When our kids were little I used to make yoghurt as we consumed a fair amount. It was cheaper to make your own than to buy the commercial yoghurt.
We bought a Decor Dairyo way back in 1983
and it was used regularly until the thermometer was dropped by me! We had some difficulty in getting a replacement thermometer even though the instructions in the back cover said it was possible to obtain replacements.
We had to go with a candy thermometer and that seemed to do the job ok.
Now that it is just my husband and I at home we don’t consume as much yoghurt and I had got out of the way of making my own. After my elder daughter had borrowed the Decor Kit to make yoghurt for her family I thought I would give it a try again. The Decor Dairyo is now back with us and today I made my first batch of yoghurt for a few years.
I had forgotten how easy it is to do. Added to the ease is the fact that we now own a digital thermometer so we can get an accurate reading of the temperature when heating and cooling the milk.
The table of contents shows you the other dairy treats you can make using the Decor Dairyo.
When checking to see if you could still buy this item I found that it is no longer made. I guess that makes ours an heirloom!
You may be able to find one at an op shop.
Gippsland Granny 
It has never occurred to me to make my own yoghurt but I like the look of your machine. I have the feeling that your house is full of valuable bits and pieces purchased and kept nicely over the years. Great to see the yoghurt machine is still in working order.
I am so happy to see this. I have one. I bought it when I was 16 years old for I loved the idea of self-sufficiency (hippy parents). I have been using it for all these years on and off. I am now on an island in the Mediterranean where I can’t get soured cream (not part of the local culture) so I make my own. I have looked to purchase a similar one for my brother but they all seem to be electric these days. How stupid. This is basic and it is all one needs. I am sure if they re-launch this it will be a good seller since it is perfect.
I agree. You certainly can’t buy them now and I am sure they would find a ready market if they relaunched it. You can sometimes find one in thrift stores.
Thank you very much for posting this. It is really appreciated. I have the same yoghurt maker but as it is a 1980’s product, have long lost the instructions. Just have to buy a thermometer……. thanks again
Hello,
Thanks for this post. I haven’t used my Dairyo for 25 years. My husband says we got if for a wedding present but I thought I owned it before I was married. I dont have the booklet, well I thought it would be easier to google than look for it! So I was really pleasantly surprised to find this. Now I have officially started my 20thrifteen frugal living. I am waiting for the milk to cool. I am using the original thermometer and also a digital one and they are both reading the same. I can’t wait to taste my first batch in 25 years.
Regards Kathy20thrifteen
I hope you enjoyed your first batch and continue to make many more. Occasionally I would have a failure because I didn’t get the temperature right or used the wrong type of yoghurt as my new starter but nine times out of ten the batches were successful. Glad you enjoyed my post.
Yes I have had the decor dairyo yoghurt maker since 1983, it is all in tact and used here all the time…I love making my own yoghurt as I know exactly what goes into it and love the taste.. And so easy to use…
Now there is only the two of us at home I no longer use the yoghurt maker but my younger daughter has it now.
Great to hear that you are still using yours. I wonder why Decor or some other company doesn’t make the kit now? Most yoghurt making kits now you have to buy sachets of powder.
Mum and I were making yogurt back in the 60s. Used to wrap the jar in towels and keep it in a warm place until it set. Wonder we didn’t make ourselves ill – but it worked. Then Mum bought a dairyo – must have been in the late 60s – and its been in use ever since. I’ve still got it and its original box, book and thermometer. Now trying to get one for my daughter in law – anyone got a spare?
I am surprised that the Dairyo flask is no longer produced as I continue to use mine today. I think it would cerrtainly be a seller in the market today. Maybe you would be able to find one on Gumtree or ebay or keep an eye out in the op shops. The yoghurt makers nowadays all seem to require powders of some sort.
Glad to hear that you still use your Dairyo too.
Heather
Hi Gippsland Granny,
I just bought this exact one this morning from a second hand store. However there is no thermometer. I’ve been borrowing a friends yoghurt maker which doesn’t require thermometer. Her one is a more recent version and you simply use the store yoghurt mix sachets and add water and then fill up half way round the inner yoghurt container with hot water? Do you think this one would work if I just popped the yoghurt mix available in the grocery store and added water and then filled up round the outside with boiling water? I’m trying it now and will see. But if it doesn’t work how do you use the thermometer?
Million thanks for any advice you may have.
Michelle
The thermometer is for testing the temperature of the milk as it is critical when you add your spoonful of yoghurt to start the process of the new batch.
I wouldn’t put water in the actual flask as it is for keeping the yoghurt batch at a set temperature.
Hope this is of some help to you.
Heather
Thanks Heather! The article is really helpful. I’m going to get a thermometer and try doing it that way. Many thanks
Our glass jar broke this morning 😩
I found your post while praying we might be able to locate a replacement….
