I spent the last three months testing and comparing the best deluxe cheese making kits with molds on the market, and I want to save you the trial-and-error. A good deluxe cheese making kit takes the guesswork out of sourcing rennet, cultures, citric acid, calcium chloride, and (most importantly) the cheese molds that turn loose curds into proper wheels, blocks, or baskets.
After pulling 10 kits from brands like Standing Stone Farms, New England Cheesemaking Supply Co., Fermentaholics, PetriStor, and Country Trading Co., my team narrowed the field to the kits that actually deliver on the “deluxe” promise. We focused on kits that include food-grade cheese molds, real basket or follower molds (not just cheesecloth), and ingredient sets generous enough to last 20+ batches. The kits below cover every cheesemaker level, from 30-minute mozzarella beginners to home cheddar pressers.
If you want a quick answer: the Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Kit is the best deluxe cheese making kit with molds overall. It earned Food Network’s Best Overall award five years running and includes both mesophilic and thermophilic cultures, plus enough ingredients for 20 to 25 gallons of milk. For those shopping on a tighter budget, the Fermentaholics DIY Fresh Cheese Kit hits the sweet spot for fresh cheeses, and the QG Group 4-Piece Mold Set is the right pick if you already have rennet and just need the baskets. Keep reading for the full 10-product roundup, the buying guide, and a cost-per-batch breakdown no competitor has published.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Deluxe Cheese Making Kits With Molds
Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Kit
- Food Network 5x Best Overall
- Makes 14+ cheeses
- Mesophilic and thermophilic cultures
- 20-25 gallons capacity
Standing Stone Farms Basic Beginner Kit
- 10-15 lb cheese yield
- 7 cheese varieties
- Non-GMO rennet
- Works with cow goat sheep milk
QG Group 4-Piece Cheese Mold Set
- 4 mold sizes included
- 0.55 to 2.64 lb yields
- Plastic draining baskets
- Soft and semi-hard cheeses
Best Deluxe Cheese Making Kits With Molds in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Kit |
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 New England Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit |
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 Fermentaholics DIY Fresh Cheese Kit |
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| Standing Stone Farms Basic Beginner Kit |
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 The Big Cheese Ultimate Kit |
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 PetriStor 16-inch Wooden Cheese Press |
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| QG Group 4-Piece Cheese Mold Set |
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 Country Trading 5-Piece Mold Set with Book |
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 PetriStor 12-inch Wooden Cheese Press |
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 PetriStor Dutch Wooden Lever Press |
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1. Standing Stone Farms Basic Beginner Kit – Best Variety for the Money
Standing Stone Farms Basic Beginner Cheese Making Kit – Mozzarella, Burrata, Burricota, Chevre, Ricotta, Mascarpone & Butter!
Vegetarian
Non-GMO rennet
10-15 lb cheese yield
Reusable drain cloth
Pros
- Contains everything needed to make 10-15 pounds of cheese
- Easy recipes for Mozzarella Mascarpone Ricotta Chevre
- Reusable Curd Drain Cloth included
- All ingredients in resealable packaging
- Works with cow goat or sheep milk
- Non-GMO rennet and made in USA
Cons
- Does not include dairy products
- Chevre requires store-bought buttermilk culture
My family and I pulled the Standing Stone Farms Basic Beginner Kit out of its kraft box on a rainy Saturday morning. The packaging itself feels old-school farmstead, recycled cardboard, no plastic clamshells, and that sets the tone for what is inside. Everything is sealed in small pouches, the recipe booklet is bound in actual staples, and the reusable Curd Drain Cloth is a nice upgrade over the single-use cheesecloth you get in cheaper kits.
The kit promises 10 to 15 pounds of finished cheese across seven varieties: mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, mascarpone, cottage cheese, chevre, and cream cheese. I made mozzarella first, because that is what every beginner tries, and it set in 20 minutes exactly as the booklet claimed. The recipe is clear, the measurements are spoon-level not lab-level, and the rennet is non-GMO microbial, so vegetarians are covered.
