SideSwipe alternating fin design makes mixing a breeze! -Photo courtesy Frut LLC

If you have a standing mixer, such as Kitchen Aid, you know all too well that you must stop and “scrape down the sides of the bowl” during the mixing process. We all put up with having to do this and we figure it’s just part of the process.

However, a compassionate husband (Louis Busick) had an idea as he watched his wife stop her mixer, scrape down the ingredients and resume mixing. With his engineering and product design experience, Busick placed his efforts towards finding a better way to use the flat paddles most standing mixers use and not have to stop the mixer to scrape the sides. The result is the innovative and efficient SideSwipe(TM) spautula mixer blade.

A closer look:

1. Sturdy aluminum connection to mixer.
2. Frame made from heavy duty reinforced nylon for durability and strength.
3. Alternating, angled, silicone wiper fins scrape the sides of the mixer bowl, so you don’t have to!

Features of the SideSwipe spatula paddle:

• Creates a fluffier, creamier product.
• Reducing mixing time 30-60%
• No dry ingredients left on the bottom of the mixing blowl (such as dried fruit or chocolate chips), the SideSwipe fully incorporates the dry ingredients
• Stain and heat resistant to 400 F
• Won’t retain tastes or odors
• Won’t change the temperature of batters
• Top-rack dishwasher safe
• Speeds mixing and reduces overall prep time
• BPA free
• The biggest advantage of this exciting addition to your mixer is that the SideSwipe totally eliminated the tedious, time-consuming chore of stopping the mixer over and over to scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix the ingredients.
  

Side by side creaming comparison

The SideSwipe is best-suited and works wonderfully for most mixtures where a flat beater is used, especially for cakes, creaming butter, mashed potatoes and much more. It is not recommended for stiff doughs such as breads. Try some of my Real Food Living healthy recipes with the SideSwipe. Here are some suggestions:

• Better Butter
• Wheat Free Pancakes
• Coconut Bark – Almond Joy
• Oatmeal Blueberry Breakfast Cake

Where can you get this wonderous invention for your kitchen and which model do you need? Check out the SideSwipe website! The SideSwipe is also available at Amazon.com. Be sure to find your correct model at the SideSwipe info center first! Scroll to the bottom of the page for SideSwipe models to fit your mixer.

Enclume, the foremost manufacturer of top of the line pot racks and kitchen furnishings sought out consumer focus groups to find out which features they would like to see in Enclume’s kitchen creations. The feedback from consumers like YOU is the motivation for the new RACK IT UP!! series. What is so amazing about this company is that they actually LISTEN to the customers out there and considered what people wanted and needed. Enclume responded with RACK IT UP!

“Now virtually everyone can enjoy the same benefits with RACK IT UP!, Enclume’s all-new value-priced pot rack collection. It was designed by consumer focus groups representing families in middle-America homes, condos, townhouses and apartments. The focus groups demanded low cost, good looks, a variety of sizes, strong construction, quick assembly, and the fastest, easiest installation possible.”

RACK IT UP! racks are made with the same attention to detail, quality materials, easy installation and long-term service that has made Enclume the most respected name in the industry over the last 35 years and why they are considered absolutely the best.

And the most exciting news YET, get ready for this… the Enclume RACK IT UP! pot racks range in price from $24.99 – $99.00! That’s an unbelievable value price for this quality product.

Choosing the right Enclume product.

Enclume has a fabulous website which highlights all their products making it easy to choose the right size, model and material for your needs. Click on each product to see the specifications and how it would fit and look in your own home.

Do you have a wide square kitchen? Perhaps one of the ceiling pot racks would work best for you. There are 5 to choose from in various sizes and styles.

Do you have a narrow galley-type kitchen? Perhaps one of the 5 wall pot racks also in several sizes and styles would fit your tastes.

Do you have a small space that you think won’t handle a pot rack? Just take a look at these beautiful, sturdy, yet lightweight racks!

Don’t forget to check out the Enclume RACK IT UP! Videos, they are very helpful and informative.

OK, you’ve looked at these fantastic products and you’ve decided on the one that will best show off your kitchen, but now you may question, “This is great, but I’d have to hire a contractor.” Nope! Think again! RACK IT UP! racks are designed to be installed quickly and easily with a minimum of effort and with no prior experience required. Hardware and tools are included with the RACK IT UP! of your choice.

Our family has decided on the Bookshelf Pot Rack because we have a narrow galley kitchen with a low ceiling. The rack assembled easily and installed just as easily. The Enclume Bookshelf Pot Rack is so sturdy that it holds all the pans we wanted, even though they are heavy cast iron. The change in the look of our kitchen is stunning! We are thrilled with having the pans accessible and stored in one place. We will update you with before and after pictures of our RACK IT UP! installation and kitchen transformation!

