I think I had housemates who used a lamp.

I wish I could offer *the* solution, but I do know it can be done without special stuff. My dad made all our yogurt for years but I don't remember a single thing he did or used.

I can tell you I culture cream into creme fraiche at room temperature.

Deloris -

One thing you might try is to build a small box with a lightbulb socket in it. You use the heat from a regular lightbulb to warm the box. I made something of the sort to keep a batch of mead going during the winter (it likes warmer temperatures, too). You can experiment with different wattages to adjust the temp.

Don't know if it would be cheaper than buying a machine...

Funny you should mention that- I've been making my own yogurt for a few months now. Here's what I do- take an empty, clean yogurt container & pour in enough milk to fill it (I leave about an inch or so clearance from the top. Empty the milk into a sauce pan & heat until almost boiling, then allow to cool to 115 degrees F. In the mean time, I take my dutch oven/sauce pot & fill it with hot water from the tap (enough so the yogurt container can sit in it without being covered. Make sure you measure the temp of the water also (I had it too hot once & killed off my culture). When the milk is cooled enough, pour it into the yogurt container & add several tablespoons of a yogurt of your choice- I use stonybridge farms organic as my starter, but any one will do as long as it has active cultures. Put the lid on the yogurt container & place it in the warm water. Put the lid on the pot & wrap it in a towel, or alternatively you can check it every 2 hours or so & bring the water back up to the right temp (last time I just used the towel- best results yet!). Let it sit for around 8 hours, & refrigerate before eating. Now, I use mine in my granola every morning, so I like it to be a bit soupy. If you want to drain the excess whey, you might want to pick up a yogurt strainer (although I heard you can even use a coffee filter). Save the whey to use in other recipes- like bread- very nutrious & a great source of protein. Anyway, when I get down towards the bottom of the container, I pour out enough to use as a starter, then wash the container & start again!

Hope this helps!

PS- My family loves when I add fruit- just buy frozen berries & sugar them to bring out the juice like you would for strawberry shortcake. Add it to the yogurt, & they can add additional sugar if they want to!

Springli

a $30.00 crock pot?

Do you have a gas stove? Electric might work also but you have to pay extra attn.
You can make yogurt on the stove top, thats how my mother in love makes it.