>>>Can you use store bought yogurt as a starter?<<<
Yep - But only if it is the LIVE type like Dannon and others. Some are pasteurized after culturing and that kills the acidophiles bacteria so you can’t use that. They usually state ‘live’ somewhere on the container.
>>>What is the purpose of the dehydrator? Remove liquid or furnish heat? If for heat, could you make this on the back of a wood-burning stove?<<<
Purpose is for even temperature. Yes, you can do it on the back of a wood stove.
>>>Can you use pasteurized milk,or must it be raw milk?<<<
Either works, but probably better to use pasteurized (heat to 185 degrees F. for at least 10 minutes and then chill VERY rapidly - the faster the better for best taste - haven’t heard of any undulant fever recently, but better to be safe. You can also use soy milk and even powdered milk. The thickness of the yogurt is related to the butterfat content and milk solids, and can be enhanced by adding some powdered to the regular milk for a thicker yogurt.
Check the temperature on the back of your stove (I would put a container with water and a thermometer till I found the right temperature zone) - you want a steady 110 degrees F. to culture it for 4-6 hours. Below that temperature it doesn’t culture and above 115 it will kill it leaving you with hot milk.
>>>At 81 years of age, do you think Obama would consider his life worth the expenditure, even though he has had eight healthy, productive years since? I think NOT.<<<
He has the very best of medical care - YOU!!!
Government can/will never equal that!
>>>He has the best of medical care/you>>>
What a gracious compliment!!
Hubby tells people that I have done a better job in keeping his stoma healthy for eight years than all nurses did for ninety days, but to be fair, they were dealing with staph.
Thanks for the info. Think I can put a thermometer in a pan of water beside the milk and use that as a gauge to maintain the correct temperature. I only have access to pasteurized milk presently as all farmers in the area have stopped selling raw milk because of regulations. Sure do miss the cream on the top of raw milk.
Home made yogurt would be much less expensive and better if I can get the process done correctly. Will give it a try anyway.