Find out what Mumsnet testers thought of the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser

[JustineBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnet users who have been testing the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser with their families.

Testers, please share your feedback by answering the following questions and completing the short survey we've emailed you:

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?
2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?
3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.
4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?
5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

Finally, if you have any pictures you’re happy to share - of using the Velvetiser or of the drinks you created - we’d love to see them on the thread below alongside your feedback.

If you didn’t take part in the product test but own a Velvetiser, please feel free to share your feedback by answering the above questions - you’ll be entered into a £100 voucher prize draw, and the first 15 non-testers to share their feedback will receive their choice of Hotel Chocolat’s new Black Forest Gateau or Salted Caramel & Clementine flavour sachets (subject to providing delivery details).

Here’s what Hotel Chocolat has to say: “The Velvetiser is the ultimate go-to machine for creating barista-grade velvety chocolate drinks. From indulgent hot chocolates, delectable milkshakes to boozy cocktails – create your favourites in just 2.5 minutes. Whatever your lifestyle, the Velvetiser delivers.”

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Disclaimer: not a tester - have had my velvetiser for about 5 months.

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I really like the style, I like the knurled handle. I think I would offer a stainless steel option as well as the copper etc. I went for charcoal.

2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

It was very easy to use - I find it easy to see the max bar but that's because my kitchen has angled spotlighting.

It's easy to clean - as long as you remember to doit straight away. I had one incident where I forgot about it for a week and it was all very mouldy. If you let the chocolate dry on it's more of a pain. My preference is to preheat the cup with hot water, then the water is hot ready to rinse the whisk and wipe out the jug. The only shame is that you can't somehow remove the jug part from the electric parts for giving it a really good wash. I don't always find water + washing up liquid gets it totally clean, hence using the method above.

3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I've made all the types of hot chocolate in the "everything" pack. I don't drink coffee so I haven't tried those. I made one as a cold one using the method given but I don't think I left everything to rechill for long enough. I probably would do it again in the summer though.

Hot drinks are super easy and excellent. Cold drinks are a faff frankly.

4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

I really liked the hazelnut praline, the milky 50% and the dark, I think it was 85%. I liked the chocolate orange one more than I expected to - I would make that again.

I'd like it to be clearer if the hazelnut hot chocolate in the big pouch is the same as the ones in the sachets called hazelnut praline.

I think it looks like the refillable boxes have gone - I wonder if a loss leader tin available to VIP me members with their first big pack purchase would be a good idea?

I'd really like the sachets to be recyclable, and a low calorie option would be excellent though I fear might mean it wasn't as nice!

5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I mainly used the hotel Chocolat chocolate sachets. I grated (by hand, think it would have been easier with a food processor) a bar of 70% dark chocolate from the co-op which was delicious. I've tried Charbonnel and walker as well, but had some hot chocolate attempts which turned out to be pellets not flakes, so those had to be pre-grated. I've also made one with Horlicks which was 10x easier than it usually is and very delicious. Think this would have looked better in a non-white cup though.

Total failure to attach a photo this morning.

What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

Looks great. Pale blue would be even better in my kitchen but I was very happy with the dark grey that came.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

Really easy to use, no problems cleaning using the recommended method. It lives out on the side which is fine.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I've made all the drinks supplied (the hot chocolate selection and the coffee selection) hot, hadn't tried any cold. I've also spent far too much on more flavours from our local Hotel Chocolat shop - the impact on my bank balance is the only downside!

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

I love the Hazelnut Latte and have bought more of that. My 5 year old loved the slated caramel hot chocolate, I preferred the chilli one.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I really need to look some up! Will go back through the thread for inspiration. I had planned to maybe sell on the Velvetiser after completing the feedback, but no chance of that now, love it too much.

Q1. What did you think of the look and style ?
A. Very nice, I liked the simplicity. I have very few gadgets and don’t like too many bells and whistles. This is elegant. I have the coppery colour but all are nice, strong colours would also be good, or cream.
Q2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use ? Was it easy to clean and store ?
A. So easy ! I am impressed. I had seen this online and been tempted, but thought I may as well use a saucepan as usual. In fact this is so much simpler and faster, and easier to clean, than making chocolate in a pan. I haven’t actually stored it away yet as we have used it so often that it has stayed on the counter, but it is a neat size to put in a cupboard.
Q3. Which drinks did you make with the Velvetiser ? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser for the drinks you tried ? Please consider the process for making hot and cold drinks.
A. I have made all the flavours supplied, eg all the hot chocolate flavours, and the hazelnut latte. I have already repurchased a mixed flavour box, a hazelnut latte box, and a hazelnut chocolate box twice. We drink a lot of hot chocolate here ! I haven’t tried the cold as the hot always seems more appealing, and the Velvetiser arrived just as two of the household went down with Covid, so comforting hot drinks were requested.. will try cold asap and update. The Velvetiser is ridiculously easy to use, bish, bash, bosh. Speedy to clean. I pop it on, load or unload the washing machine or some other swift task, and by then the drink is done. My teenage daughters are scared of our gas cooker and hate lighting the hob, (we don’t have an electric kettle either) so this is also an easy way that they can make themselves a hot chocolate.
Everyone loves it !
Q4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like the most ?
I LOVE the hazelnut chocolate and the hazelnut latte. So delicious. Smaller daughter (14) likes the white chocolate and the milky. Older daughter (16) the classic and the hazelnut, husband likes the mint and the ginger or chilli. We have had a tricky month due to Covid and other things so I haven’t played around with flavours, although I did use a more bog standard hot chocolate in it one weekend whole waiting for the next lot of sachets to arrive. Worked well and made it nicer than normal, but not as delicious as the HC own brand ones.
I think other nutty flavours would be good, and maybe a cherry ?
Q5. Which recipes did you try ?
A. Have only used the main ones but i am about to try grated dark chocolate as i have a large bar. I have appreciated the speed and ease of use and so have used it when tired or feeling worn out and in need of a little delicious something, so I haven’t played around with ingredients yet, but I think the teenagers will enjoy doing that.

