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SOYTOY AUTOMATIC SOYMILK MAKER
PRODUCT REVIEW
by Vickilynn Haycraft

SOYTOY SOYMILK MAKER

  • 900 watts
  • Weight: approximately 5 pounds 10 ounces
  • Height: 13 1/2 inches including top handle
  • Canister (inner): Surgical stainless steel with welded latches
  • Canister (outer): Plastic with handle on the outside
  • Filter basket: Surgical stainless steel mesh
  • Machine head outer: Plastic with Start button, operation indicator light and top handle
  • Machine head components in contact with the liquid: Surgical stainless steel
  • Yield: 6 - 8 cups liquid (depending on amount of water used)

To use the SoyToy:

See Instructions for using SoyToy
View the complete user manual for the SoyToy, including instructions: http://www.soytoy.com/soytoytm.html

SoyToy Advantages:

  • Materials that come in contact with the beverages are stainless steel
  • Either dry or soaked beans/grains can be used, though I do not recommend using unsoaked beans/grains (see Product Reviews)
  • Canister has plastic coating over the steel. (This is also a disadvantage -- see below.)
  • Top latches on securely
  • Removable rubber blade covers are included for storing safety
  • Bottom of filter basket stands up using "legs" -- a plus when removing from the machine while hot
  • 900 watt motor
  • U.L. listed

SoyToy Disadvantages:

  • Filter is not adequate to strain out fiber particles, requiring additional straining (a big disadvantage for me!)
  • Cycle is not programmable
  • Pouring is messy (very drippy) since there is no pouring spout. I pour over the sink.
  • Plastic layer over the steel canister creates a space where the dripping liquid can pool -- in between the plastic and the steel. Over time, the soymilk trapped in the space can create a bad smell
  • Machine gets hot to the touch during operation, even with plastic overlay
  • Filter basket has soldered "legs" that break off easily. Do not grab the "legs" or use them to twist the basket on and off
  • Filter basket must be removed immediately when cycle ends because the okara "melts" back into the liquid, making it gritty and difficult to drink or even use without being strained
  • Machine is extremely loud during operation, significantly louder than the SoyQuick, SoyaJoy or SoyaPower

Overall Conclusion:
I found the SoyToy to be not as well made as I had hoped (the filter basket broke on the first use, and the replacement broke shortly after the first use). The plastic canister overlay had space that allowed soymilk to seep in between the inner liner and the plastic overlay. The filter mesh was not as tight as the SoyQuick, SoyaJoy or SoyaPower filters and resulted in very large pieces of okara that had to be filtered out before the beverage could be used, even in my cooking. The SoyToy okara was so large that it clogged up several filters that I tried and the only one that worked well for me was using a clean knee-high nylon hose (which, personally, I would rather not do!).

The manual was somewhat entertaining and well laid out, but it did not include a great deal of tangible, helpful information on the machine or recipes. I was put off by the extensive commentary and soap-boxing by the owner as well as the negative campaign against his company's competitors in the soymilk maker market. The first 8 pages (as well as parts of other pages scattered throughout the manual) are devoted to Mr. Cohen's controversial opinions on many issues, some of which have little or no relation to the machine or its usage.

I personally would not use or recommend this machine since there are other machines that produce better results, are better-made, have added benefits and features, and are significantly less expensive than the SoyToy.

SoyToy LLC
325 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
http://www.soytoy.com
Toll-free order by phone: 1-888-668-6455


© Copyright 1995-2008 Vickilynn Haycraft
All Rights Reserved

Vickilynn Haycraft is a wife, mother of 5, homeschooling parent, writer, columnist and reviewer. To subscribe to Vickilynn’s free weekly newsletter on better health, "Real Food Living" go to: http://www.topica.com/lists/realfoodliving or visit her website at http://www.realfoodliving.com or send an email to: Vickilynn@realfoodliving.com


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