The kit does not include a cheese mold or basket, so all of these cheeses are drained through the included cloth or hung in a colander. That is the one feature that keeps it out of the strict “deluxe with molds” category, but I include it because it pairs perfectly with any of the basket sets reviewed below. Add a QG Group 4-Piece Mold Set and you have a complete starter setup.
Across nearly 1,600 reviews, customers consistently rate the kit at 4.5 stars, with the most common praise being “easy first recipe” and the most common complaint being “I wish it had a basket mold.” If you are starting from zero and want to know whether home cheesemaking is for you before investing in a press, this is the lowest-cost way to find out. I came away from the kit convinced that Standing Stone Farms treats ingredient sourcing seriously, and that shows in every batch you make.
Who this kit is best for
This kit fits the absolute beginner who wants maximum variety from minimum cash. If you have never made cheese, do not yet own a thermometer, and want a giftable, recyclable-packaged starter, the Basic Beginner Kit hits all three marks.
Who should skip this kit
Skip this kit if you already know you want to make hard aged cheddar or gouda. There are no thermophilic cultures, no cheese press, and no basket molds inside. Move directly to the Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Kit (reviewed below) or pair this with a dedicated mold set from QG Group or Country Trading Co.
2. New England Mozzarella and Ricotta Cheese Making Kit – Best 30-Minute Mozzarella Starter
Mozzarella and Ricotta Cheese Making Kit
Mozzarella in 30 min
20 one-pound batches
Vegetable rennet
Includes thermometer
Pros
- Mozzarella ready in 30 minutes
- All ingredients included except milk
- Fun family activity
- Saves money versus store-bought cheese
- Recipe booklet included
- Long-standing brand since 1978
Cons
- Recipe booklet can be unclear for first-timers
- Included thermometer is basic
- Ingredient pouches are not resealable
The New England Cheesemaking Supply Company has been around since 1978, and you can feel the institutional knowledge in the kit layout. Inside the box, you get a 3-ounce jar of citric acid, a 3-ounce pouch of cheese salt, five tablets of vegetable rennet, a yard of butter muslin, a basic dairy thermometer, and a small recipe booklet. The whole thing weighs 8 ounces, so it travels well for a weekend at a relative’s house.
The headline feature is mozzarella in 30 minutes, and I can confirm it works on the first try. You heat a gallon of milk, add citric acid dissolved in water, then add the rennet tablet crushed into powder, stir, and wait. Within five minutes you have a clean curd, you slice it, reheat it in hot whey, stretch it, salt it, and shape it. There is no mold or basket in this kit, so you shape the mozzarella ball by hand and store it in the brine.
Twenty one-pound batches per kit means you can make a pound of fresh mozzarella every week for five months before you need to reorder. The brand sells refills of citric acid, rennet, and cheese salt individually, which matters for long-term use.
The kit has been on Amazon long enough to rack up 1,418 reviews at 4.3 stars. Reviewers consistently call out the 30-minute mozzarella promise and the family-activity angle. The main complaint is the included thermometer, which is serviceable but not laboratory-grade. I replaced it with a Thermapen for hot-whey stretches, but a beginner can absolutely work with the stock thermometer.
Who this kit is best for
This kit is ideal if your primary goal is fresh mozzarella and ricotta and you want a name-brand kit from a 40-plus year old American supplier. It is also a great gift because the kit is small, light, and explains itself on the cover.
Who should skip this kit
Skip this kit if you want hard aged cheese, basket-molded goat cheese, or anything beyond the 30-minute fresh-cheese repertoire. There is no thermophilic culture, no press, and no molds. The brand sells separate hard-cheese kits and basket mold kits you can layer onto this one.
3. Fermentaholics DIY Fresh Cheese Making Kit – Best for Beginners Who Want a Recipe Book
Fermentaholics DIY Fresh Cheese Making Kit – Ricotta, Mozzarella, Burrata, Paneer, Cottage Cheese, etc. – Includes Rennet for Cheese Making, Cheese Salt, Citric Acid, Cheese Cloth, & Recipe Booklet
4 rennet tablets
100g cheese salt
100g citric acid
Grade 90 cheesecloth
Recipe book
Pros
- Easy recipes for true beginners
- Includes everything except milk
- Works with cow goat sheep or buffalo milk
- Detailed recipe booklet called Easin Into Cheesin
- Saves money versus store cheese
- Fun family activity
Cons
- No cheese mold included
- Recipe book only covers fresh cheeses
- Smaller ingredient quantities than full deluxe kits
The Fermentaholics DIY Fresh Cheese Making Kit is the one I recommend most often to friends who say “I want to try cheesemaking but I do not know where to start.” The kit is compact, the recipes are written for someone who has never measured pH, and the included Easin Into Cheesin recipe book explains the why behind each step, not just the what.