Enclume is offering FREE shipping on all their RACK IT UP! products!

Enclume Design Products, Inc. • 24 Colwell St. • Port Hadlock, WA • 98339
phone: (360)385-6100 • fax: (360)385-6156 • toll free (877)362-5863

Disclaimer: The product was provided for review purposes.

Bagels.

Yum. Those round, dense, chewy, tasty bites of history now grace the plates of people from all over the world. Toasted or not, slathered with cream cheese, lox and whitefish, or topped with pizza or sandwich fixin’s…bagels are mainstream! McDonald’s even has had Breakfast Bagel sandwiches filled with egg and cheese.

I literally cut my teeth on bagels, as many kids did. Every Sunday as far back as I can remember, our family shared bags and bags of fresh, warm bagels on our breakfast / lunch table along with vast amounts of the best lox, whitefish, tomatoes, onions and of course, cream cheese. Bagels have been a part of our family’s daily menu as well, for a quick breakfast, or a late-night snack or something in-between, bagels rock!

You can buy bagels fresh, frozen, whole-grain, egg, blueberry, and all the way up to the “Everything” bagel. Best of all, you can make them at home for your family (See my recipe for homemade 100% whole-grain bagels.)

One thing that bagel-lovers share, no matter what their ethnic background, is the danger while cutting those sometimes-slippery rounds of deliciousness. Over the years, we have seen several different types of safety bagel cutters on the market. Remember the old plastic clamshell-type cutter (circa 1960-70’s)? Didn’t work so hot because they only worked (somewhat) on the small grocery-store type of bagels, but even then, it was a dangerous operation for fingers and bagels alike. It also did not accommodate the uneven, large shape of the handmade or homemade bagels. Similar problems exist with the bagel slicers available today, injuries can occur.

According to The American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT), bagel-cutting injuries are a serious problem. Here’s an excerpt from their information regarding what they refer to as “Bagel-Hand.” (I’m not kidding, take a look for yourself!)

“Bagel hand“
Ask many doctors and hand therapists what they believe to be the most dangerous food for possible injury during preparation or serving – and many will say bagels! Thousands of people each year end up in the emergency room from slicing more than just their bagels. According to the Department of Emergency Services at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C., the most under-reported injury is hand cuts from slicing bagels. Some emergency rooms have even started calling the ligament and tendon damage “bagel hand.” Many of these injuries are so severe they require surgery and months of hand therapy to regain normal movement and function.

“Use a bagel slicer instead of a knife,” says ASHT President Christine Muhleman, OTR, CHT.

Good advice!

I have FINALLY found a wonderfully versatile, truly safe, bagel cutter in the Brooklyn Bagel Slicer. THIS is the one I would let my children use. When I was asked to review this product I had no idea what it would look like and given my past experiences with awkward, ineffective and dangerous bagel cutters, slicers and guillotines, I was hopeful for the elusive safe bagel-cutting utensil for my whole family.

When I opened the box and saw the Brooklyn Bagel Slicer, my first reaction was “Now that is adorable!” But the fun really set in when I used it. Ingeniously simple, the Brooklyn Bagel Slicer works and works well with no nicked fingers, no cut hands, no mangled or mooshed bagels and no slippage.

In Product Testing, the only bagel slicer that passed our tests for safety and efficiency is the Brooklyn Bagel Slicer. This is the only one we can recommend for the whole family.

Photo: Brooklyn Bagel Slicer

Advantages of the Brooklyn Bagel Slicer are many. They include the fact it is well-made and sturdy, but lightweight and easy to use, even for a child. The design keeps the cutting blade away from the edge of the cutter so the fingers and hand do not come in contact with the blade. Additional advantages include NSF® certified, dishwasher-safe and easy to store. A BIG plus is that the Brooklyn Bagel Slicer is made in the U.S.A. and developed by a physician for safety. The stainless steel serrated knife blade makes short work of cutting through a bagel or bialy and uneven-shaped objects. The best thing is that you can use this on homemade, 100% whole-grain bagels (which other cutters, slicers and guillotines cannot handle well).

I recommend this product highly and suggest buying several! They make great gifts for your bagel-loving family and friends.

Come and watch the Brooklyn Bagel Slicer in action:
Brooklyn Bagel Slicer video 1
Brooklyn Bagel Slicer video 2
Brooklyn Bagel Slicer video 3

The Brooklyn Bagel Slicer is available from your local kitchen stores in the Charlotte area and online from:

• Brooklyn Bagel Slicer
• My Secret Pantry
• Central Chef.com
• Amazon.com

I was invited to review this product and I was thrilled to receive the oven and put it through its paces after reading excellent feedback on it. The Customer Service at Morningware is very friendly and helpful, which is a plus when considering purchasing any product.

