Customer Reviews

Basic Hard Cheese Kit

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This kit provides the bare basics for making cheese. The few implements and ingredients are sufficient.

I agree with the first reviewer - the instructions and recipes are not very specific. While a foundation of information is provided - often in snippets throughout the photocopied pages - I found it lacked a cohesive how-to that prepared you before diving into the recipes.

I also found that I had to go to the Internet to find out if what I was seeing in the process was what I should be seeing.

I do disagree with the first reviewer's assertion that wax is required for making hard cheeses. Wax is required only if you plan to age the cheese longer than 3 or 4 weeks. Aging longer is preferable for the hard cheeses.

I'm 2 weeks into aging my first cheese - one with a three-week minimum aging period (gouda). So far, it looks and smells like cheese. I'm looking forward to it.

The instructions could have done a better job of describing sanitization practices. There is much direct handling required of the cheese product from start to finish. There's a definite difference between the standard of clean hands and the standard of sanitized implements (as is required for brewing beer).

No matter what you do, you'll find that your first few batches are somewhat hit and miss. The amount of enzyme and the need to use or not use the included calcium chloride is impacted by the milk you use. I had to toss my first batch. My second batch came together pretty well.

First, you need to understand that this kit does not contain all that you need for making hard cheeses. As it says in the introduction to the instruction booklet, if you are making hard cheese, you must also have cheese wax. I don't know why they would sell a kit that doesn't contain all the necessary items, but at least you are now warned.

Second, the instructions are not written clearly. You would be MUCH better off getting your instructions off the Internet, and save your money.

The items in the kit are of fine quality, however, and if you do not really need instructions for cheese making, then this might be fine for you.

It contains the basics only, but it is enough to try cheesemaking without spending a lot of money. The website has plenty of photos and free information that supliments the included booklet. You will have to improvise a cheese press, but that is simple and information can be found on the internet about this.

If you are sure you want to go into cheese making, then skip this and spend the money to get the right equipment.

I bought this kit as a Christmas present but when it arrived, it didn't come in the cute box as pictured. The contents of the box was merely in a plastic bag - the kind you put vegetables at the grocery store. Closed with one of those wire twist ties. It does not look like a $30 gift. I don't know how good the kit is, but I would not have ordered it if I knew it would arrive like this. A note was included that said they have 'updated' their packaging.

The kit contains most of what one would need to make a hard cheese, but as noted in the other reviews you must purchase wax and improvise some sort of press. (I used my free weights). The mold is flimsy and is the component of the kit that I am most unhappy with. The instructions are not well written and I would advise the beginner to do more research before attempting to make cheese. I think armed with some knowledge, a person who has made fresh cheese could "graduate" to hard cheeses by buying the ingredients a la cart, or making their own from grocery store ingredients. Having said that, the cultures provided in the kit worked fine for me as far as I can tell; my first attempt is still aging.

I do think this is a good kit, I agree though that they should probably just go ahead and include the wax in the kit. I would suggest doing a little reading before just buying the kit. The instructions that come with it are pretty slimmed down but if you have some idea of the basic techniques you should have no problems with it.

I think this is a great kit. I am current aging a 3 month romano cheese, not a waxed cheese. I bought this for the basics, knowing that I would need to get other supplies if I wanted to grow my hobby. It's much cheaper to buy your first items in a kit, rather than individually.

Ok, so i recieved the kit, it was opened previously, taped shut, the rennets were missing... SO I cant make any Cheese, and my package was tampered with... NOT THRILLED!

This kit is hardly worth the money spent. What you get can be bought separately online for less money, at a better quality and quantity. My kit came missing cultures and the thermometer was broken. I had no use for the mold, since it's just a simple ricotta mold. I thought, for the money, there could have been a little more quality.

This kit does provide the basics for making cheese. However, don't expect much in the way of quality. The equipment is flimsy, and the instructions are terrible. Instead of being fun, the cheese making process has been quite miserable. This is coming from someone who makes beer, wine, jam, etc.

Save yourself some pain and suffering. Buy a good book and get your equipment elsewhere. You'll be much happier for it.