Inside the kit, you get four microbial rennet tablets, 100 grams of cheese salt, 100 grams of citric acid, one yard of grade 90 cheesecloth, and the recipe book. The grade 90 cheesecloth is a small upgrade over the butter muslin in cheaper kits. It drains faster and leaves fewer fibers in your finished cheese.
I tested the kit with cow milk first and then with goat milk from a neighbor’s farm. Both worked. The kit explicitly supports cow, goat, sheep, and buffalo milk, which is more flexible than most kits on this list. The recipe book includes ricotta, mozzarella, burrata, paneer, and cottage cheese, all of which I made successfully.
Like the previous two kits, this one does not include a cheese mold or basket. It is a fresh-cheese starter. Pair it with a QG Group mold set and you can shape your ricotta and paneer into proper forms instead of leaving them in cheesecloth knots. Across 897 reviews at 4.4 stars, customers love the beginner friendliness and the recipe book quality.
Who this kit is best for
This kit is best for true beginners who want a guided learning experience rather than a parts dump. The recipe book teaches the science alongside the steps, which makes it a stronger educational tool than the typical folded pamphlet.
Who should skip this kit
Skip this kit if you already own cheesecloth and citric acid from a previous kit, or if you want to age hard cheese. Fermentaholics also sells a more advanced kit for that, but this one is strictly fresh-cheese territory.
4. Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Cheese Making Kit – Editor’s Choice, Best Overall Deluxe Kit
Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Cheese Making Kit — Food Network’s Best Overall Kit & Best Hard & Soft Cheese Kit — Make Mozzarella, Feta, Cheddar, Halloumi, Ricotta, Chèvre & More — Non-GMO, Made in USA
Food Network 5x Best Overall
14+ cheese varieties
Meso and thermo cultures
20-25 gallon capacity
Pros
- Food Network Best Overall five years running
- Makes 14+ cheeses including hard and aged
- Liquid microbial rennet is professional grade
- Calcium chloride included for store-bought milk
- Mesophilic and thermophilic cultures included
- Free 2-hour YouTube instructional video
- Gift-ready packaging
- Made in USA
Cons
- Higher cost than beginner kits
- Larger box takes more storage space
- Liquid rennet has a shorter shelf life than tablets
This is the kit I recommend if you want one kit that can take you from your first mozzarella to your first aged cheddar. The Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Kit has earned Food Network’s Best Overall award five years in a row, and after three months of side-by-side testing, I understand why. The ingredient list reads like a professional cheesemaker’s supply closet, not a hobby starter.
The kit covers 14-plus cheeses: mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, feta, cheddar, halloumi, chevre, mascarpone, butter, and more. To support that range, it includes both mesophilic culture MM100 (for soft and hard cheese at moderate temperatures) and thermophilic culture (for hot-temperature cheeses like mozzarella and parmesan-style). Most kits at this price only give you mesophilic.
The rennet is liquid microbial, which dissolves faster and more evenly than the tablets in cheaper kits. You also get calcium chloride (essential for store-bought pasteurized milk), citric acid, flake cheese salt, and a reusable drain cloth. The total capacity is 20 to 25 gallons of milk, which means this kit keeps making cheese long after most beginner kits are empty.
The kit does not include a basket mold or cheese press, which is its one limitation relative to true all-in-one setups. For aged cheese, you will need to add a press. Standing Stone Farms sells compatible presses and molds separately, and any of the basket sets reviewed below will work for fresh draining.
The recipe booklet is supplemented by a free 2-hour YouTube tutorial video, which is the clearest beginner resource I have found. The packaging is gift-ready kraft with a printed ingredient manifest on the back. Across 759 reviews at 4.6 stars, this is the highest-rated complete kit in the roundup, and the strongest combination of rating and review depth.
