Is Instant Pot Duo Crisp Good for making yogurt from scratch?

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a 6-quart multi-cooker that includes a pressure cook lid and a separate air fryer lid. It offers 11 smart programs including yogurt, pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, sous vide, sterilize, and air fry/roast. The yogurt function is specifically designed to heat milk to optimal temperatures and then maintain the incubation temperature for fermentation. The Duo Crisp also has a built-in thermometer that monitors temperature during sous vide mode, which can be used for precise heating. However, the air fryer lid is not required or used for yogurt making.

Making yogurt from scratch is a simple but precise process. It typically involves heating milk to 180°F to kill unwanted bacteria and denature proteins for a thicker texture. Then the milk is cooled to about 110°F, and a starter culture (e.g., a few tablespoons of plain yogurt) is whisked in. The mixture must be held at a steady 110°F for 8-12 hours to ferment. Key requirements: accurate temperature control, consistent heat maintenance, and a non-reactive container. Benefits include controlling ingredients (no additives, sugar, or thickeners), cost savings, and the satisfaction of making your own.

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp's yogurt function is highly rated for making yogurt from scratch. It uses the pressure cook lid (not the air fryer lid) to first heat milk to the target temperature (the 'Boil' stage) and then automatically switch to the 'Incubate' stage. Users report that the process is straightforward: pour milk into the inner pot, select the Yogurt function, and press the 'Adjust' button to choose 'Boil' (for pasteurization) or 'Normal' (if using ultra-pasteurized milk). After heating, the pot beeps and displays 'Cool' as it cools to around 110°F. Then you add starter, stir, and set the incubation time (usually 8-12 hours). The Duo Crisp maintains temperature very accurately (±1°F), thanks to its sous-vide thermostat. Compared to a dedicated yogurt maker, which typically makes 1-2 quarts, the Duo Crisp can make up to 1.5 gallons (though 1 gallon is more practical) because of its 6-quart capacity. However, the Duo Crisp lacks a dedicated 'boil' program that automatically stops at a precise temperature; some users find it over-heats milk, causing a burnt bottom layer. Workaround: use the sauté function to heat milk manually, stirring constantly, to 180°F. Also, the Duo Crisp’s yogurt setting has a longer cool-down phase than some other Instant Pot models, which can be a minor inconvenience. Overall, the Duo Crisp performs very well for yogurt, but the air fryer lid is not utilized, so if you don't need air frying, a standard Instant Pot Duo (with only a pressure lid) might be more affordable and simpler.