The Morningware oven is fun to use and it works quickly and efficiently to cook so many types of foods. I find myself using it several times a day, almost every day. I bake homemade whole-grain pizza crusts in it and then cook the topped pizzas to perfection. I can adjust the amount of heat and change how browned the cheese gets (since I have some in my family that prefer dark-cooked cheese and some that prefer the cheese light and ooey-gooey. We do pizza at least twice a week using the Morningware Infrared Halogen oven.

I also bake 100% whole wheat sticky buns, cookies, biscuits, cobblers and many other foods one would think were not suited to this oven. As a whole-grain baker, how the Morningware oven handled homemade whole-grain baked goods was extremely important to me. I must say that I am very pleased with the results.

In addition to baked goods, the Morningware Infrared Halogen Oven does a fantastic job on meats (even frozen, not thawed!! That’s right!) Chicken, turkey, lamb, venison, bison, fish, burgers, steaks, vegetables, potato fries and much more, turn out moist inside and are cooked wonderfully on the outside.

Several advantages of the Morningware Infrared Halogen Oven includes that using it keeps me from having to pre-heat and cook using the big oven, thus saving on fuel AND using the Morningware keeps the kitchen cool and smoke-free. I love not having to heat the whole house to roast salmon fillets or vegetables or bake a quick batch of muffins or cookies. Since the “baking bug” may hit me at any moment and I may desire to whip up a batch of something yummy, not having to pre-heat my oven is a huge advantage for me. I also enjoy being able to watch the food cook via the see-through dome and watch it puff up and brown.

The clean-up process couldn’t be easier, but the dome does get hot during the cooking process, so it is prudent to wait until the oven cools down before cleaning.

My Helpful Hints:

• Consider the thickness and the type of food you are cooking. For example, steaks, hamburgers, fish grill up perfectly, but a thick pot roast may be better suited for a slow-cooker as the longer cooking method may be necessary to tenderize a tough, thick cut of meat. I enjoy roasting whole chickens in my Morningware oven, but I also like to butterfly them first, laying them flat on the stainless rack. The chickens roast quicker using this method.
• It may be necessary to flip some foods over to cook the bottom evenly. I regularly do this with my homemade 100% whole-grain pizza crusts. Caveat: I also have to flip my pizza crusts and other foods when baking them in the regular oven, so I don’t consider this a negative aspect of the IR oven.
• A meat thermometer is indispensable for determining the internal temperature of cooked meats and breads. Most of these foods will cook more quickly than using conventional means so taking the temperature of the meat is essential to prevent overcooking.
• When removing the dome after cooking, I place the dome onto a towel or placemat to avoid temperature shock.
• I keep my Morningware Infrared Halogen Oven on my countertop ready to go at ALL times because I want to use it over and over!

VICKILYNN’S WHOLE WHEAT YEAST ENGLISH MUFFINS/ BISCUITS
Yield: 10-12 English Muffins

1 1/4 cup warmed milk 110 degrees (I prefer homemade cashew milk)
1 Tablespoon SAF yeast
3 cups whole wheat pastry flour, plus more as needed, about 1 cup
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons good-quality oil (I prefer organic virgin coconut oil, melted)
1 tablespoon honey or organic sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, optional

In a mixing bowl (I used a Kitchen Aid), place the warmed milk and flour. Add the SAF yeast and stir to mix. Add remaining ingredients and beat well. Add flour as need to have the dough pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be very soft, but not stick to your hands.

Turn out onto a floured board and knead until no longer sticky. Pat out to about 1/2-inch thick and cut into 3-inch rounds. Place the rounds onto a piece of parchment paper, cover with a towel and let rise about 30 minutes (almost doubled).

Place the parchment and muffins onto the steel rack (turned to the lowest position) of the Morningware Infrared Halogen Oven. Bake at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes. CAREFULLY, flip muffins over and bake another 8 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

*They will deflate slightly as you turn them because the bottoms are very soft. Don’t worry, they will puff back up.

Remove to a cooling rack. Split open with a serrated knife and butter the inside, replacing the top and bottom around the butter.

MORNINGWARE INFRARED HALOGEN OVEN

Simple to use, the Infrared Halogen Oven comes with a base, glass tray, stainless steel rack that can be used in 2 positions, a polycarbonate dome and the Morningware Infrared Halogen powerhead.

The Morningware Infrared Halogen Oven can roast, grill, broil, air-fry, dehydrate, barbecue and steam. A truly versatile portable countertop cooking appliance!