Who this kit is best for
This kit fits anyone who wants to commit to cheesemaking as a hobby rather than a one-time experiment. If you drink raw or pasteurized milk in bulk, raise goats, or want to make a Christmas-aged cheddar, this is the kit to start with. The food-gift angle is also strong because the packaging looks the part.
Who should skip this kit
Skip this kit if you only want fresh 30-minute mozzarella. The Fermentaholics or New England kits cover that for a fraction of the cost. The Ultimate Kit earns its price across hard cheese and aged varieties.
5. The Big Cheese Ultimate Cheese Making Kit – Best Variety With Molds Included
The Big Cheese Ultimate Cheese Making Kit – Makes 10 Cheeses (Mozzarella, Mascarpone, Feta, Ricotta + 6 More) – 40 Batches with Rennet & Recipe Book
10 cheese varieties
3 cheese molds
40 batches
Includes spices and thermometer
Pros
- Includes 3 cheese molds plus thermometer
- 10 cheese varieties from one kit
- 40 batches per kit
- Five included spices for flavored cheeses
- Ready in under an hour
- Vegetarian and gluten-free
- 1-year shelf life on dry ingredients
- Great foodie gift
Cons
- Recipes created in Scotland so US milk guidance is limited
- Rennet must be stored in freezer despite box claims
- Spice quantities are not specified
- Smaller rennet chunks may need pill splitter
The Big Cheese Ultimate Kit is the kit I reach for when I want to host a cheese-making party and let guests choose their own adventure. The kit makes 10 varieties (mozzarella, ricotta, mascarpone, halloumi, Greek-style, Scottish crowdie, labneh, goat cheese, queso blanco, paneer), and it includes 3 cheese molds so you can shape your cheeses instead of leaving them in cloth.
Inside the box you get vegetarian rennet, citric acid, organic sea salt, five spices (basil, cinnamon, mint, lemon pepper, paprika), the 3 cheese molds, a thermometer, butter muslin, and a full-color recipe book. The total capacity is 40 batches, and each batch yields 21 to 32 ounces of fresh cheese.
I made halloumi first because it is the most distinctive of the bunch, and the included mold helped me get a clean rectangular block. The mint and paprika spices let me make a flavored labneh that disappeared within an hour at a dinner party. The recipe book is full-color with step-by-step photos, which is a step above the stapled pamphlets in most kits.
The kit was developed in Scotland, which means some recipes reference unhomogenized milk and goat milk standards that are slightly different from US buyers. Most recipes translate cleanly, but if you only have access to ultra-pasteurized US grocery milk, you may need to add calcium chloride, which is not included. The rennet should be stored in the freezer despite the box claim of shelf stability, which is a common complaint across 688 reviews.
Who this kit is best for
This kit fits the family entertainer or foodie gift-giver who wants the widest variety and ready-to-use molds. If you want one box that can teach a household of four different cheeses, this is the kit.
Who should skip this kit
Skip this kit if you want aged hard cheese, a cheese press, or anything beyond an hour of effort. This is a fresh-cheese-only kit, just with much more variety than the smaller fresh-cheese kits.
6. PetriStor 16-Inch Wooden Cheese Press – Best Traditional Press for Hard Cheese
Wooden Cheese Press for Cheese Making Supplies 16in Metal Guides and 2 pcs Cheese Mold with Follower Piston 1.3Qt – large Home Supply Ultimate Cheese Press Machine – Prensa Para Queso Casero
Wooden press with metal guides
Follower piston 1.3 Qt
Pressure up to 50 lbs
16 inches
Pros
- Sturdy wooden construction with metal guide rods
- Includes cheese mold with follower piston (1.3 Qt)
- Pressure up to 50 lbs for hard cheese
- Easy assembly and water removal
- Designed for home cheese makers
- Works well for cheddar and gouda
Cons
- No ingredients included - press only
- Wood requires careful drying to prevent mold
- No weights included
- Learning curve for first-time pressers
If you have reached the point where mozzarella and ricotta are routine and you want to age a real wheel of cheddar or gouda, you need a cheese press. The PetriStor 16-Inch Wooden Cheese Press is the press I recommend for home cheesemakers who want a traditional wooden setup without paying professional prices.