I can’t find one, only yoghurt makers that use powder. But lovely to aeee there are plenty of people that pull out this heirloom and reap the be if its if it’s simplicity 😊!
Hi Michelle,
I was able to buy a spare jar at a kitchen shop that sold various storage jars. The other thing you could try would be to look at glass jars in thrift shops or if in the supermarket you might find a jar that contained something and was the same as the one you broke. Good luck with your search.
Heather
Great Blog.I have been using my Decor Dairyo Yoghurt Maker for nearly 35 years. In that time I have broken many thermometers. I still have the original jar and manual. I have picked up several more Dairyo in second hand stores and have added jars and thermometers and copies of the recipe for gifts to my girl friends. It is a big hit with all of us.Cheers
Hi Cheryl, That is such a great idea to give the Dairyo as a gift to your girl friends. I haven’t seen any in my visits to second hand shops here in Victoria.
Heather
Hi Cheryl, fortunately stumbled over this blog. I am in ‘desperate’ need for the recipe booklet. Can you send me a copy?
Has anyone made other things but yoghurt?
Sven
Hi Sven, Heather here. I will have a search for my recipe book as I have packed the yoghurt maker away. Will send the recipes when I get it out.
Hi, I found a booklet here:
Click to access m9518_v1_dairyo-delights_recipe.pdf
Hope it helps, even if it’s a year later…
Thank you.
Thanks for writing this Cheryl, I have just dug out my DAIRYO yoghurt maker which I inherited from my parents when they downsized the family home. But I have never used it. Thanks to your post with the instructions for making yoghurt with the DAIRYO I can now have a go at my first batch.
As I don’t have the recipe book either I would also be very keen to get a copy if you find yours.
Thanks again, Bronwyn
Hi again Cheryl,
I have just found the DARYIO recipe book at the following Decor website link: http://www.decor.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/m9518_v1_dairyo-delights_recipe.pdf
So, no need to send me it now. But thanks again for telling your story of using it and how simple it is. I am going to make some now.
Cheers, Bronwyn
Hi Bronwyn, Heather here. I am the person who writes this blog. Thank you so much for including the link to the recipe book as it will certainly be helpful for those who come across a flask but no instructions. Thanks again,
Heather aka Gippsland Granny.
Awesome. Thanks so much. Very interesting tip at the end of the booklet on how to make smaller batches.
Hi Sven, Thank you for pointing out the tip at the end of the booklet. I will now go back to making my own yoghurt in smaller batches. Thanks again.
Hi Heather
The Dairyo was designed by Richard Carlson for Decor… I’m a big fan of its elegant simplicity and effectiveness.
In line with Bronwyn’s post re PDF instruction book, here’s some additional info:
There are NO spare parts available for the Dairyo any more (I checked with Decor), so guard that iconic thermometer carefully!!
If you break the jar (or want to make a different flavour), a #31 Fowlers Vacola glass jar fits perfectly. Snap on plastic lids are also available.
A little bit of 1950’s Australia reaching into the 80’s.
Can find them at flea markets $1-2 each.
If you break or lose the original jar’s screw on lid, a lid from the Healthy Baker 1kg plastic flour barrel fits perfectly.. albeit blue-red-yellow in colour vs cream.
https://www.healthybaker.com.au/
Hope this helps keep more Dairyo’s in operation for another generation!
Hi Graeme,
Thank you for your informative comment. Much appreciated.
Heather
I came across your post while researching homemade yogurt. I was inspired so I got on ebay and found one! It has arrived and looks to be in good shape. I am wondering though if the lid to the outer flask should be tight, sort of like a seal? This one slides on loosely. I’m looking forward to giving it a try. Thanks.
Hi Aliason,
My apologies for the delay in replaying to your comment. I haven’t been on the blog for quite a while.
The lid is not a tight seal, it does just slide on loosely so you should be good to go.
Let me know if you have success with your yoghurt.
Heather
Thanks for your reply Heather. I finally picked up some raw goat milk so I will let you know if I have success. Fingers are crossed.
I got one of these as a Christmas present in 1983 from my mum and dad and never used it. I dug it out from one of the shelves in my garage and found that a mouse had eaten a hole in the box and part of the user guide. Everything else is pristine. If anyone has the manual and could scan it to a pdf I would be most grateful as I would love to use it now that I am retired and have the time.
Hi Sheryl,
My apologies for taking so long to reply.
There used to be a link to the booklet in one of the comments bu unfortunately that link no longer works. I will see if i can post a copy of the instructions on my blog. Hope this will help.
Heather
Reblogged this on Gippsland Granny and commented:
There have been many comments on this post written ten years ago and often I have been asked for instructions on how to make the yoghurt in the Decor flask. There was a link in the comments to a website that gave detailed instructions but that link no longer works. I will post a photo of the main instruction page which also has a little added bit on how to make a small batch rather than the full jar provided with the kit.
Hope this helps folk.