Dimensions: 14” H x 13” L x 11” W

Weight: 13 pounds

Cooking Method: Combination of convection, conduction, infrared and halogen light

1 year warranty

100 volts AC, 60Hz, 1200 watts

For more information, please visit: http://morningware.com/oven.html

Manual: http://morningware.com/Manual/Manual.pdf

Cooking Chart: http://morningware.com/Manual/Cooking_Chart.pdf

Recipes: http://morningware.com/Manual/Recipe.pdf

Just what is the “Plus” in the SoyaPower Plus? It is the advanced filterless design that not only offers the easiest soymilk making operation available, but completely changes the options for making homemade non-dairy milks and broths.

The “Plus” is the patented Tornado Grinding System™ which transforms the SoyaPower Plus into a powerhouse machine, with no filter to clean.

The features that I rated so highly on the SoyaPower are included in the SoyaPower Plus; features such as outer insulation covering that surrounds the stainless interior of the machine which makes the machine cooler to touch and also muffles the machine’s noise. I also really like the metal latches that secure the machine head to the body for added assurance. The SoyaPower Plus also retained the automatic shutoff switch as an added security measure. As a mom with children at home, I appreciate these extra features for our safety.

The new SoyaPower Plus not only kept all the great features of the SoyaPower, but improved upon it! Programmable cycle features are expanded in the SoyaPower Plus, making the machine more versatile. The SoyaPower Plus boasts the most pre-programmed operations (4 separate one-touch operations) for a wide variety of combinations or beans, grains, nuts, seeds or legumes.

The four pre-programmed one-touch operations for the SoyaPower Plus are:

• Beans + (Any beans other than soy beans)
• Soy Beans (For excellent soy milk)
• Soy + (For combinations using soy beans and other ingredients, such as soy beans and grains)
• Rice + (For making soups using grains such as rice, or millet)

How to use the SoyaPower Plus

1. Place pure water into the stainless SoyaPower Plus container, between the two marks for minimum and maximum water.
2. Place soaked and drained beans, or rinsed grains directly into the container, into the water.
3. Attach the Tornado Grinding SystemTM to the machine head.
4. Place the machine head into place and secure the latches.
5. Plug the SoyaPower Plus power cord into the wall socket.
6. Choose the correct cycle and press the button to start the cycle.
7. When the cycle is finished, you’ll hear a beep and the cycle is finished!
8. If desired, strain the liquid through the strainer that is provided with the SoyaPower Plus.
9. Refer to the User Manual for the simple cleanup directions.

SoyaPower Plus SoymilkMaker

• 700 watts
• Weight: 5 pounds 4 ounces
• Height: 11 1/4 inches high with handle in the down position, 13 3/4 inches with handle in up position
• Canister (inner): Stainless steel with pouring spout
• Canister (outer): Thermo-plastic cover with side handle, which provides insulation and noise reduction
• Steel Tornado Grinding System™ funnel instead of a filter
• Machine head outer: Thermo-plastic with electronic controls, 4 separate cycles
• Retractable top handle
• Safety shut-off switch
• Metal latches
• Machine head components in contact with the liquid: Stainless steel
• 4 steel grinding blades
• Capacity 1.6 liters
• Plastic drip pan
• Metal strainer
• Plastic pitcher
• Cleaning utensils

SoyaPower Plus Advantages

• Materials that come in contact with the beverages are quality stainless steel
• Steel Tornado Grinding System™ funnel instead of a filter
• Four pre-programmed press-button choices for making perfect non-dairy milks and broths from nuts, beans, grains, rice, seeds and any combination of them.
• Stainless steel canister has pouring spout and a rolled top, making pouring less messy
• The stainless steel canister’s one-piece construction prevents the soymilk from dripping in between the layer of plastic and steel
• Plastic cover over the stainless steel canister reduces noise and temperature during operation. Control pad is programmable for custom cycles and additional function options
• Cycle are fast — approximately 16 -18 minutes depending on choice of cycle
• Includes an added safety shut-off switch
• Plastic drip pan included to stand machine head when not in use; very helpful when removing machine head from the canister when hot
• Metal mesh strainer included, as well as cleaning tools
• 4 grinding blades, compared to 2 blades on other models
• Detailed user manual and free recipe book
• Toll-free order line and Customer Service
• Speedy shipping to all U.S. customers from Sanlinx’s, Tennessee wholesale warehouse
• Excellent Customer Service and warranty
• FREE SHIPPING!

SoyaPower Disadvantages

• None noted

Overall conclusion
I highly recommend the SoyaPower Plus as a wonderful addition to a healthy lifestyle and for anyone desiring to make the freshest, healthiest soy, nut, seed, legume or grain milk at home.