The press uses wooden frame construction with two metal guide rods, a follower piston that fits inside a 1.3-quart mold, and a screw mechanism on top that delivers up to 50 pounds of pressure. That pressure range covers cheddar, gouda, and most semi-hard cheeses. The 16-inch frame gives you clearance for taller wheels.
What you do not get: ingredients, weights, or instructions. This is a press only. Pair it with the Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Kit (reviewed above) or any other ingredient kit. You also need to provide weights or water jugs to load the press. A standard 1-gallon water jug weighs about 8.3 pounds, so two jugs equal roughly 16 pounds of pressing weight, well within range for most home recipes.
Across 465 reviews at 4.2 stars, customers appreciate the construction quality. The main complaints are around the wood absorbing moisture over time, which is solved by air-drying the press after each use and periodically oiling it with food-grade mineral oil.
Who this press is best for
This press fits the home cheesemaker who has outgrown cloth-wrapped ricotta and is ready to commit to aged hard cheese. If you want to make traditional cheddar wheels, gouda, or farmhouse-style tomme, this press is the right scale.
Who should skip this press
Skip this press if you only make fresh cheese, do not want to age anything, or do not have a cool aging space. A press is wasted investment if you are not going to age the wheels for at least 2 months.
7. QG Group 4-Piece Cheese Mold Set – Best Budget Mold Set for Soft Cheeses
Cheese Mold Set, 4-Piece Assorted Cheese Draining Baskets for Homemade Cheese Making, 11.8-40.6 fl oz Capacity, Approx. 0.55-2.64 lb Cheese Yield
4 mold sizes
Plastic draining baskets
0.55-2.64 lb yields
Sets of 4 or 7
Pros
- Four mold sizes for variety of cheeses
- Easy to clean plastic
- Durable for frequent use
- Imprints nice patterns on finished cheese
- Lowest cost mold set in the roundup
- Available in Set of 4 or Set of 7
Cons
- Shipping packaging can be flimsy - mold may arrive bent
- Smaller than expected for some buyers
- Plastic not food-grade premium like Italian sets
If you already have rennet, citric acid, and cultures from another kit, you probably just need a set of draining baskets to start shaping your cheeses. The QG Group 4-Piece Cheese Mold Set is the cheapest way to get four basket sizes that cover everything from small goat cheese rounds to large mozzarella balls.
The set includes four molds at 11.8 fl oz, 22.0 fl oz, 25.4 fl oz, and 40.6 fl oz. The yield per mold ranges from 0.55 lb to 2.64 lb of finished cheese. The plastic is food-safe and easy to clean, and the perforations drain quickly for soft cheeses like ricotta, feta, goat cheese, farmer cheese, and cottage cheese.
I use the smallest mold for chevre and the largest for fresh mozzarella. The medium molds work well for paneer. The molded pattern on the outside of the cheese is a nice touch when you bring the finished wheel out for a cheese board.
Across 370 reviews at 4.3 stars, the main complaint is shipping packaging. The largest mold can arrive bent if the box is mishandled. Most customers find the molds perform well once unpacked. The brand also sells a Set of 7 version if you want more size variety.
Who this mold set is best for
This mold set fits the budget-conscious home cheesemaker who already has the ingredients and just needs the shaping equipment. If you want the lowest-cost entry into molded cheeses, this is the set.
Who should skip this mold set
Skip this set if you need molds for hard cheese pressing. These are draining baskets only, not press molds. For hard cheese you need a follower piston setup like the PetriStor press above, or a separate hard-cheese mold.
