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

@Differentstarts please send a screenshot.

Here's mine.

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.

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

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

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 🍫

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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

woke up at 4am and HAD to make hot chocolate after posting here earlier

It's lovely, but definitely a luxury kitchen appliance. You can definitely live without one, unless you're mad about hot chocolate. Also, the hot chocolate is never hot enough, I often blast it in the microwave for 30 seconds after. I also use whatever hot chocolate I have to hand and I've never had any issues. The HC hot chocolate is superior, but quite expensive so I usually only buy a couple of bags once a year or so.

I go through phases where I will use it every day for weeks and then it could sit there for months along with the sachets. I get sick of the flavours 😅 the only one I keep coming back to is Hazelnut praline. Overall though it has been a fantastic purchase for me, I used it every day for over a year. There's a velvetiser enthusiasts group on FB which is good for tips and also a swap/sell group which is handy. Amazon sell certain flavours too.

Definitely not the same, sorry.

DH bought my one with the free cup as a Christmas surprise because I enjoy hot chocolate. Initially I wasn't thrilled because I was sure it was a gimmick and would take up counter space. It gets loads of use and we both love it! If it broke I would replace it. We use the cups with it all the time, too. The only reason it doesn't get even more use is calories. It has more than earned that spot on the kitchen counter.

DH bought me sachets as part of the present but as they're ££, I googled around and found an mn thread (thanks vipers) saying it's fine to use powders / non HC stuff so we do that now for "regular" use. Lidl do some really nice hot chocolate powders, they're my pick when I can get them. I still use the sachets- people know I have a velvetiser so I often get boxes as presents. My favorites are the dark chocolate and the praline. Might experiment more with grating bars, choc drops and chips and stuff from whittard on pendragon after reading this though!

Most important for me is that the drinks come out instantly drinkable. I dislike very hot things- I always leave tea or soup (my mum apparently makes hers in a volcano) to cool so I think the temperature the velvetiser works at is perfect!

It's also so easy to use vs fussing with a pan and it's easy to clean. We put water & fairy in immediately after we've finished making hot chocolate and press the button for it to self clean. I do usually rinse and wipe a sponge round it afterwards, too- but no more or no less than I would for other washing up.

So yes, in short OP - buy the velvetiser!!!

After spending way too much time thinking about this, I bought the Smeg milk frother rather than the velvetiser. It has a larger capacity so you can do a bigger mug or two smaller cups together plus it has a cold setting for milk shakes. Also, it can be put in the dishwasher. I got it in red and it looks great in the counter top. It is used most days.

A cold version for milkshakes sounds excellent, I have to say. I also liked the sound of the one someone else described with the lift off, dishwashable top.

If your kids like hot chocolate a version is probably a good present but I wouldn't be sucked into the idea the velvetiser is the only option @Coffeewinecake

I have the velvetiser and some of the other brands described here sound just as good or better.

I have heard nothing but good things.

I love mine. It was a gift and not something I would have probably bought for myself though. I only really get it out in December when I treat us to a few of the hotel chocolat hot chocolate selection boxes. They’re pricey but so make really lovely hot chocolate - especially love the chilli one.

There's no such word.

Gullible, on the other hand...

I think this is what I wojld spend my money on. The cold option would be an excellent addition alongside the bigger capacity.

The Velvetiser used to advertise that it did cold drinks. The method was to make a hot one and cool it down!

You don't have to hand wash it. Yiu out water and fairy liquid in and it cleans itself.

I got one as a present. I use it occasionally because I'm a bit take it or leave it with hot chocolate. It does make a nice drink. Yes, the sachets are expensive but I only have them once in a while as a treat.

Very easy to use and clean. My only gripe is that if DH and I both fancy a hot chocolate together, the first cup is cold by the time the second one is finished. I'd agree with PPs that it could do with making the drink a bit hotter.

The frother I have is a pretty good alternative and with the removeable milk container and whisk it is so much easier , goes in the dishwasher .
I only hand wash my good knives , and any glasses that don;t fit in the DW though they find themselves used less .

When this one goes phhhhtt I cannot see myself buying a Velvetiser , though the texture it gives is meant to be something else , more like a mousse .
I don't have hot chocolate in a cafe as its usually too sweet .
DS doesn;t drink tea or coffee but he'll occasionally have a hot chocolate , but no cream or marshmallows or any of that malarjy

😂 😂 😂

Bought one of these a year or so ago and whilst it's super easy to use and you get wonderful quality hot chocolate, it only makes a reasonably small amount and it's never hot enough.

Yeah there is go check

Thanks everyone, glad I asked. Seems the overall consensus is that if you love hot chocolate then you will get your money’s worth from the Velvetiser. Appreciate also the tips re: chocolate from elsewhere, pre heating mugs, washing up and, importantly, the VIP me discount!

I don't need to.