# What to do with whey and other yogurt making questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-whey-and-other-yogurt-making-questions/688633 "2014-05-17T14:50:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-whey-and-other-yogurt-making-questions/688633/21 "2014-05-22T02:40:29Z")
I avoid the scorching issue by putting the milk in a half-gallon Ball jar (they’re not made any more, but they aren’t hard to find) and then put it in a large pot full of water, with a trivet on the bottom, and heat it that way. You can make cooked pudding the same way. As for the whey, you can add it to baked goods, like other people have mentioned. I’ve also heard that chickens love it, if you keep them or know someone who does. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-whey-and-other-yogurt-making-questions/688633/22 "2014-05-22T13:54:16Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > You can only use “sweet” whey (whey resulting from rennet-based cheeses) to make ricotta cheese. The whey resulting from yogurt making won’t make cheese (you already removed almost all the protein in your yogurt process). Well this is disappointing news. Thanks for the information. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-whey-and-other-yogurt-making-questions/688633/23 "2014-05-22T18:40:11Z")
[QUOTE=Hello Again] {snip} You can use [whey] as described above, but its not really a waste if you just pour it off. {snip} [/QUOTE] True; however, the greatest concern about disposing of acid whey isn’t so much wastage, as damage to the environment. Although, there are people working on that problem. FWIW, this website has suggestions on how to use whey instead of disposing of it: [The Best Uses for Whey | The Prairie Homestead](http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2011/06/16-ways-to-use-your-whey.html). (Disclosure: I have no connection to this website.) ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-whey-and-other-yogurt-making-questions/688633/24 "2014-05-23T00:08:21Z")
Acid whey is about as acid as tomato juice. I’m pretty sure OP’s home yogurt making isn’t going to strain the resources of municipal water treatment facilities. Urine isn’t good for the environment either, but its still okay to pee in the toilet, right? ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-whey-and-other-yogurt-making-questions/688633/25 "2014-05-23T00:46:22Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > True; however, the greatest concern about disposing of acid whey isn’t so much wastage, as damage to the environment. Although, there are people working on that problem. It’s only an issue at the scale of industrial yogurt makers. For the average home whey, dumping it on plants is going to be good for the plants. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-whey-and-other-yogurt-making-questions/688633/26 "2014-05-23T21:50:41Z")
[QUOTE=Shalmanese] It’s only an issue at the scale of industrial yogurt makers. For the average home whey, dumping it on plants is going to be good for the plants. [/QUOTE] I agree; also, I should have clarified that I was talking about dumping acid whey down the drain, and not on plants, in animal feed or compost heaps. And, sure, one person pouring the occasional quart or two down the drain isn’t a problem. Greek yoghurt is really popular now and homemaker/tightwad/DIY publications have increasingly published articles on how folks can avoid paying $$$ for Greek-style yoghurt by just straining a standard quart of plain Dannon (or store brand). My concern is that if you get enough people doing this who just dump the whey, problems can occur. The cheap-skate environmentalist in me thinks it’s better to encourage folks to find other uses for unwanted (acid) whey than dumping it down the drain. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-whey-and-other-yogurt-making-questions/688633/27 "2014-05-23T22:19:29Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > My concern is that if you get enough people doing this who just dump the whey, problems can occur. > > The cheap-skate environmentalist in me thinks it’s better to encourage folks to find other uses for unwanted (acid) whey than dumping it down the drain. It’s just that this idea is completely illogical. Do you avoid pouring lemon juice, or vinegar water you used for cleaning, down the drain? How about pickle juice?do you rinse tomato sauce off plates? Pour off old coffee? All these things are more acid than acid whey. You’re not pouring it into the nearest creek. You’re pouring it into a municipal treatment system. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-whey-and-other-yogurt-making-questions/688633.md?page=1)