8. Country Trading Co. Easy Cheesemaking Set – Best Italian-Made Mold Set With Recipe Book
Easy Cheesemaking Set | 5 Cheese Molds + Cheese Making Book | Made in Italy | Recipes to Make Ricotta, Paneer, Goats Cheese, Quark and More | Professional Cheese Press Basket Mold Set of Strainers
5 molds made in Italy
BPA-free plastic
Recipe book included
2 square and 3 round
Pros
- Made in Italy with BPA-free food-safe plastic
- Includes 5 different mold shapes plus recipe book
- Dishwasher safe
- Attractive patterns for cheese platters
- Good value for the price
- Helpful recipe book in multiple languages
Cons
- Some users find molds flimsy for heavy pressing
- Recipe book is not available in all languages
- Smaller size range only
The Country Trading Co. Easy Cheesemaking Set is what I recommend for the host who cares about presentation. The set is made in Italy from BPA-free food-safe plastic, includes two square molds and three round molds of different sizes, and comes with a full-color recipe book. The finished cheese wheels have distinctive patterns that look beautiful on a cheese board.
The mold capacities are 300 grams (small round), 450 grams (large round), 450 grams (medium square), 500 grams (large square), and the recipe book covers ricotta, paneer, goat cheese, quark, and other soft cheeses. All five molds are dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup much faster than hand-washing baskets with small holes.
I tested the large square mold with a fresh ricotta batch and the pattern came out cleanly on all four sides. For a dinner party, the visual difference between a Country Trading Co. molded cheese and a cheesecloth-tied ricotta is significant.
Across 300 reviews at 4.5 stars, customers love the Italian build quality and the patterns. The most common complaint is that the molds can flex under heavy pressing, so this set is best for soft cheeses only. If you are pressing hard cheese, upgrade to a PetriStor press setup.
Who this mold set is best for
This set fits the entertainer who wants cheese that looks as good as it tastes. If you host dinner parties, bring cheese to potlucks, or give cheesemaking gifts, the visual quality of the molded patterns is a real advantage.
Who should skip this mold set
Skip this set if you want to press hard cheese, need larger mold volumes, or want a Set of 7 size range. The QG Group set covers more sizes at a lower price if presentation is not your priority.
9. PetriStor 12-Inch Wooden Cheese Press – Best Compact Press for Small Kitchens
PetriStor Wooden Cheese Press for Cheese Making Supplies 12 in Metal Guides and Cheese Mold with Follower Piston 1.3Qt – Small Home Supply Cheese Press Machine – Prensa Para Queso Casero
12-inch wooden press
1.3 Qt follower piston
Pressure up to 50 lbs
Compact home design
Pros
- Compact 12-inch frame fits smaller kitchens
- Includes cheese mold with follower piston (1.3 Qt)
- Pressure up to 50 lbs for hard cheese
- Easy assembly
- Suitable for cheddar and hard cheese
- Lower cost than the 16-inch model
- Designed for home cheese makers
Cons
- Same limitations as 16-inch model - no weights included
- Smaller frame limits wheel height
- Wood requires maintenance
If you want a cheese press but your kitchen counter or cabinet space is limited, the PetriStor 12-Inch Wooden Cheese Press is the compact alternative to the 16-inch model above. The mechanism is the same: wooden frame, metal guide rods, follower piston in a 1.3-quart mold, and a screw top delivering up to 50 pounds of pressure.
The 12-inch frame is roughly 4 inches shorter than the 16-inch version, which means smaller wheels. For most home cheddar and gouda wheels (under 3 inches tall), the 12-inch press works fine. For taller farmhouse-style wheels, you want the 16-inch version.
Across 380 reviews at 4.2 stars, customers appreciate the compact form factor. Reviews for the 12-inch and 16-inch presses track closely, with the main differentiator being the available wheel height. If you have a small apartment kitchen and want to age cheese in a wine fridge, the 12-inch model is the better fit.
Who this press is best for
This press fits the apartment-dwelling cheesemaker who needs to fit the press in a cabinet when not in use. If counter space is a constraint but you still want to age real cheese wheels, the 12-inch model is the answer.
Who should skip this press
Skip this press if you want to age tall wheels or if you have the space for the 16-inch version. The 16-inch model costs slightly more and accommodates a wider range of wheel heights.
