Well, I made the yoghurt according to the instructions more or less. A slight muddle meant that I added twice the quantity of live culture than was needed according to the instructions. I probably let the milk cool down further than was necessary.
I ran it for the 8 hours required and thought that it was still a touch too liquid for my liking, so ran it for another couple of hours until it was getting too close to my bedtime for it to be cool enough to go into the fridge. I had my OH taste test it, and his first and immediate response was to ask what was in it. He only does this when he actually likes something. So I think we have success first time around.
Basically 1.2L of dairy free live yoghurt has costs AUD $2.50 of ingredients excluding the cost of the live culture to start the yoghurt going and the cost of the maker. I think the total weight of what was made was 2.6 - 2.8kg... but I need to double check.
The live dairy free (coconut) starter cost $6 for 400g. I made my live culture using soya milk so have a live soya yoghurt and hence culture for next time, but I do have some interesting recipes to try out for coconut based ones as well. They won't work out as cheaply but, will still be much cheaper than purchasing the equivalent and now that it is getting hotter again, I have moved over from hot porridge back to raw cold porridge oats soaking in yoghurt overnight. Something I have been doing for the last 5-8 years now.
I won't need to buy the starter again if I make the yoghurt at least once a week thus saving that amount. So whilst I have no idea how much I have saved, it is very clear that I have saved plenty doing it this way. And it is much more fun. I can easily make vanilla flavoured live yoghurt (can be done at the boiling the milk stage) or a flavoured yoghurt made after the event. If I make a Greek style set one, or any made with nut milks, I will need to add a thickening agent such as guar guar gum or arrow root, but I have both of those anyway.
So an all round sucesss. I will make the dairy based one once the girls (chooks) have eaten their shop bought one this week (the can have a small amount of my starter so no need to buy fresh for them) and hopefully I can work out how to make cottage cheese as well. They love cottage cheese and I am certain I should be able to do it in the yoghurt maker. I also reckon I should be able to ferment some of their grains for them as well which they will love. I already sprout their grain which they much prefer.
I'll photo the result tomorrow when I get chance.