Firing up the (Vintage!) 1974 Salton Yogurt Maker

About ten years ago I picked up a yogurt 'maker' at a yard sale for five dollars and stuck it in the storage space that had served as my room until I went off to college. Until two weeks ago, it just sat there, collecting dust on a shelf and waiting for its closeup.

Maybe it was the amount of money we were spending on yogurt, maybe it was my mostly failed attempt to make it without properly incubating the milk, maybe it was the raw milk that my friend Alex at Feed Me Like You Mean It kept buying for me that inspired me to wind up the ole Salton and see what she could do.

The 'machine' (little more than a low-energy warmer) is pure 1974.

The machine has five milk-glass jars and snap-on lids for each. There's something that looks like a timer at the top, but all it actually does is remind you what time you started to incubate the yogurt.

I followed the basic recipe for yogurt: heat milk just past 180 F, cool to 120, add culture, incubate 12 or so hours. There's also Harold McGee's recipe from the New York Times. It works. You can then drain the whey out (and reserve it for lacto-fermentation starter for coolers, krauts etc) and make yogurt cheese which is a great substitute for cream cheese or can be mixed with other spices and ingredients to serve as a dip.

Seriously easy. You'll never supermarket yogurt again - except when you need culture. And no, you don't need a vintage yogurt maker. There are a ton of modern ones available on Amazon, and if you make a water bath and keep the cultured milk warm-ish for a few hours, you won't even need a maker.

For those who want to see the instructions, I give you the instructions, in order, from the manual. If you want to see a bigger version, click on the photo and go to the Flickr page where you can see a larger copy of the page.

First page:

Second Page

Third Page

There were a couple more pages - mostly recipes that incorporate yogurt. Nothing special. You know what to do, right?

Comments

[Jeanine]

My Mom made us homemade yogurt a few times when we were kids, and I saw a vintage maker at the thrift store the other day. But it was missing parts. Darn!
Your yogurt looks fantastic! I'm sure you'll get a lot of use out of that 35 year old machine!

[Lori @ RecipeGirl]

It's funny that I'm seeing this post. Allen from "Eating out Loud" made homemade yogurt recently, and I commented that I remembered that my Aunt had an actual Yogurt Machine that she used to use. THIS IS IT!! How funny. I can't believe it still actually worked!

[Cake and Commerce]

I keep hearing from friends that their moms made yogurt too - my mom always bought us the sweet, fruit-on-the-bottom stuff, so it was not until I was an adult that I developed a taste for the real thing.

You were lucky! I guess I'm getting to relive my childhood with the maker that everyone else got to use the first time around.

[Cake and Commerce]

Yeah, I know! I had no idea if it would or not and it seemed to work like a charm. I guess this was one of the makers that everyone had...though I must say, the individual serving cups, though adorable, are a little inadequate in terms of output. Ah well, at least it works!

[wilma]

hi,
I just got this model from the basement shelf and it has never been used. it is missing the manual. Do you know where i could get one?

wilma

[Jialan]

Hey, I love making soy yogurt using a super-easy method that I think is even easier and more energy-efficient than using a yogurt maker. Recently I've also been using a freeze-dried started called Yogourmet - it works really well and you don't have to buy yogurt from the store for starter :)

Here's my recipe and method:
http://econerdfood.blogspot.com/2007/03/vegetarianism-and-soy-yogurt.html

[Cake and Commerce]

Thanks for your note. And thanks for sharing your link!

Before I rolled out the salton, I was using yogourmet (actually what I used for the above yogurt in the picture) and a simple insulated pot. That was it. And the results were as good as the salton.

[Amy]

Did you ever find a manual? I just bought this at the thrift store (for $10!--little much for a 35 year old machine ya think??). If you found it can you email it to [email protected]? Thanks.

[Cake and Commerce]

I have put the first four pages of the manual on this blog entry. Just scroll up.

[Helen]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! I bought the 1987 version of the Salton also at the thrift store, (of course there were no instructions with it, so it sat for a year!
I am so glad to get the instructions finally.
Helen

[Jodi]

Thank you so much!! I too bought this maker at Value Village. I had no idea it was as old as it is but it works great. I had to laugh reading one of the blogs because mine sat on the shelf for a year as well since, I didn't have the manual. I found out that making yogurt is easy. I wish I would have researched it a bit a year ago.

[Eden]

Thanks for posting the instruction book. My yogurt maker looks just like yours (I was off by about 5 years on my estimate of its age), but it didn't come with an instruction book, only a booklet of Salton products. Thanks!

[Michelle]

Thank you so much! I found a Family Size maker just like yours in December while thrifting. Now I know how to use it, today is my first try! Wish me luck!

[elaynne]

I was going to check out the manual to the salton yogurt maker (because I got mine off freecycle w/o the manual) and the 2nd and 3rd pages are marked private so I can't see them.

Can you change the setting on the pages? Thanks!

[Linsey]

Hmm - flickr must be acting up, as the permissions are public. This isn't the first time I've had some challenges with Flickr. Perhaps I'll upload them here....