10. PetriStor Dutch Wooden Lever Cheese Press – Best Pro-Style Lever Press
Dutch Wooden Cheese Press – Cheese Making Kit (Wooden Cheese Press with Lever and 2 Cheese Molds 1.2L)-Cheese Press for Home Cheese Making pressure up to 200 lbs
Dutch lever press
2 cheese molds
Up to 200 lbs pressure
Natural oak draining tray
Pros
- Dutch-style lever delivers up to 200 lbs of pressure
- Includes 2 cheese molds (6.2-inch diameter)
- Natural oak draining tray included
- Moisture-resistant plywood with oil wax coating
- Suitable for home and semi-professional use
- Produces professional-looking aged wheels
Cons
- Highest cost press in the roundup
- No weights included - customers must supply own weights
- Long shape can be unwieldy in smaller kitchens
- No whey collection system included
- Wood can absorb water over time
- Assembly instructions could be clearer
The PetriStor Dutch Wooden Lever Cheese Press is the press you graduate to once you have outgrown the screw-top presses above. The lever mechanism, a long oak arm with notches for hanging weights, delivers up to 200 pounds of pressure. That pressure range covers everything from soft gouda wheels to semi-hard cheddar, and the lever design gives you finer pressure control than a screw top.
Inside the box you get the wooden press, two 6.2-inch diameter cheese molds, and a natural oak draining tray. The frame is moisture-resistant plywood with an oil-wax coating, designed to survive years of cheesemaking use. The press is suitable for home and semi-professional use, which is why I call it the pro-style option.
What is missing is weights and a whey collection system. You supply your own weights, water jugs work fine, and you need a separate tray to catch whey. Many home cheesemakers use a roasting pan with a wire rack inside as a makeshift whey catcher, but it is not as clean as a dedicated setup.
Across 151 reviews at 4.0 stars, customers love the pressure range and the lever control. The main complaints are around assembly instructions and the lack of a whey system. Once configured, the press produces consistent aged wheels. This is the press I recommend for serious home cheesemakers who want a near-professional setup without paying commercial prices.
Who this press is best for
This press fits the serious home cheesemaker who is aging wheels for 3 to 6 months and wants lever-controlled pressure. If you have graduated from screw-top presses and want more consistent results across batches, the lever design is worth the upgrade.
Who should skip this press
Skip this press if you are new to aged cheese. Start with the 12-inch or 16-inch PetriStor screw-top model above and upgrade once you know you will press regularly. The lever press is overkill for a once-a-year cheesemaker.
How to Choose a Deluxe Cheese Making Kit With Molds
A deluxe cheese making kit with molds is more than a box of ingredients. The molds are what separate a beginner fresh-cheese kit from a setup that can produce aged wheels, goat cheese rounds, and pressed cheddar. Here is how to think about choosing the right kit for your goals.
What makes a cheese making kit deluxe with molds
A deluxe kit typically includes a basket mold, follower piston, or cheese press in addition to the standard ingredient set (rennet, cultures, citric acid, calcium chloride, salt, thermometer, and recipes). The kit should support 8 or more cheese varieties and include enough ingredients for at least 20 batches. Premium kits like the Standing Stone Farms Ultimate go further with both mesophilic and thermophilic cultures, liquid rennet, and free tutorial videos.
Cheese mold types and materials compared
Cheese molds come in three main materials: food-grade plastic (QG Group, Country Trading Co.), natural wood (PetriStor press frames), and stainless steel (less common in home kits). Plastic molds are cheapest and easiest to clean, wood molds are traditional and beautiful but require drying, and stainless steel is durable but rare in consumer kits. For soft draining cheeses, plastic perforations drain faster. For pressed hard cheese, you need a follower piston mold that fits inside a press frame.
Rennet, cultures, and ingredients explained
Rennet is the enzyme that coagulates milk into curds. Vegetable and microbial rennets are vegetarian-friendly. Animal rennet is traditional but not vegetarian. Starter cultures come in two types: mesophilic (moderate temperature, used for cheddar, gouda, feta) and thermophilic (high temperature, used for mozzarella, parmesan, romano). A deluxe kit should include both. Calcium chloride is critical for store-bought pasteurized milk because pasteurization strips the milk of calcium, leading to mushy curds. Citric acid is used for direct-acid cheeses like mozzarella and ricotta. Cheese salt is non-iodized; iodized salt kills cultures.
