insulator, which I know is good, but I keep envisioning flimsy styrofoam plates melting in the microwave...heh..I know you wanted one Byranna, so I'm guessing you have faith in this product (along with a bunch of other people) so I guess it can't be too bad. I just hope its made really well. I also hope that it gives constitant results. Does anyone on here own one, or know anyone that does?
A #1:
Although I don't own one at this time, I have used a friend's, and I thought it was great-- low-tech, but it worked just great. The outside part is metal, so it's sturdy. The styrofoam acts as a great insulator, and does not touch the yogurt. The container you make the yogurt in fits right inside snugly. No worries about whether the gthing will keep the heat evenly, like with electric ones, especially when they get older.
Q #2:
On the same note, I had a question for all the Bosch users out there. I own one, and have been very pleased with it. I've also seen the comparison videos of it pitted against the Kitchenaid Artisan mixers as well, and have read reviews of people owning theirs for over 20 years. I just saw the other day that Bosch has another model, which is all stainless steel, and is about $700 USD, and recently discored some 1000 watt mixers by Viking (which uses the stand position like Kitchenaid) and one by Blendtek (of "Will it blend? fame) that uses the flat mixer base like Bosch. Both were obviously more expensive than the regular Bosch Universal Mixer.
My question is this, is 1000 watts excessive? I had thought that the Bosch was pretty much the top-of-the-line in home use mixers, until I saw the Viking and Blendtek models, and kind of had a feeling of dissapointment. I mean, being able to knead a seitan loaf, or 12 lbs of whole wheat bread is impressive in it self, so don't get any wrong ideas. I don't know...any thoughts?
A #2:
I qwould stick with your Bosch. The Bosch works beautifully: you can do 2/ 4-5 loaf batches in sequence very quickly and easily, and how much more bread does the average person want to bake at once? I knead seitan (double recipes) in my Bosch all the time.
The Viking has the same cumbersome design as the Kitchen aid (as opposed to the sleek design of the Bosch, which can fit under the cupboards on the counter. It only gets 2 1/2 stars on eopinions; here are two reviews:
"This machine is simply junk in an attractive package. The motor smoked and burned out on the first use. It was a bread recipe that I've made on my Bosch mixer for years. The Bosch was "only" 650 watts, yet it was undoubtably stronger than the 1000 watt Viking. Viking customer service told me to refrain from using the slower speeds with heavy recipes. This machine is supposed to be 50% more powerful, yet comes with restrictions."
" I bought this professional-like based on Viking range quality, as a chef I had worked with the brand- I personally like Wolf-and a review I'd read in Appliance advisor's newsletter.
The engine works great, strong enough to mix frozen ice cream-I use to make it- It was designed like a 50s machine, and sometimes the power is so strong that makes the head of the mixer tremble, this is build in a two pieces structure and is so big that has wheels in the base of the machine in order to slide it more easyly.
After one year of use, I just can tell this machine was built with poor quality, some pieces are broke or missing, power knob jumps out of it's place, whisk attachment loosed a wire and almost jump into my face-a wire made out of stainless steel broke, still in use- $65 to replace-, and a mistery piece under the head of the mixer, made out of plastic, broke in pieces.
Trying to find replacemts is a hard work, you just dont find them even in your city(LA), has to be order by mail.
Attachments are standard in other brands here are quite expensive and, has to be order by mail. Customer service could be a nigthmare.
The place for the mixing bowl cames with a cheap plastic bottom, and has to be twist to put in place, that is hard to handle when you has to take it out to pour something like hot caramel.
but after all, power engine still working great.....
even there is a steel plate with the ViKING name on it.....it jumps out, eventually"
Doesn't sound good to me! Also, evidently, you can't do smaller amounts in the Viking, only large ones.
I could find nothing on the Blendtek.
You can buy a Bosch Universal mixer without the blender, but with a larger stainless steel bowl for the same price as the regular version with the blender. Or you can buy an extra stainless steel bowl for your Bosch, if you like. I don't see the point to spending all that money for a totally stainless steel Bosch (the "Solitaire") unless you want to mount it flush with your counter. The wattage and capacity is the same.
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jtnippon1985
86 posts
Mar 25, 2007
6:34 PM
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Wow, such a comprehensive response, thank you very much. And so that I don't bump TWO messages, thanks for the tuna and hot cocoa mix recipe too.
Last Edited on 25-Mar-2007 6:35 PM
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jtnippon1985
87 posts
Mar 29, 2007
4:14 PM
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I just got my yogotherm today. I opened it up and broke off the little plastic tab and looked at everything. I noticed that when I put the tub back in one of the plastic pieces kind of "cut" a tiny dimple in the top of the styrofoam liner. I'm a bit cautious now about using it since I don't know if I'm going to end up tearing the liner apart through regular use. I wonder if they offer liner replacements or something.
Also I saw you said your friend's yogotherm had a metal exterior, while the one I have and all the others on the internet are plastic. Where did your friend get theirs?
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Bryanna
Owner/Moderator
2072 posts
Mar 29, 2007
10:05 PM
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Hmmm, it was an older model...maybe they don't make metal ones anymore.
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