Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser

[Coffeewinecake]

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

You can tip the velvetiser chocolate into a pan of warm milk and stir it and it comes out the same. Just takes about two minutes longer. Don’t waste your money / cupboard space, imo!

Seriously, when you’ve been stood there for 7 mins furiously wanking off a pan of milk with a frother, you’ll wish you’d bought the velvetiser 🤣

(if they use this in advertising, remember you heard it from me)

But then you have to wash up a pan

😂

I always thought it was a bit of a gimmick until DH got me one for christmas. I love it, I use it every day. You aren't limited to flaked chocolate, it works just as well with powedered hot chocolate, and even instant.

Lovely smooth frothy hot chocolate at perfect drinking temperature 🥰

I've got a milk frother that has a different widget for hot chocolate that I use a lot, I use any brand of poshish hot chocolate: whittards or packet of the pellety ones, or broken up dark chocolate. It makes one mug at a time, doesn't spill and is easy to clean. So I like the look of the velvetiser but it wouldn't be any better.

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.

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.

I love mine. Though I get my chocolate flakes from here:

https://pendragondrinks.co.uk/

Just as nice and much more economical. Works perfectly in the Velvetiser.

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.

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.

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

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.

Pretty much isn't the same thougb

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.

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

Don't be jelly

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.

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

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!

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

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"

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

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.

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