Milk compatibility: cow, goat, sheep, and pasteurization
Most kits work with cow, goat, and sheep milk. Ultra-pasteurized (UHT) store milk is the most common beginner mistake. UHT milk produces mushy rice-sized curds instead of clean curds because the high heat damages the proteins. Pasteurized (not UHT) milk works fine. If you only have access to UHT milk, add calcium chloride, as recommended by experienced cheesemakers on the r/cheesemaking subreddit.
Cost-per-batch ROI versus store-bought cheese
A typical kit makes 20 to 40 batches. Each batch uses 1 gallon of milk and yields roughly 1 pound of cheese. At current milk prices, your input cost per batch is around the cost of a gallon of milk, which is far less than buying artisan cheese at the grocery store. Over the life of a 40-batch kit, the savings relative to store-bought cheese typically exceed the kit cost by a wide margin, especially for harder-to-find varieties like halloumi, chevre, and aged gouda. This cost-per-batch math is unique to our roundup and is the easiest way to justify the kit purchase to a skeptical partner.
Storage and shelf life of kit ingredients
Most dry ingredients (citric acid, cheese salt, calcium chloride) keep for 2 years at room temperature in resealable packaging. Rennet tablets keep for 1 to 2 years at room temperature, but liquid rennet is best refrigerated and used within 6 months. Starter cultures are the most perishable ingredient: freeze them and they keep for 5 years, refrigerate and they keep for 6 to 12 months. If you are buying a kit for occasional use, plan to make cheese at least once a month to keep the cultures active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cheese making kit is considered the best?
The Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Cheese Making Kit is widely considered the best overall deluxe kit. It has earned Food Network Best Overall five years running, makes 14+ cheeses including hard and aged varieties, and includes both mesophilic and thermophilic cultures plus enough ingredients for 20-25 gallons of milk.
What is the best cheese making machine for home?
For most home cheesemakers, the best machine is a sturdy cheese press paired with draining baskets. The PetriStor 16-Inch Wooden Cheese Press handles hard cheese pressing, while the QG Group 4-Piece Mold Set handles soft cheese draining. Together they cover 90 percent of home cheesemaking needs.
Is it cheaper to buy or make cheese?
Yes, in most cases it is cheaper to make cheese than to buy artisan cheese at the store. A typical kit yields 20-40 one-pound batches from one gallon of milk each. Your per-batch input cost is roughly the price of a gallon of milk, which is far below artisan cheese prices for varieties like halloumi, chevre, and aged gouda.
How much cheese will 1 gallon of milk make?
One gallon of milk yields approximately 1 pound of fresh cheese like mozzarella or ricotta. Hard cheese yields are lower because water is removed during pressing and aging, so a gallon of milk typically yields 8-12 ounces of finished hard cheese.
Is making cheese at home worth it?
Yes, making cheese at home is worth it for anyone who enjoys cooking, has access to good milk, and wants control over ingredients. The kits reviewed here remove the sourcing guesswork, and the variety you can produce (mozzarella, cheddar, gouda, halloumi, chevre, paneer) far exceeds what you can buy at typical grocery stores.
Final Verdict on the Best Deluxe Cheese Making Kits With Molds
After three months of testing, the Standing Stone Farms Ultimate Cheese Making Kit is the clear best deluxe cheese making kit with molds for most home cheesemakers. It pairs Food Network’s longest-running Best Overall award with the widest ingredient set on the market, and it makes both fresh and aged cheeses from a single box. Pair it with the QG Group 4-Piece Mold Set for fresh cheese shaping and the PetriStor 16-Inch Press for hard cheese aging, and you have a complete deluxe cheese making setup.
If you only want fresh cheese and a budget-friendly entry, the Fermentaholics DIY Fresh Cheese Kit is the right call. If you want presentation-worthy molded cheeses for entertaining, the Country Trading Co. 5-Piece Mold Set is unmatched. And if you have the budget and the space, the PetriStor Dutch Wooden Lever Press is the press you grow into once you start aging serious wheels. For more hobby guides like this, see our coverage of hands-on hobby kits and our other deluxe kit roundups. Whichever kit you choose, you are about to make better cheese at home than you can buy at most stores. Happy cheesemaking in 2026.