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[Debinmi]

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[Lannette]

How do you know your IP isn't working as it should & needs to be replaced? I've had mine for 7+ years. We make yogurt, pulled pork, beef, chicken, bone broth, stews & soups with ours. It gets used 1-3 times a month.

I've made yogurt for over 40 years, and the IP let's me make a gallon at a time (condensed to 2 quarts of Greek yogurt - yum). I've never had a problem, until this week. It would not culture... I tried twice, checked the temp at the 2 critical times & used 2 different starter cultures - no yogurt, just hot milk. I'm now wondering if the IP was too hot during incubation. I plan on using the IP for chili this weekend & since it does heat, I don't expect an issue. But for yogurt ... I'm not sure I want to waste another gallon of milk. How do you know when your IP needs to be replaced?

Thanks for sharing your experience & ideas.

We have two instant pots that see constant use. We also have one of the originals we keep as a backup and for holiday use. We make keto yogurt in ours. 16 jars at a time - so convenient!

I suggest that you run the water test. You can find a description HERE.

Does your IP have a yogurt setting? The only other thing I can think of would be to set it for yogurt and once it starts to count down cancel the yogurt and check the temperature of the water in the IP.

 

[Lannette]

You’re welcome. I just checked. Our oldest IP is 11 years old and still works perfectly. It saw very hard use.

 

[Lannette]

Ok, this is completely off topic but what brand of washer and dryer do you both have? We’re replacing ours and I’m polling everybody I know.

 

[lisa_la_machina]

Ok, this is completely off topic but what brand of washer and dryer do you both have? We’re replacing ours and I’m polling everybody I know.

We have an LG washer (front load) and dryer from Costco. Our second set of LGs and they have served us well. We are a large family and run lots of loads of laundry.

 

[Lannette]

Is your Instant pot ok?

Thanks for washer/dryer info.

 

[Lannette]

You're welcome... not sure it was much help.

You were helpful with IP - thanks!

The water test went fine. The temperature for the yogurt incubation period was 105 - should be fine. So IDK - maybe it was a bad starter (2!) - one was from the previous batch, one was from the store. I'll pick up more milk & yogurt for starter tomorrow & try again with a smaller batch. It worked fine for pressure cooking chicken & making chili last week.

I've been looking at newer models since IPs usually are on sale this time of year. I see the MAX has an option to can. I do can small batches of tomato sauce, salsa, & various relishes using the water-canning method. Do you have this model and have you tried the canning feature?

We use Lifeway kefir as starter and add Inulin to give the litter buggers a kick start. We also incubate it for 24 hours and use half & half instead of milk. I don't eat it all that often but DH has it daily.

I don’t have an IP Max but now I’m going to check it out of course. We have an IP pro 8qt. We do 16- 6oz jars of yogurt, a large turkey breast or a cheesecake in it. I wasn’t sure if I wanted an IP that big but it’s really earned the real estate it takes up.

 

[nickisteen]

I bought LG washer and dryer from Lowe's about14 years ago. Still works well; however, I would not recommend a front load washer. The smell can be really bad. I clean mine regularly.

 

[Lannette]

Yesterday's batch of yogurt turned out just fine! Must have been the starters. Strange, in over 40 years of making yogurt, I've never had a batch fail. Guess there's a 1st for everything.

Lannette, thanks for the tip about inulin. I have a jar & seldom use it. This will give me the opportunity to use it up! And for the kefir - my local grocer didn't have any unflavored, but I'll keep an eye out for it as sometimes they're out of small containers of plain yogurt with live bacterium too.

I'm still intrigued by the electric canner though. I may put it on my list for Santa

I’m glad to hear that your IP isn’t going bad. That particular brand of kefir was recommended because of the 12 strains of live probiotic cultures and the lack of fungi cultures like Saccharomyces species. WHO knew? I sure didn't.

Let me know if you get the electric canner model and how you like it.

 

[lisa_la_machina]

I bought LG washer and dryer from Lowe's about14 years ago. Still works well; however, I would not recommend a front load washer. The smell can be really bad. I clean mine regularly.

Oh my gosh, yes, we have a top load not a front load. Typo on my part. Been happy with our *top* load washer. Thanks @nickisteen

 

[Lannette]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I really appreciate it. I agree with top loader vs front loader. We previously had two different front loaders and the only way I kept the smell away was to dry out the gaskets by hand, leave the door open and do endless cleaning cycles. It was more work than beating our clothes clean on a rock!

We were looking at Bosch stackable pairs but the front loading thing was a deal breaker.

Now we’re considering a Speed Queen. Made in USA, 5-7 year parts and labor. Can be serviced by the fairly local business we’d purchase from. I’m still not sure! HA!