Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser

[Gleps]

I recently got one of these as a gift for my birthday from DH. Very thoughtful and generous gift but it actually makes awful hot chocolate. Watery and lukewarm. It definitely doesn’t come out as thick and rich as it looks in the pictures (unless I’m doing something wrong).

So, would I be unreasonable to try and return it even though I’ve used it a handful of times?

Hi OP you need to put in 6 heaped teaspoons (as large as you can balance it on the spoon)! Put the milk in first and the choc on top, then press the button. Whilst it’s mixing warm whatever mug you use in the microwave for 1 min 30 sec the mug will be ready around the same time as the choc. That should give you a better outcome 🤞

I LOVE my velvetiser! But yes, wish it was hotter. I’ve used whole, semi, skimmed, almond, hazelnut and oat milks and loads of different varieties of hot chocolate and they’ve all been great! Whittard powders are lovely (and not quite as calorific as the hotel chocolat pouches!) but others have been great too!

I very nearly bought a Velvetiser but when I tried it at a store demo the chocolate was barely tepid. The sales assistant explained I’d have to warm the cup first. Sorry, no. I love a gadget and don’t mind if something is expensive but only if it performs its function perfectly. I make perfect hot chocolate (if I do say so myself) in an Italian milk frother.

OP, I think HC’s customer service is pretty good so it is worth calling or emailing them as your chocolate shouldn’t be watery. The temperature issue is just how it’s designed, I’m afraid.

I don't have a velvetiser but have used a Nespresso Aeroccino to make hot chocolate for years. It's the same on the heat front and doesn't get hot enough for my liking so I put in the microwave for 30 seconds after pouring in a mug.

FF milk definitely froths much better than SS but I prefer using SS and just accept it's not quite as frothy.

We’ve just got one of these. DH uses boiling water to pre heat the mugs. He likes the HC sachets that came with it but I’m not keen; they’re a bit rich for me. So he just froths the milk (semi skimmed) then mixes it with powdered chocolate in the mug for mine and puts the chocolate flakes in with the milk for his. It’s beautiful.

Ok damn now I want one of these.

Are they easy to keep clean?

Sing, I put water in with a drop of washing up liquid and turn it back on. Then it just needs a quick wipe round.

Thanks! That sounds like my soup maker which you basically run to clean.

Now to find a spare £100 😳

I think yours might be faulty.

We have both tubs and sachets and they come up thick and creamy and gorgeous. Also SS milk here.

Even with powders it makes them far nicer than using another method (though that pales in comparison to the delicious HC stuff).

I'd ask for a replacement

I love my velvetiser! Got it for Christmas. I really like using coconut milk.

I don't bother with the sachets. Just buy a bar of chocolate that you like and pop it into a food processor or just chop it with a knife.
Keep it in the freezer and just weigh out 40g when you want a hot choc

I bloody love mine, it’s amazing!!! It was a present for Christmas and in this shitty cold January / February, it’s been a godsend.

However I’ve now used up all my sachets and have a resealable bag on its way.

How many teaspoons do I need? Is defo 6??

For £100 I don’t expect to have to faff with boiling kettles and microwaves to get a drink that’s actually hot. My sister has one. It makes chocolate at a temperature I would serve to my six year old.

I got one for Christmas and its the best thing ever! Not quite as hot as I'd like, but going to try warming cups and see if that helps

You know you can just press the button again and it gets it much hotter 👍🏼

@snowstorm2012

You know you can just press the button again and it gets it much hotter 👍🏼

Really? Going to have to try that. Thanks.

Yes, that's what they recommended on QVC and it works 😃

It’s you! I weigh the tub chocolate out so it’s the same amount as sachets.

I fill the cups with boiling water to heat the mugs. I’m not able to double press the button as it needs rinsing to re set the thermometer

My first one was faulty and I had to send a video to prove it and get a replacement.

@GreySkyClouds do you know what they were looking for in your video?

@snowstorm2012

You know you can just press the button again and it gets it much hotter 👍🏼

As in press the start button twice at the beginning? I'll try that thanks! We've never had a problem with watery hot chocolate- we've always used semi skimmed milk and the sachets. I considered getting the pouches but I could see the DCs using way more than a sachet would contain (and make a mess!!), the sachets are more convenient there. Galaxy powder also works well in the velvetiser.

I put value dark chocolate, that most supermarkets sell for about 30 pence a bar, through the food processor to use for hot chocolate, with about half a teaspoon of sugar per mug. Something worth a try if you don't want to pay for individual sachets.

So last night I made another hot chocolate. I used 6 heaped spoonfuls and a little extra for luck, I put the cup in the microwave beforehand and it tasted a little better. Still didn’t feel thick and smooth.

This morning I was going to make another one and try the pushing the button twice tactic but I decided to use the mint options powder we had in the cupboard and omg I can confirm it was amazing!!! So thick and smooth and frothy.

I did run the velvetiser twice, although the second time only lasted a few seconds.

I don’t understand why I’m not getting this with the hotel chocolat flakes though?

Oh and for the person asking, I’m from the UK. I do like my hot chocolate thick but nothing different to what you get in any coffee shop.

I'm just wondering if it's more of a difference in what you are used to taste wise @Gleps. Options (and the like) is so far from being anything like real hot chocolate.

Is the chocolate melting properly or is there residue in the bottom? It should all be dissolved into the milk.

I also received one for Christmas and it’s used daily. HC 70% as a treat, Green &. Black hot chocolate for everyday, and just milk for frothy coffees. Always semi-skimmed milk, and pre warm the cups with boiling water.

@TheTeenageYears I’m inclined to agree with you. I wonder if I just don’t like the chocolate. It’s definitely not the same consistency though.

I've just tried pre-heating my mug.
The resultant hot chocolate (orange 65% this time) was too hot to drink but OK to sip.