SoyaPower Plus
Sanlinx Inc.
4755 Fowler Drive
Morristown, TN 37814
http://www.soyapower.com/Soyapower-plus.html
Toll-free order line 24 hours 1-888-228-3082
Customer service toll free 1-866-769-6262

© 2010 Vickilynn Haycraft and Real Food Living. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this review may be copied, stored or transmitted in any medium, for any reason without prior written permission of the author.

The SoyQuick Premier 930P is a new generation of soymilk makers with the filterless design that completely change making homemade soymilk. I took notice that it is called a “milk maker” and not a “soymilk maker” any longer. This is to emphasize the versatility of this machine and what ingredients can be used in it. Yes, it makes excellent soymilk, but it does SO much more! Not only soy beans, but multigrains, nuts, seeds, legumes and combinations can be made into delicious non-dairy milks or soups.

The User Manual is impressive, complete with custom, creative recipes that instantly get you started making non-dairy milks. As a cookbook author and certified Recipephile, I could not wait to dive into the exciting, innovative recipes and techniques found in the SoyQuick Premier User Manual. The User Manual also includes step-by-step instructions for making tofu and soy yogurt. The homemade organic tofu is amazing! It tastes fresh and clean and I personally prefer to make tofu with my organic soybeans. If you’ve never tasted organic, homemade tofu, you are in for a treat. And it’s so fast and simple with the SoyQuick Premier 930P, tofu maker, coagulator and instructions in the User Manual.

The SoyQuick Premier 930P is extremely easy to use, easier than using a coffee maker and even easier to clean. The best features of the SoyQuick Soymilk Maker are found in the new SoyQuick Premier 930P, but with the new model has added advantages that make the 930P the most advanced Soy Quick model available. The new 3 pre-programmed cycles are Soymilk, Multigrain and Mung Bean. Using these cycles helps to insure that the grind is smooth and perfectly matches for the ingredients used.

SoyQuick Premier Milk Maker Model SQ930P

• 800 watts
• Weight: 4 pounds 14 ounces
• Height: 14 inches, including top handle
• Canister (inner and outer): Stainless steel. Heavy plastic handle on the outside
• Steel Grind Right Technology™ grinding cover instead of a filter
• Machine head outer: Heavy plastic with electronic controls and top handle
• Machine head components in contact with the liquid: Stainless steel
• Capacity: 1.6 liter
• Safety shut-off switch

SoyQuick Premier 930P Advantages

• Materials that come in contact with the beverages are quality stainless steel
• Steel Grind Right TechnologyTM grinding cover instead of a filter
• Steel canister has pouring spout and has a rolled top, making pouring less messy
• Control pad has 3 programmable cycles
• Cycle length is fast — approximately 16-18 minutes depending on the cycle
• Includes an added safety shut-off switch
• Detailed, informative User Manual with exciting new custom recipes
• Excellent Customer Service, even after the sale
• Toll-free ordering and excellent Customer Service

SoyQuick Premier 930P Disadvantages

• None noted

Overall conclusion

The SoyQuick Premier 930P works easily, quickly and produces excellent non-dairy beverages. The SoyQuick is an excellent, well-made soymilk maker and consistently performs well as advertised. The SoyQuick Premier 930P includes an added safety shut-off switch designed to halt operation should the machine head become unseated. The manual instructions are detailed and very helpful, the machine works easily, quickly and produces excellent non-dairy beverages. The company is friendly and available via phone, fax or email and they are very willing to help the customer, even after the sale. The tofu kit and coagulator included in my order worked easily and produced a mild, delicious tofu. I highly recommend the SoyQuick Premier 930P.

SoyQuick Premier 930P
Kitchen’s Best Manufacturing Group, Ltd.
PO Box 3944
Vancouver BC V6B-3Z4
Canada
http://www.soymilkquick.com/

Toll Free: 1-888-769-5433
Telephone: (250) 716-0003
Facsimile: (250) 716-0390
Customer Service, Information and Inquires: service@soymilkquick.com

© 2010 Vickilynn Haycraft and Real Food Living. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this review may be copied, stored or transmitted in any medium, for any reason without prior written permission of the author.

I wanted to take this opportunity to share some thoughts on my reviews so you can get the most out them to help you in your decisions.

No one should tell you whether you should buy a product. Families may have different needs, desires, tastes, planned uses, budgets, children, situations, etc. I am not advising anyone to buy or not to buy a product. My goal is to simply and clearly tell you how the product performed for me , in my own home, and my overall unbiased comments regarding it. When I personally research a product to purchase, I like to get feedback from others that have used it and ask what they thought of it, positive or negative. I don’t base my decision solely on someone else’s opinions, but I may factor their opinions into the overall picture. However, I am aware that what may be a negative to someone else might not be for me and vice versa, depending on each family’s situation.

