The 9 Best Soy Milk Makers
Special Honors
ProSoya Soya Milk Machine If it isn't at-home use, but industrial, that you're concerned with, the ProSoya Soya Milk Machine is a robust option that can create thousands of liters per hour. But that efficiency does not come at the cost of taste, as these machines can create smooth, creamy beverages that can please even pickier customers. prosoya.com
Almond Cow Plant-Based Milk Maker The Almond Cow Plant-Based Milk Maker doesn't have tons of fancy features, but doesn't need to, because it quickly and easily makes an enjoyable beverage. You can prepare up to 48 ounces at once just by pressing the cute cow power button located on the lid. almondcow.co
Editor's Notes
March 30, 2021:
We noticed that two of our previous picks, both from the popular Chinese manufacturer Joyoung, weren’t available during this update, so we decided to eliminate them from our rankings, being as the brand was still seeing some representation through a third option: the Joyoung Automatic CTS-2038. Plus, we added the Joyoung DJ13U-P10 to our rankings, which, despite having a capacity that’s comparable to many of our alternate choices, clinched a spot at the top of our list, thanks to its sleek, touch-control interface and integrated timer.
We also replaced the SoyaJoy G4 with its logical successor, the SoyaJoy G5. This new model has a design that closely resembles the G4, but also boasts a few practical improvements. The first, and likely most obvious, differentiator is the layer of thermoplastic insulation that coats the G5, improving the unit’s heat retention, guarding against burnt fingers and significantly altering the device’s overall look. The G5 also brings a basic LED display to the table, which is primarily used as a countdown timer, but also comes in handy for displaying error codes.
Our other new inclusions this time through are the Simple Living 4-in-1 SLP-SM-SB1 — a basic unit with a simple, intuitive interface and a stainless-steel aesthetic that will blend in well in most modern kitchens; and the Tayama DJ-15SS — which was removed from our list in the past, due to availability questions that seem to have since been resolved. It doesn’t have the biggest capacity in the category, but it does come with a few simple accessories to help get you started on your milk-making journey.
Now that you’ve got your soy milk solution all sorted out, don’t stop there. Swing by our list of tofu presses to see if you can find any more equipment to help completely redefine the way your kitchen interacts with soy products.
December 31, 2019:
At this time, it has become difficult to find the Tayama DJ-15S Multifunctional, so we have opted to replace it. We've also removed the Joyoung CTS-1078S and the Sonya SYA19A due to some issues with long-term durability. But we still think that the Soyajoy G4 and the Joyoung Milk Maker both represent a good value. The former is less expensive than the latter, offering fewer features overall. For those who don't like complicated kitchen gadgets, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. We kept the Tribest Soyabella SB-130, as well, even though some find it a little hard to wash. Finally, we've opted to add two options that help you make delicious soy milk, but that aren't actually all-in-one soy milk specific machines. These are the Chufamix Vegan Premium, a strainer that pairs with an immersion blender, and the Vitamix E310 Explorian, a blender that makes a fine addition to just about any kitchen. It can heat ingredients as it blends, but don't expect it to fully cook a nut milk, the way that some of our other selections will.
Why Use A Soy Milk Machine?
In soy milks purchased at a supermarket, the ingredients list can include more than 10 items.
Soy milk was traditionally made by hand. Since the industrial revolution, large companies have taken over most of the soy milk production around the world. People looking to simplify their dietary intake choose to continue creating soy milk from scratch. There are a variety of reasons for this.
Traditional soy milk only has two ingredients: soy beans and water. In soy milks purchased at a supermarket, the ingredients list can include more than 10 items. Companies often opt out of using whole soy beans; instead selecting soy flour as the base of their milks. These milks make up for the difference in flavor by adding sugar and flavorings to the product, but the change is palpable. Still others choose to cut down on their processing costs by including damaging thickeners such as carageenen. This allows a company to charge a consumer the same amount, despite having less soy in their product than necessary.
A soy milk machine eliminates these problems. Milk made from an in-home soy milk machine can be made as thick or as thin as the user desires. The ingredients remain simple: just soybeans and water. Should a dessert soy milk be desired, the user simply adds sugar and flavor to their liking before processing.
The process of creating soy milk in a machine is also faster than driving a vehicle to the supermarket. Most modern machines take less than 30 minutes to create soy milk. Some models even offer a self-cleaning mechanism.
Using a soy milk machine is also an economical choice. High quality soy milks can be expensive, and the only cost incurred from a soy milk machine is the purchase of the soybeans themselves. An average bag of soy beans can produce enough milk for a week.
The Birth Of Soymilk
Signs of hand made soy milk production go as far back as the first century. The soybean is such an integral part of the Chinese culture it is known as one of the five sacred grains.
In the first step of soy milk production, dry soybeans are soaked overnight.
In the first step of soy milk production, dry soybeans are soaked overnight. These rehydrated beans are then ground with enough water to process them. This was traditionally done with two stones. The birth of the millstone provided soy milk producers with an easy way to process the beans. Now, modern machines use large blenders, motorized whisks, and wet grinders to create soy milk.
The millstone also brought with it the discovery that excessive heat processing produced a better tasting end product. Since then, soy beans have been thoroughly heated to create the nutritious drink known today. Modern day mechanisms include heating elements introduced to the churning beans in the form of heated grind stones and boiling water.
After the mixture is sufficiently processed and heated, manufacturers strain off the insoluble pieces of soy bean husk which remain. The husk is strained using a cheese cloth or fine strainer, and the resulting liquid is soy milk in its rawest form. From here, the milk is usually fortified with vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D. If any flavorings or sugar will be added to the mixture, it is done at this stage. The mixture is then given a final agitation for consistency. The liquid produced is off-white, varies from thin to medium consistency, and has a mild flavor.
What Else Can The Soymilk Machine Make?
In a house which does not make soy milk regularly, a soy milk machine may find itself spending a considerable amount of time in storage. Luckily, modern soy milk machines offer many more benefits than the creation of any one item.
The soy milk machine is composed of two basic processing elements: one for churning and one for heating. A multitude of daily use recipes can be created using such a simple machine.
Milks from various nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews, and hazelnuts can be made in much the same way as soy milk.
With a soy milk machine, a cook can enjoy the ability to create hot pureed soups quickly. The process is as simple as adding the raw ingredients and pressing the start button. For a simple rice porridge, the precooked ingredients can be quickly heated and processed. The soy milk machine can also make porridge from scratch with raw ingredients.
Milks from various nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews, and hazelnuts can be made in much the same way as soy milk. Simply soak the nuts overnight, and add sufficient water for processing. Milks can be made from many grains like barley and rice as well. For thick dessert milks, less water is used and sugar and spices may be added to the mix.
On hot days, these machines can also easily create milkshakes. If the heating element is turned off, the machine operates in much the same way as a blender, leaving a thick, rich milkshake after a short processing time. In cold weather, a soy milk machine can be used for making hot chocolate. The machine rapidly brings the drink up to temperature while simultaneously blending it to a smooth consistency.
For a chef looking to create their own ingredients from scratch, the machine can be used to make syrups, flavor concentrates, jellies, and chutneys with ease. With a creative culinary mind, the possibilities are endless.