The double boiler method prevents the milk from sticking to the top pan and the residue is really minimal.

I wash the pan while the milk in the jug is cooling down. Air drying is deemed better than the use of a tea towel.

Some people advocate rinsing the top bowl with cold water before pouring in the cold milk, as a means to prevent sticking even further. My own experience has been the opposite. .

This shows how easy it was to clean the bowl.

Immediately before using it again, I will repeat the washing with hot soapy water and then rinse it and let it sit filled with boiling water for two or three minutes.

Obviously, a dishwasher would do this for you, as long as you time the cycle to finish just prior to making the yoghurt.

The jars can be properly sterilized by putting them into a largish pan with a steamer insert.

Usually nine minutes in steam is considered to furnish adequate protection against bacteria. I must admit, I do sometimes skip the steaming session and merely fill the washed jars with boiling water for a few minutes.

So far I have been getting away with this. When the yoghurt is meant for vulnerable people, small children or the elderly, or somebody with an impaired immune system, one obviously wants to take the utmost care.