I state what I consider are both the positive and negative results when I review a product because I believe the consumer needs to know as much as possible going in before buying any product. Then YOU can make the determination if that product is right for YOU.

What I give you is my opinion, and — like a belly button — each person has an opinion. Your opinion may differ from mine. My opinions are based on many things, some of which are my experience in using different products over many years and my comparison of their performance and function. Also, I have developed a set of criteria that I judge each product by, so that there are standards in place and I am not giving arbitrary comments. Still, they are opinions.

For the record, I do not sell any of these products, nor do I work for any of the companies whose products I test. I am not gaining anything if I recommend a product, other than my readers knowing that if I place my name on a review saying that I liked the product, that I truly liked it and would use it in my own home for my own family. Conversely, if I say I did not like a product, I am not saying someone else may not enjoy it, and I have no agenda other than to present honest, unbiased and totally impartial reviews. You can count on the credibility, integrity and objectivity of my reviews because I answer to God, and not a company.

Thank you for reading and now — back to the Product Review list!

Our family discovered the need for non-dairy alternatives to milk when our eldest son was diagnosed with a milk allergy as a baby almost 20 years ago. We scrambled to find substitutes for milk, butter, cheeses, etc. The choices back then were very limited, very expensive and not very palatable. However, this was all we had, so we endured the limitations in options and taste.

Nowadays, people choose non-dairy beverages such as soymilk, rice milk, oat milk and almond milk for health and taste reasons. With more information coming to light about the health benefits of including a moderate amount of organic whole-food soy in the diet, soymilk has become one of the best sellers for non-dairy beverages. Currently there are several good versions to choose from (enriched, vanilla, chocolate, etc.) and many good brands on the market, although I am careful to check the labels for unwanted additives, sweeteners and thickeners. There are some brands out now that have eliminated the unwanted extras, but most brands add more ingredients than we care to use. In addition, not all brands of soymilk are organic or even non-GMO, which is very important to me. And even though it is convenient and there are many brands to choose from, unfortunately, using a non-dairy milk alternative regularly can still be very expensive. We use milk alternatives not only for drinking but also on cereal and in all cooking and baking where milk is used. I also needed a non-dairy yogurt. The cost of buying these commercially made products took a HUGE bite out of our food budget each month.

So, we searched, compared and shopped for the best brand at the best price. We purchased our non-dairy milks by the case to get the bulk price, and sometimes we were able to order from wholesalers to get the wholesale price. When we were unable to get either of those options due to our locality, or when we ran out and needed some right away, we had to buy from the grocery store and pay the retail price. On average, in our area, one quart of non-dairy milk costs anywhere from $2.30 – $3.75 depending on brand and type. During an average month, we used approximately $30.00 – $50.00 of these beverages. Over a year, we estimate that we spent $480.00 – $600.00 on non-dairy beverages.

As with most things we regularly use, I tried to save money and increase the quality by making the dairy alternatives at home. I did have success making soymilk from scratch using the stovetop method; however, the process was multi-stepped, time-consuming and very messy. It took way too much time and effort for me (not to mention the mess!) to consider making soymilk this way on a regular basis or using it to replace what we consumed in store-bought non-dairy milks. Although I found the milk to be usable in cooking, my family would not touch it as a beverage or on cereal. In other attempts using different combinations, even though it tasted good, I could not get a product that combined my preferences for quality with the convenience and taste/texture of the store-bought. I needed ALL of these aspects to be able to make this work for my family. When I tested the newest automatic soymilk makers, I was delighted to find that I was able to make a product the way I wanted it to taste, while at the same time having it be healthy, convenient and relatively inexpensive.

I am finally able to make a good-tasting milk alternative that my family enjoys without complaint. Making these beverages at home has saved us about $500.00 per year. The automatic soymilk maker paid for itself in about 3 months, and the best news is that the process of making non-dairy milk using a machine is easy, quick and completely automatic (thus saving my precious time for more important tasks!). I am completely sold on using these machines on a daily basis.

Using an automatic soymilk maker has truly been a liberating experience! No more do I worry about running out of our “milk” for cooking or drinking. No more buying huge quantities to get the best bulk price and trying to find a place to store them. No more settling for a brand that is not organic or that adds sweeteners, thickeners or other additives that I don’t want. Now, I simply make my own in about 16 minutes. The process is simple (add water, beans and turn the machine on!), fast and works well every time.

Another benefit is that kitchen mess is eliminated since I only have the machine and a few utensils to wash. Add to the list the joy of saving about $500.00 per year, and using an automatic soymilk maker has me (and my family) celebrating. The best news is that my family drinks the beverages that I make from my soymilk maker, AND they eat the foods made from my homemade non-dairy milks because I use them in place of dairy for all my cooking and baking needs. I also make soy yogurt, soy yogurt cheese and tofu using the milk from my soymilk maker, another big cost-saving advantage for me. Once I found that an automatic soymilk maker was the way for me to get good-tasting soy and other non-dairy milks from my kitchen and I could do it on a daily basis, I went on a mission to find the best machine to fit our needs.

