I've had this for six months so time to review. I bought the machine while shielding & alone as a "cheer up" gift to myself. I thought perhaps the novelty might wear off but this amazing hot chocolate maker is still used daily and has become as essential as my coffee machine or kettle!
Firstly the price, some have commented that £100 is too much for a hot chocolate maker, however this is less than a quarter of the price I paid for my coffee maker. For the price you get an amazingly well engineered machine (as you'd expect from Dualit who make the machine for Hotel Chocolat), plus two designer chocolate cups.
Using the maker is really simple, add milk (incl almond or oat alternatives to dairy), add in a sachet of Hotel Chocolat (or required amount from their larger packs), then just press the button. In 2.5 mins the machine has heated the chocolate to the optimum temperature and whipped the chocolate into a unique light velvet texture.
Some have commented that the machine doesn't make scalding hot chocolate, however that is the point, scalding hot milk destroys much of the subtle flavours a quality hot chocolate should have. If you need to have the drink so hot then there's no point in buying anything other than bargain supermarket chocolate as you are destroying the flavour.
You can warm the cups (the instructions suggest this), although you can use hot water, I just put one empty cup in the microwave for 20 seconds while the Velvetiser is doing its magic.
Onto the cups, I have arthritis so expected not to use a cup with no handle. However these cups, designed around the shape of a cocoa bean, have ridges around which make holding the cups really easy. Also they look amazing, are just the right size, and add to the special experience you feel when using the Velvetiser.
After 2.5 mins the machine stops whirring and the light goes out and it's ready for pouring! I thought I'd miss that there's no beep to signal it being ready, that's about the only thing I'd want to add to the machine, but to be honest you are hovering by the machine waiting for your hot chocolat so it's not a problem. Pouring out is simple, the chunky handle and a small spout indentationon both sides mean is just as easy whether you are left or right handed.
Before I discuss taste, cleaning is easy, the stirrer is a patented magnetic device which clips in and out and easy to rinse. Although you can't immerse the machine in water, you just need to rinse out the inside with warm water, maybe a drop of washing up liquid, then wipe dry. The exterior (copper was my choice) just needs a wipe to look as good as new.
Now to tasting!!
If you've had a Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate before, you'll know what to expect, if not you are treating yourself to the best hot chocolate you can buy There are many flavours and versions, standard hot chocolate comes in 50% (milky), 72%, 85% or 100% (really extreme chocolate taste!)
Also a mint Chocolate, Chilli (surprisingly good even for me who doesn't like heat/spice), White chocolate with vanilla, Hazelnut, Salted Caramel. New this year are coffee lattes, plus Hotel Chocolat have seasonal specials, such as the amazing Clementine & Salted Caramel (which needs to be permanent!) You no longer get a pack of hot chocolate sachets with the machine. I recommend with the you buy a box of their assorted flavours (10 sachets in a box), as some flavours that you might not expect to like become your favourite!
Being Hotel Chocolat, all of their products do not contain artificial flavour or colours, and they are a true ethical company. Some are Vegan as well as vegetarian (but like their Vegan Friendly chocolates you'd never know, which is the biggest complement you can pay!)
Phew sorry it took a long review, but this machine, after six months, is still used daily and I absolutely love it. The Velvetiser is a premium product but well worth its price, looking as good as new despite repeated use.
Likee the chocolate sachets & tubs, it is worth paying a little extra for the very best hot chocolate experience. (And farmers are paid a decent price) The number of five star reviews confirm this.
If you love Hot Chocolate, definitely treat yourself to the very best, you deserve it!!
| Product Dimensions | 21.8 x 11.9 x 20.2 cm; 2.72 kg |
|---|---|
| Care instructions | No |
| Number of pieces | 1 |
| Batteries required | No |
