Saturday, March 26, 2011

Master Cheese Maker Machine

I was reading on one of the Cheesemaking Yahoo groups about this cheese maker made from a rice maker, so I checked it out.

I am on the list to get one the next time he makes one because they look sooooo great! He won't have time to make another batch of them until summer. Ooooooo..... I want it NOW!

Patience.... patience.....

Features that make me want one:
The Cheese Maker will raise the temperature of the milk over a specified length of time, no more sitting at the stove and fiddling with the temperature control knob! Yay!

It comes with 7 recipes pre-programmed into the computer. You can customize any recipe before you start, but it reverts back to the original when the unit is powered up the next time. He is considering making all of the recipes permanently modifiable, which would be great! It has a pasteurize recipe that is set for 145 F for 30 minutes, too.

He makes two sizes, one that will hold 2 1/2 gallons of milk and one that will hold 3 3/4 gallons of milk. I'm on the list for the larger one, but that will mean I need to order a larger cheese mold, too, since the one I have will only hold about 2 pounds of cheese.

The next batch of cheese makers that he makes will sell for around $370 and $395 plus shipping. For the amount of cheese I make, this is a reasonable price.... very reasonable because there are so many other things on my 'to do' list. I can do things in short spurts around the house (cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, mending, laundry.... you know because you do the same things), and let the cheese maker do the stirring. I am still available to come back and check it every 5 minutes, but I don't have to stand right by the stove.

Here is the first of 16 videos he made to show how to use his Cheese Maker.


Here is the second video that shows the controller:


I love being part of the 'old world' and the 'new world' at the same time. I love the season changes, being with the animals, working with my hands, and doing things that were important to families 50 or more years ago. I also love being part of the 'new world' and having access to computers and the internet, electricity, cars, and grocery stores. I love some of the new gadgets (like this cheese maker) but I don't feel as if I have to own every new thing that comes along (I don't own a swiffer!)

I love living in a small-ish house because it makes me pick and choose what 'things' are important and need a place in our home, and what 'things' aren't important to have. What things will truly make our life a little easier and more enjoyable, and what things will cause more work and upkeep than they are worth.

I love my life! And I will make sure to find some room in our house for this cheese maker!

14 comments:

darius said...

I'm doing something similar, only much cheaper... about $70 in temp control materials plus a used turkey roaster.
http://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/topic,5951.0.html

Of course, no programmed recipes.

TJ said...

Wow! That is great! I'm pretty sure I couldn't figure out how to do that on my own, though :)

I am amazed by the ingenuity of cheesemakers and farmers alike!

Marie said...

That looks really neat! I can't really justify one right now, but if I decide to do more milking of the Icelandic sheep, then I will definitely look into one. I love your philosophy on the old and new. I feel the same way! I like things simiple, but functional, but of really good quality. And I love working with my hands with the animals and gardens, but like the knowledge I can get easily from the internet.

Air Goodman said...

Only trouble is it has an aluminum kettle, and should be stainless steel. It is teflon coated though, so as long as it isnt scratched by your curd knife or utensils, it may be ok. Any other thoughts.

TJ said...

You're right, as long as it isn't scratched it should be fine.

Unknown said...

Where can i buy this machine and have it shipped to Europe?

Looking forward,

Thanks,

Rolf

TJ said...

Hi Rolf,
You can join the Yahoo Group for the Master Cheese Maker.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CheeseMachine/

You can get more information there. These are all custom made so sometimes it takes him a while to get enough orders to make them.

Unknown said...

Hi TJ,

Thanks very much, i have just done so!

Hopefully i will be lucky one day, as the machine is very simple but highly functional!

Thanks again!

Rolf

gi said...

Hi TJ,
How is your cheese making machine doing?
Can you provide contact to purchase it?
The http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CheeseMachine/ is not exist anymore
my

TJ said...

The machine works very well. Unfortunately I can't find any reference to it on the internet any more. The videos are still there, but the man who builds them seems to have disappeared.

Perhaps you can build something similar.

Sugar Nanny said...

Hi, Is he still making the cheese maker? I would love to have one

TJ said...

I haven't been able to find him online anymore.

However I've found that I prefer this method:
http://www.perfect-cheese.com/the-griddle-system

And I find many of my cultures and recipes here:
http://www.cheesemaking.com/

Unknown said...

Where can i buy this machine and have it shipped to israel

TJ said...

I don't think he's making them anymore.