See also…

• II: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – Model Instructions
• III: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyaJoy SJ-5
• IV: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyaPower
• V: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyQuick
• VI: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyToy
• VII: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – Final Comparisons

© 1995-2010 Vickilynn Haycraft and Real Food Living. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this review may be copied, stored or transmitted in any medium, for any reason without prior written permission of the author.

The manufacturer of these three machines recommends using soaked soybeans to make soymilk . While some may see this as a drawback, I found the soaking of beans to be a simple addition to my night-time routine. It takes less than five minutes to do and only uses one cup of space. I believe that using soaked beans is a healthier option than using dry, unsoaked soybeans. In addition, using soaked beans has eliminated the uncomfortable intestinal discomfort that I experienced when using dried soybeans for soy beverages. I soak a few batches of beans and grains and/or nuts, rinse them and store them in a covered container in the refrigerator. This allows me to use my soymilk maker at a moment’s notice. I usually use the previously soaked beans and grains within one week.

For one soymilk maker batch, I rinse 100 gms (dry 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon) of organic or non-GMO Laura® soy beans (*see note) and then cover beans with pure water to soak overnight. In the morning, I drain and rinse the beans well, then place them in the soymilk maker filter basket and attach the basket to the machine head. I then add fresh, pure water to the correct level designated inside the canister (between the two marks), place the machine head on the canister, plug the machine in and press the “Start” button. (You can also feed the soaked beans through the feeding window once the water is added and machine assembled.)

The soymilk maker heats the water, and during the cycle grinds the beans several times. In about 16 minutes or so, I have hot, steaming soy “milk” (or other non-dairy “milks”). There is no need to strain the soy milk since all three of these soymilk makers have an extremely finely woven mesh filter, and the okara (fiber from the bean) is left behind in the filter basket. I save the okara because it is very nutritious (it is part of the whole bean once the liquid has been extracted), and it works well in my recipes such as bread and meatloaf. I even use it in cakes and brownies. (For recipes please visit the Soy milk and Okara Recipes page.)

When the soymilk maker cycle is complete and the machine beeps, I pour the hot liquid into a half-gallon glass canning jar. If we are not drinking it warm (sometimes we have hot chocolate soymilk), I let it come to room temperature uncovered (very important to avoid any “beany” flavor!), then cover it and place it in the fridge to chill. I can flavor the milk later, if I choose, or decide to keep it “au naturel”for my cooking. Sometimes, if I want an extra-fine milk, I use a gold mesh filter and press the fine okara and foam through the mesh so the okara that remains is very dry. I then remove the okara from the mesh filter. This process makes a smooth, creamy milk, great for drinking, but it is not necessary. You can find gold mesh filters where coffee products are sold. My family’s favorite “milk” is Soy – Barley. I use this unflavored in my cooking and baking. We also add dates, natural sweetener, cocoa, vanilla and a pinch of salt for a chocolate “milk” that is outstanding. This can be enjoyed hot or cold. For a thicker beverage, I add a pinch of a natural thickener (guar gum) when mixing in the flavoring. I also enjoy using other nuts and grain combinations.

*Note: I use organic beans as my first choice, but if organic beans are not available, I use Laura® beans which are non-GMO soy beans. You can use any soy bean in the soymilk maker, but different varieties have some taste differences.

Instructions for using the SoyQuick:
www.soymilkquick.com/soymilk.html (additional links for other types of non-dairy milks)

Instructions for using the SoyaJoy:
www.soymilkmaker.com/product.html
www.soymilkmaker.com/recipe.html

Instructions for using the SoyaPower:
www.soymilkmaker.com/Soyapower.pdf

Instructions for using the SoyToy:

The SoyToy uses either dried or soaked beans and/or grains. This can be an advantage to those opposed to soaking beans. Using dried beans saves soaking time and also means you can make a batch (or two or three) of soymilk without making prior preparations. Another advantage to using dried beans is the ability to make broths in the SoyToy. An added benefit is the SoyToy can handle soaked beans/grains if you, like me, prefer to use only soaked ingredients.

To use dried bean/grains: I measure 1/2 cup (90 gms) dried soybeans, rinse the beans and place them into the filter basket. I attach the basket to the machine head and add water to the 1700 cc mark on the canister. This is a little less than 8 cups water. You can choose to use 1300 cc water (also marked on the canister) — about 6 cups — for thicker beverages. I place the top on the machine, fasten the latches, plug it in and press the “On” button.

