To ask you all if there is a cheap but good alternative to a Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser?

[MrsBennetsPoorNerves]

I really want to get a velvetiser for someone and I know that they will love it. I would happily fork out for the real thing but I don't want to embarrass them by spending too much, and I also don't want to buy something which will end up with them having to buy expensive Hotel Chocolat refills.

Is there a cheap but good alternative, please?

Anyone? Or does such a thing not exist?

I'm not sure but I think people recommended the Asda version last year.

Ooh, OK, thank you... am driving past an Asda later so might try there!

Swear i saw one in tesco reduced with club card.

this chocolatier by Salters

I have it and it does make nice chocolate. I use the Hotel Chocolate sachets in it.

its no secret Dualit make the original for Hotel Chocolat, so many have speculated this is an equivalent. No personal experience though

a saucepan and a whisk!

Salter 🤩

It may not be the sort of thing you’re looking for, but just throwing it out there: a hot chocolate shaker. I have one and it’s really good.

You can get the velvetiser at a good price e g. Outlet centres. You can make any hot chocolate in it so aren't restricted to only their brand. Velvetisers are fab!

Hotel chocolate do reconditioned ones for about £40 at their outlets.

It's £69.95 if you sign up to a Hotel Chocolat account, rather than £99.95, if that makes a difference.

I have resisted one for years as I have a milk frother on my coffee machine which does nice frothy hot chocolate, but DD2 and DM in particular really wanted one, so I have bought it for "the house" to open on Christmas Eve. DD1 & DD2 don't know.

Hope it's good. Am having brandy in mine.

It works just as well with powdered chocolates

We have a velvetiser ( gifted it ) but we don’t use the Hotel Chocolat sachets as we don’t like many of them

Thank you, some good suggestions here!

The Dualit milk frother is basically the same thing.

I think what goes in it has more bearing on the result than the actual machine. Annoyingly I've tried a few different make and it's the Hotel Chocolat ones which I prefer. That's where I'd spend the money.

Hotel Chocolat outlet stores are selling refurbished velvetisers at the moment for £55. I have one and only used the Hotel Chocolat sachets when I bought it. You can use chocolate powder/flakes from any brand. Some people even grate their favourite chocolate and put it in there.

I have a random Amazon milk frother. It was under £30. Heats the milk, and works with Hotel Chocolat flakes as well as powders. Can also froth the milk for coffees (hot or cold).
Agree with PP, it's what you put in it rather than the machine itself.