Cheese Maker!

I got a box in the mail on Wednesday (all smiles here!)

Nope! It's not a rice cooker!

It's got a great curd cutter sitting on top!

It's my new semi-automatic Master Cheese Maker!

The computer controls the stirring rod and the temperature! 

No, it wasn't cheap. It was $422.44 including shipping.

But that is much cheaper than changing my flat stove (which Hubby wanted) over to a gas stove (which is what I wanted) because we would have to extend the gas line into the kitchen.

Smooth surface stoves are not very good at temperature control, they are great for adding extra counter space and for cleaning. But making cheese requires very careful control over temperature, both how fast the curd gets to the correct temperature and keeping the curd at the right temperature for the correct amount of time.

This machine is supposed to take care of both!

There is a Yahoo group called CheeseMachine where owners of the Master Cheese Making Machine talk about making cheese and the Cheese Maker machine.

I haven't had a chance to test it yet. Things have been busy around here (aren't they always when you live on a hobby farm!) This weekend is already full, too.

I'm planning on making cheese on Monday..... I'll be posting my results! I'm sure the first few batches will go to the chickens as I get to know the machine, but I'm looking forward to being able to make more batches because someone else will be doing the stirring and heating!

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!