Soymilk Makers -- worth it?

[Exiled]

Does anyone here have any first-hand experience with a soymilk maker? At $90 to $120 a pop, I gotta know if this is a first class waste of money or terrific investment. I drink about a gallon of soymilk a week.
Any stories, suggestions or what-have-yous is much appreciated. :help:

--Lee

[glamboy]

well think about it. Vita soy is a dollar 50 most of the time and many are cheaper, and depending on how much you drink, you may be wasting SOYMILK if you make too much...i dont know.
~Glamboy

[Blue Plastic Straw]

I've never had soymilk from a soymilk maker that I found palatable, but your milage may vary. I prefer soymilk with more body, like Silk. Soymilk from a home soymilk maker is thinner and has a much more pronounced beany flavor.

[Exiled]

well think about it. Vita soy is a dollar 50 most of the time and many are cheaper, and depending on how much you drink, you may be wasting SOYMILK if you make too much...i dont know.
~Glamboy


nah I doubt I'd be wasting soymilk if I made it, because the machines only make about 2 pints at a time -- for an average cost of 4 cents a quart providing I buy bulk soybeans. Economically I know it's worth it IF the soymilk comes out drinkable, and the machine is durable. That was really my question-- are the machines durable, long lasting, easy to clean etc... and is the soymilk good? Beany flavor is OK-- I kind of like it beany. I usually buy unsweetened soymilk anyway.

[Annie]

I bought a machine from www.soymilkmaker.com over a year ago. I use it at least once a week, sometimes twice depending on if I'm using alot of recipes that call for soymilk (like smoothies, "alfredo sauces", tomato soups etc). It paid for itself in about month 5 or 6. The big thing to remember is to clean it AS SOON as you are done using it! If you do, the filter nearly rinses clean itself with a little help. If you don't, the bean pulp residue (called okara- save it for recipes,too) will stick and harden and be nearly impossible to remove and will clog up the filter. I do still buy silk and mix it half and half for my daughter, because I canNOT get her to take a multivitamin, but she loves soymilk.....(sneaky, sneaky)
I do think the bean flavor is more pronounced if you drink it straight. I always add a touch of sweetner and a bit of vanilla to get it to be more "Store Bought-ish". If you have a specific question or problem for someone who uses a machine regularly, ask me.

[Gnarly]

I made soymilk the other day the old-fashioned way (ie grind beans, boil, strain etc etc) and it came out tasting *so* vile...I swear you could poison someone with it.
*But* then I added a couple drops vanilla and some sugar water, and it's not half bad. Actually, quite good. :D Still a tad beany but definietly drinkable...and I presume you could alter the flavour depending on what you added.

[Annie]

P.S. If you use the 800 number to order, you will have to pay shipping rates. If you order online, the shipping is free. It appears to be under $90 now. When I bought mine it was a little over $100. If it's the one in the picture, it's the same machine.

[Exiled]

Hi Annie -- Yes that's the model I was interested in, the Soyajoy! :vebo: So hows the motor on that thing? With weekly usage is it wearing down at all?

On another note-- I noticed your avatar heading of "Vegan Ambassedor" I find I have a lot of difficulty "validating" my veganism. What do you say to people who assume you're being rediculous adopting the vegan lifestyle?

[Exiled]

I made soymilk the other day the old-fashioned way (ie grind beans, boil, strain etc etc) and it came out tasting *so* vile...I swear you could poison someone with it.
*But* then I added a couple drops vanilla and some sugar water, and it's not half bad. Actually, quite good. :D Still a tad beany but definietly drinkable...and I presume you could alter the flavour depending on what you added.


Hi Gnarly -- I made some the other day from scratch as well -- what a MESS!! It didn't taste bad to me, but the finished product did not justify the amount of prep and clean-up. If you're going to make it again, try adding some agar agar or arrowroot powder to make it thicker :idea: .

[Annie]

Hi Annie -- Yes that's the model I was interested in, the Soyajoy! :vebo: So hows the motor on that thing? With weekly usage is it wearing down at all?

On another note-- I noticed your avatar heading of "Vegan Ambassedor" I find I have a lot of difficulty "validating" my veganism. What do you say to people who assume you're being rediculous adopting the vegan lifestyle?


I haven't noticed a change in the motor at all. But for that amount of money, it BETTER go a long time!!!

Regarding my responses to people: I try to never "slam" meat or dairy consumption, because that automatically shuts down the person listening. Then they are only focused on the next thing THEY are going to say to rebutt you, and they won't hear a word from you, nor would they consider the lifestyle for themselves. It's all about educating in a mild way, almost as if they don't even realize they are letting information into their brains.

It really all comes down to the person you speak with. I have a co-worker who is now starting to buy veggie burgers for herself, and gets soymilk from me. On the other hand, our boss (who has heard the exact same things from me) seems to go out of her way to make me feel scrutinized and outcasted. I chalk it up to the fact that she's in her early 60's and is set in her ways no matter what, while the other person is early 40's and looking to stay healthy and young(ish). I really play up the health aspect more than anything, because it seems that everyone around us all is constantly going to one specialist doctor or another. I truly am the healthiest one there, and I make it no secret that I attribute it to the diet/lifestyle.

[Gnarly]

Hi Gnarly -- I made some the other day from scratch as well -- what a MESS!! It didn't taste bad to me, but the finished product did not justify the amount of prep and clean-up. If you're going to make it again, try adding some agar agar or arrowroot powder to make it thicker :idea: .

Heh...mine wasn't that messy..maybe it's just you :p
I might try the arrowroot next time...would plaster work the same way? :D

[Exiled]

Thanks for the responses guys. :hamster:

[Lelena]

I have been making my own soymilk and tofu for about 10 years. I used to do it with a blender or food processor, which takes awhile and is a lot of work and clean up. I have had the soya soymilk maker for about four years. I paid $125.00 for it. I love it. I make a couple of batches all at once, once a week for soymilk, tofu and soy yoghurt. The cleaner they sell to clean the fliter works great too. :vebo:

[Exiled]

What's the brand name of it?