I started making my paneer 14 years ago. The only cheese making gear I had was cheesecloth. I pressed it between two plates. It was misshapen, uneven, and crumbly. But it tasted great, and it made great Indian food.

As time went on I got better at making the paneer, and picked up a cheese mold. Then I built a cheese press, then built a different version of the cheese press, then bought one, and a different one. Now it is dumbbells on top of my mold.

Depending on what cheese you are making you will need different tools. Some cheese are stupid easy (paneer is one that has never failed) others are quite complex.

I use this cheese supply shop for most of my supplies these days. They have recipes as well.

This is the mold I use for my paneer.

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I thought about going with the 4lb version, but I think that is over kill.