[Elise]

I just picked up the same yogurt maker (well, perhaps a slightly later model--the coloring was different, as were the lids) at a thrift store this afternoon for $1.49. Best. Deal. Ever.

Have a batch going right now, and can't wait to see how it turns out!

Mine didn't come with the manual either (though, was able to figure it out based on some online recipes where they were using the same on), so glad to have found the actual manual now!!!! Thanks!

[Jane]

Hi! I've had two of these old yogurt makers for years. Picked them up for $1.00 each at yard sales. One has a yellow cover and the other blue. I knew they were from the 70's - I do have the handbook. My question: do you know where I can get replacement lids? One came with the lids and one did not.

[Nichole]

Thank you so much for posting the manual! My mother-in-law gave me her old yogurt maker, and it's this very model. We'll be making yogurt today!

[Cake and Commerce]

Glad to help! Enjoy the yogurt!

[Michelle List]

I am the 'girl' who bought the Salton Yogurt Maker in the seventies as a college student. I used it quite frequently back then. When babies arrived, my yogurt maker hid away much like Puff the Magic Dragon, awaiting a new day... I still have all the parts (except one lid) and spent quite a while trying to find my users manual this morning. Failing that, I could not find any valid Salton telephone numbers or on-line sites even to get basic instructions. Trying one more time under "Vintage Salton Yogurt Maker" brought me to you and a moment of delight! Wish I could see the other pages of recipes though... Thanks!

[Susan Pack]

Just came across this. I just got mine out of the cupboard after over 20 yrs. I still had all the parts but the instructions...thanks.
Susan P.

[[email protected]]

Nous avons la même yaourtière et elle fait des yogourts délicieux. Nous ajoutons des fruits et du sirop d'érable lors de la mise en pot. Il faut 10h d'attente et un petit tour dans le frigo pour qu'ils soient parfaits! Un vrai délice!
Nous sommes à la recherche de pot pour cette yaourtière... Nous en avons cassé plusieurs.

[Melibou]

Hi!
Boil milk until 180 Degres.
Let it down to 111 Degres.
Add the ferment.
Put the milk inside the containers.
Plug it and wait 10h.

Important:
- do not add water
- never move it until they are done!!!

[Cake and Commerce]

Thanks for sharing your recipe!

[Yvette]

Thanks for posting the instructions. My mother just passed away (88 years old) and still had our Salton Yogurt Maker so I happily took it. I washed the jars and am ready to go now that you provided the book. I can't wait!
I didn't realize just how old this thing is...1974! Gosh, that makes me equally as old :).
Thanks again.

[Mary]

Thank you so much for including the instructions from the manual! My parents managed to lose the manual to our salton in all their moves. Now I can make yogurt without playing a sort of russian roulette with incubation times. Seriously, thanks again!

[Sandy Evans]

I was so happy to discover your information regarding 1974 Salton Yogurt Maker. It is the one I saved. When I found it again the plastic lids have split and I am hoping to be able to replace them. I want to make Greek yogurt. I am assuming I just use the store bought Greek yogurt and use it as the starter.

[Casey Marie]

So glad I came upon your page. I have this yogurt maker. I was actually researching it to put in my Etsy shop. It has been in my husbands family since he was a young boy, his mom use to *treat* him w homemade yogurt. I had no intent of ever using this machine, but after reading this, I am going to give it a shot.
Thanks

[Valerie]

Dug my old Salton out of the basement. I know now why I never garage saled it!! thanks so much for reprinting the recipe and manual. That I did not find.

[Marilynn]

The best, tucked away, but now found!!!! Salton Cosmopolitan Yogurt Maker, Model YM4

[Shady]

Been using this yogurt maker including its thermometer regularly since 1975. Still have the instruction booklet. The plastic lids have just about given up the ghost as there is only so many times they can be patched together. Use plastic wrap these days. Simple and effective

[Sandi]

Having been cleaning out my mom's house after she passed in Feb. and found 2 of the 70's yogurt makers in the attic. I've made 2 batches so far and love it. Of the 2 units one has 3 cracked lids and I too would like to find replacements for them. They are just plain white. If I had them I could make two batches at the same time. So good with fresh strawberries on top!

[Becca]

Thank You! I just got my yogurt maker out... haven't used it in years, and I can't find the instruction booklet. Lifesaver. I might try making greek yogurt by straining it as Alex in your link suggests.

[Janet]

I sold my Salton Yogurt maker some years ago, and then found another one recently without the spoon or instructions. THANKS for the instruction book and I will just use a candy thermometer now. I used to make yogurt ALL the time back in 70's and early 80's. I can't remember how thick the yogurt would get, but when I buy the plain now I drain it overnight in a strainer or cheesecloth and it becomes nice and thick and creamy--I like it better that way and these days I barely sweeten it other than add some fresh fruit. Making the booklet available is FABULOUS--thank you.

[[email protected]]

Hi,
I have one of these salton yogurt makers...i love it...but,one of the lids cracked...any ideas on where to find this...
thanks....