To use soaked beans: I measure 1/2 cup (90 gms) dried soybeans, rinse and cover with water. I let them soak overnight. In the morning, I drain the beans and rinse them again. I place just 1 measuring cup of beans/grains in the SoyToy filter basket (see note). I follow the same procedure as above, adding water to the 1700 cc mark.

The SoyToy heats the water and during the cycle grinds the beans several times. In about 30 minutes, I have hot, steaming soy “milk” (or other “milks” or soups). Because the mesh screen is wider than the SoyaJoy, I found too much of the bean/grain fiber passes through to the “milk” for my taste, and there is additional straining necessary (even when using soaked beans). The extra straining is not necessary for thicker soups or for the Almond/Oat “milk” (recipe below). Because the mesh screen allows more okara to pass into the liquid, it is important to remove the filter basket immediately after the SoyToy cycle is completed, which is signaled by a beep.

The SoyToy comes with an additional mesh sieve for scooping out the foam, but I found this to be an extra and unnecessary step in the straining process. I pour the hot liquid through an acceptable tool for straining (some use muslin; some use a clean knee-high nylon hose; I use a metal “strip” cup filter) and into a clean half-gallon canning jar. I then recover the okara from the filter basket and what is strained off in the additional straining. I save this okara because it is part of the whole bean and very nutritious. I have also found that straining the SoyToy “milk” is easier when done after liquid has cooled.

*Note: The 1/2 cup (90 gms) of dry beans/grains swells to 1 1/3 cups when soaked. I only use 1 cup of the soaked beans/grains and place the remaining 1/3 cup into a container which I keep in the fridge. When I have 1 cup accumulated, I make a SoyToy batch.

Instructions for using the SoyToy:
www.soytoy.com/soytoytm.html

See also…

• I: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – Overview
• III: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyaJoy SJ-5
• IV: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyaPower
• V: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyQuick
• VI: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyToy
• VII: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – Final Comparisons

© 1995-2010 Vickilynn Haycraft and Real Food Living. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this review may be copied, stored or transmitted in any medium, for any reason without prior written permission of the author.

SoyaJoy Automatic Soy Milk Makers

• 800 watts
• Weight: 4 pounds 14 ounces
• Height: 14 inches including top handle
• Canister (inner and outer): Stainless steel. Plastic handle on the outside.
• Filter basket: Stainless steel mesh
• Machine head outer: Plastic with electronic controls and feeding window and top handle
• Machine head components in contact with the liquid: Stainless steel
• Yield: 6 cups liquid
• Safety shut-off switch
• U.L. listed

To use the SoyaJoy:

See II: Automatic Soy Milk Makers Model Instructions at this site
or view the instructions for the SoyaJoy at the manufacturer’s website.

SoyaJoy Advantages:

• Materials that come in contact with the beverages are quality stainless steel.
• Filter basket mesh is finely woven and it effectively filters the fibers from the liquid, eliminating the need for additional straining, unless desired.
• Steel canister has pouring spout and has a rolled top, making pouring less messy.
• The steel canister’s one-piece construction prevents the soymilk from dripping in between the layer of plastic and steel.
• Control pad is programmable for custom cycles and additional options.
• Feeding window is an option for adding beans/grains.
• Cycle length is fast — approximately 16 minutes.
• Passed U.L. safety testing and carries the U.L. listing.
• Includes an added safety shut-off switch.
• User manual and free recipe book.
• Toll-free ordering and Customer Service.
• Speedy shipping from Sanlinx Tennessee wholesale warehouse to all U.S. customers.

SoyaJoy Disadvantages:

• The machine head and the filter basket do not stand up. They must be propped up after being removed from the machine. I lay mine in a large stainless bowl.
• The steel outer surface of the machine gets hot to the touch during operation.

Overall conclusion:

The SoyaJoy works easily, quickly and produces excellent non-dairy beverages. The cost of the machine has been recouped by saving the money previously spent on commercial non-dairy milks. I use this machine regularly in my kitchen and recommend it highly.

For recipes using the SoyaJoy, please visit Soy Milk and Okara Recipes.

SoyaJoy
Sanlinx Inc.
4755 Fowler Drive
Morristown, TN 37814
www.soymilkmaker.com
Toll-free order line 24 hours 1-888-228-3082
Customer service toll free 1-866-769-6262

See also…

• I: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – Overview
• II: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – Model Instructions
• IV: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyaPower
• V: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyQuick
• VI: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – SoyToy
• VII: Automatic Soy Milk Makers – Final Comparisons

© 1995-2010 Vickilynn Haycraft and Real Food Living. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this review may be copied, stored or transmitted in any medium, for any reason without prior written permission of the author.