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Original poster

Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser

181 replies

Coffeewinecake · 20/09/2024 12:59

Are they worth it?
It’s coming to that time of year (although it’s hot and sunny at the moment!) and was thinking of getting as a joint Xmas gift for DCs.
I spoke to someone at Hotel Chocolat but I still don’t really understand what they do (the velvetiser, not the shop assistant). Are they just a glorified milk frother that take up extra space and cost a lot more?
TIA

OP posts:
Getofftheloosam · 20/09/2024 23:55

.
I got one earlier this summer, my kids use it a lot but I just buy the tins of galaxy hot chocolate and cadburys hot chocolate from Costco, not much difference in taste for a fraction of the price.
I like cadburys chocolate with a slug of baileys.
I heat the mug with hot tap water before putting the drink in

Keni34 · 20/09/2024 23:55

Hey there!! I used to work in Hotel Chocolat a few years ago and, although I always thought it was pricey, I truly appreciate the quality of the machine. Really thought the chocolate had always the perfect temperature, texture and flavour when I was made with the velvetiser. TREAT YOURSELF 🍫

Differentstarts · 20/09/2024 23:52

AnOldCynic · 20/09/2024 23:39

@Differentstarts please send a screenshot.

Here's mine.

I can't believe you actually checked next look up guilable 🤣🤣

Pleiades2020 · 20/09/2024 23:49

To add, wait until they have deals on e.g. Black Friday. They are often reduced.

Pleiades2020 · 20/09/2024 23:47

They are very good yes. Makes a smooth hot chocolate.

Some tips. Fill the cup with boiling water to heat it up as the hot chocolate loses heat quickly otherwise.

I use M&S dark chocolate flakes and add a tiny amount of cocoa powder to darken it even more.

The hotel.chocolate flavours can be a bit variable but the classic is OK. M&S cheaper though.

AnOldCynic · 20/09/2024 23:39

@Differentstarts please send a screenshot.

Here's mine.

Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser
Differentstarts · 20/09/2024 23:28

SoupDragon · 20/09/2024 23:06

This leaves smears where the whisk goes on mine. I have to actually wash it under the tap with a sponge. 🤷🏻‍♀️

in fact, even the write up on the website says "Just pop out the whisk and rinse the non-stick coating with water"

Edited
Show quote history

I find it's fine if I do it straight after but have to wash if iv left it. It might also make a difference what your actually putting in it. But overall very easy to clean

fao · 20/09/2024 23:19

Don't see what the fuss is about at all. I think they're a real waste of money. I think melting chocolate in a pan with milk achieves a much better result.

Apolloneuro · 20/09/2024 23:17

I’ve got one and I like it. Don’t use it every day, so do use the hotel chocolat sachets.

SoupDragon · 20/09/2024 23:06

Differentstarts · 20/09/2024 22:36

It's self cleaning you put water and fairy in and turn it on

Show quote history

This leaves smears where the whisk goes on mine. I have to actually wash it under the tap with a sponge. 🤷🏻‍♀️

in fact, even the write up on the website says "Just pop out the whisk and rinse the non-stick coating with water"

thunderbanana · 20/09/2024 23:00

Yes
we use daily for hot chocolates and lattes
dont use the hot chocolate stuff tho as it’s pricey
just bog standard supermarket own brand

BibbityBobbityToo · 20/09/2024 22:56

I got one for Xmas last year, used it a few times out of obligation more than anything. Don't see what all the fuss is about as the branded drink pouches seemed really gritty to me. It was relegated from counter to cupboard with ice cream maker and other junk by April!

merryandbrightdelight · 20/09/2024 22:44

I bought DH one last year and he loved it! Agree with others that the sachets can be quite pricy though.

We've used Ringtons sachets in ours too, and it's also great for making a really frothy coffee in! Ours gets the most use in the winter months

Tulipvase · 20/09/2024 22:40

We bought my son one 2.5 years ago and it’s been used almost daily. We often just use Cadburys hot choc powder, it’s fine. They even replaced the lid for free when the idiot dog ate the first one. Great customer service.

Differentstarts · 20/09/2024 22:40

Bjorkdidit · 20/09/2024 22:39

Well if you're happy to pay stupid money for the branded version then that's up to you @Differentstarts

Edited

Don't be jelly

Bjorkdidit · 20/09/2024 22:39

Well if you're happy to pay stupid money for the branded version then that's up to you @Differentstarts

DowntonCrabby · 20/09/2024 22:39

We bought the DC one a few years ago. They use it maybe a few times a month in the autumn/winter months for hot chocolate but I use it most days to froth milk.

Differentstarts · 20/09/2024 22:37

Bjorkdidit · 20/09/2024 22:37

But the Aldi or Lidl version at about a fifth of the price does pretty much the same thing, hence the HC version is overpriced

M&S also sell grated chocolate for hot chocolate and its often reduced. Eg if they do a 'Christmas' one, in January it will be 75% off.

Show quote history

Pretty much isn't the same thougb

Bjorkdidit · 20/09/2024 22:37

Differentstarts · 20/09/2024 22:20

But it really is

Show quote history

But the Aldi or Lidl version at about a fifth of the price does pretty much the same thing, hence the HC version is overpriced

M&S also sell grated chocolate for hot chocolate and its often reduced. Eg if they do a 'Christmas' one, in January it will be 75% off.

Differentstarts · 20/09/2024 22:36

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/09/2024 22:35

I wouldn't want one because it cannot go in the dishwasher and I am far too lazy to handwash it .

I did buy a frother/milk heater (Amazon bargain) with a lift off milk container which goes in the DW .
DD and I use soya milk which is sweeter anyway so use good quality dark chocolate grated (which is what the Hotel Chocolat sachets are )
DS likes Cadbury Chocolate powder and standard milk.
Two cycles is enough to heat it and froth.

It's self cleaning you put water and fairy in and turn it on

Nelliemellie · 20/09/2024 22:36

We have one and used it often, but when I spotted a Bodum hot chocolate maker in the lidl a few weeks ago for only a fiver. You have to heat up the milk in the microwave and then pour it in the jug then add powder and just mix manually with the same result as the velvetiser. Bodum one is easy to clean as well. Velvetiser is a lot of money for something to heat milk up and mix.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/09/2024 22:35

I wouldn't want one because it cannot go in the dishwasher and I am far too lazy to handwash it .

I did buy a frother/milk heater (Amazon bargain) with a lift off milk container which goes in the DW .
DD and I use soya milk which is sweeter anyway so use good quality dark chocolate grated (which is what the Hotel Chocolat sachets are )
DS likes Cadbury Chocolate powder and standard milk.
Two cycles is enough to heat it and froth.

Delphiniumandlupins · 20/09/2024 22:33

Sign up for a Hotel Chocolat VIP card before you buy your Velvetiser and you'll save a third off the price. I use the bags rather than the pouches, where possible, and use a bit less than the recommended amount. Still plenty of flavour. I've also used other kinds of chocolate in mine, and they've melted fine.

Shallana · 20/09/2024 22:29

Coffeewinecake · 20/09/2024 22:21

Oh now I have swung back the other way 🤦‍♀️

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If you're buying it as a gift you may as well go for the proper thing!!

As a convert, I say it's 100% worth the money and a lovely gift.

Also, so easy to clean, you just fill with cold water, squirt in some fairy liquid and switch it back on.