[Compost Happens 56]

My uncle just gave me his and it has quite a story. He got married in maybe 1966 or so. A few years later, he got his wife the brand spanking new invention of the yogurt maker since wife always ate yogurt every day at work and he thought this would be a great gift for their anniversary. WELL! She did not agree and I can recall as a kid hearing her rant and rail unceasingly about what a horrible, unromantic gift he had dared to give her! So it sat for all these years, unused. He kept the yogurt maker and got rid of her (good choice) and now I get the yogurt maker! Mint condition and I am going to try it in just a couple of minutes! (She is a miserable person who contributed greatly to the emotional problems of her former spouse and kids. )

[Lynn]

I, too, dug out the old Salton Yogurt maker, instructions included and decided to give it a try again. In the 1970's, I was very into Adelle Davis and natural foods, until my husband threatened to leave me unless I stopped feeding him brewer's yeast all this homemade yogurt. Well, I don't use brewer's yeast anymore, but do buy large quantities of Greek yogurt which I use in a lot of recipes. Thought it would be fun to make yogurt again.

[Laura]

While researching how to use the yogurt maker I just bought at a thrift shop I found a post that said you can use 8oz canning jars with ring seals in place of the jars and lids if you're missing some parts. I haven't tried it because I have all the parts but thought that might help some of the posters who are asking for new lids.

[Rob]

I just picked up this same yogurt maker at our town dump. The only difference is that the solid white glass cups do not have lids. It does have the cover over all 5 cups with the yellow knob to identify the hour. Are the lids necessary?

[Andrea]

http://www.divinemind.biz/files/Salton%20Yogurt%20Maker%20GM-5%20manual.pdf

There you go Michelle! I found the manual with the page of recipes in there.

[Aimée]

If you use 8-oz canning jars, you would increase the yield by about 33% (the original glass jars appear to be 6-oz).

In re replacement lids, you can use Ball's rigid white plastic screw-on lids for the canning jars; they work quite well. They're available on Amazon and I occasionally see them in retail outlets as well.

[Jane]

Hi, I have resurrected my mother's old Salton yogurt maker too. It is circular with 7 jars, no lids but I just use plastic wrap........works like a charm.

[dawn]

Yeah!
I've made yogurt lots of ways but am especially fond of the Salton yogurt maker from the '70's.I found one at a thrift store and my daughter told me I would be sorry if I didn't buy it so I did to humor her, shh. Thank you for the directions as my long term memory didn't extend that far. Is yours the small cups or the larger version-mine is larger.I didn't notice will have to check it out. Thanks again for the directions

[Hanna]

Thank you so much for posting the manual! I just picked up this yogurt maker at a rummage sale (and I'm kind of bummed I didn't pick up the second one they had as well, for parts or whatever). Although making yogurt is making yogurt and I did just fine without it, having the manual around is kind of neat just in case.

[Hanna]

I've read that the smallish mason jars (like the small jam ones, I think) with canning lids work well. Would those lids work on the jars that come with your maker?

[Ellie]

Just found this page when I googled 'Salton Yogurt Maker' because I just picked one up at a thrift store for $4.99. It has all the parts, including the manual pictured above, and looks almost unused - and it's this EXACT machine!

I've never made yogurt before, but I'd heard homemade yogurt was pretty tasty (and less expensive), so I figured for $4.99, I'd give it a whirl! With a little luck the new-looking little machine from 1974 still works!

Thanks for the post!

[Randy]

Thank you for posting these. I just decided to try a yogurt maker I was given a while back. The instructions were included but damaged. These really helped

[Beth]

I have used this for years and have found that mason (or ball) canning jars work just fine. (8 oz jam size) I either use proper canning lids (lid and ring) or easier yet is old mayonnaise jar lids. They fit perfect. I also add 1/2 c dry milk to the cold quart of milk. It makes a more solid yogurt. Enjoy!

[Laura]

I found one of these for a few bucks at a yard sale without the instructions, but with extra cups and lids, yaay! It makes really thick yogurt, kind of like Greek, and quite tasty. I'm now experimenting with honey and vanilla. Hope that works. Thanks for the post with instructions.

[Greg]

I found two of these at the thrift shop tonight. Missing the manual, so thanks for posting it. One unit is missing the top, but it looks like Sears might be able to help. The "timer" is also missing, but I bet I can improvise a plug. No spoon/thermometer either, but that seems superfluous. All cups and lids are in good shape. Thanks again!

[[email protected]]

You don't need a lid. make it and put in a glad ware container

[Paula]

Same scenario, different year! I just dug my Salton yogurt maker (got it as a wedding present in 1979!!!) out of a box that was sitting in the basement and figured I'd see if it still works. YUP! The yogurt is much better than anything you can buy in he store, and I use 2 Tbls. of yogurt from my "last jar" for my starter. No "after taste" like with commercial plain yogurts; and the consistency (creaminess) outbeats even Yoplait! So glad I kept it!