In summary, i like it a lot, if I have any criticisms they would be that it would be good if the sachets were recyclable, and perhaps that the drink was a fraction hotter, although the second one is not essential at all. 

This would be a great gift for a student off to halls. My teenagers love it as much as I do.

Thank you for choosing us to to trial this. My younger daughter has just started sea swimming again after Covid, and this is all she wants when she gets in and out of her wetsuit!

I've read on MN before that the hot chocolate isn't that hot and that people even go on to microwave it to get it hot enough.

Would anyone confirm or deny this please?

@pompomsgalore

I've read on MN before that the hot chocolate isn't that hot and that people even go on to microwave it to get it hot enough.

Would anyone confirm or deny this please?

This has been mentioned in the reviews and one reviewer at least says she puts it in the microwave for a few seconds but it’s no bother. Most reviewers like the fact that it is instantly drinkable.

@pompomsgalore

I've read on MN before that the hot chocolate isn't that hot and that people even go on to microwave it to get it hot enough.

Would anyone confirm or deny this please?

I usually heat the cup up before I put the hot chocolate in, by filling the cup with hot water - like I would heat a teapot up before I put tea in, and I find that keeps it perfectly warm.

@pompomsgalore

I've read on MN before that the hot chocolate isn't that hot and that people even go on to microwave it to get it hot enough.

Would anyone confirm or deny this please?

Yes, it's true. It only takes about 15 seconds though.

It’s not boiling hot, but I’ve never needed to microwave it. It comes out at the perfect ready to drink temperature for me.

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

Ours was a gift. We have the copper one. It looks great, which is as well as it’s permanently out on the worktop.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

Very easy to use, my 10 year old makes his own drinks with it. Storage - as above, it never goes away.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

We have used Hotel Chocolate sachets and their larger packs, several brands of other hot chocolate powders & Callebaut chocolate pips. I’ve never used it for cold drinks. I agree it would be good if they had a super size option.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

I love the Black Forest flavour and need to stock up as I think it’s seasonable. We mostly use the milky hot chocolate. We have bought flavoured syrups to use with it, salted caramel being a particular favourite. The orange is really good too.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

We sometimes use squirty cream with mini marshmallows as an extra treat, but mostly we drink it as it comes. It is really really good hot chocolate and has made me very fussy about hot chocolate elsewhere. I agree that the temperature is good for drinking straightaway, it feels quite cool to me, as I drink black coffee mostly and am used to scaldingly hot drinks. I do tend to prewarm the cups while the machine is running to help it stay warmer for longer.

@pompomsgalore

I've read on MN before that the hot chocolate isn't that hot and that people even go on to microwave it to get it hot enough.

Would anyone confirm or deny this please?

Hot enough to melt chocolate, cool enough to drink straight away - probably not good if you like tongue-burning hot drinks, but perfect temperature for me. I don’t know if there’s a variation between machines but it never occurred to me that it needed warming up. I don’t own a microwave, so if I had to warm up the drink straight out of the velvetiser, I would have sent it back.

@pompomsgalore

I've read on MN before that the hot chocolate isn't that hot and that people even go on to microwave it to get it hot enough.

Would anyone confirm or deny this please?

Yes I just got one and had to put in microwave. It's also a very small serving like tassimo! My Emma Bridgewater Cocoa mug takes two full servings if that gives you any idea! I'm sending mine back (it was bought, not given to me for testing purposes)

It's also a very small serving

Given the calories, that's probably no bad thing 😂

A serving fits my usual mugs OK but they're smaller than a Bridgewater one. I think the Velvetiser takes about 250ml of milk

@SussexBonfireViking

1) What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I have a grey one - its ...ok?

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

It is easy to use, clean and store (due to size). No fiddly bits or tricky corners. I like the cleaning routine
It would be good if you could make more than one at a time

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I didnt know you could make cold drinks - only made hot choc - tried different milks, semi skimmed (very good) skimmed (very good) coconut (very good) oat (NOT very good)

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

I have only used non hotel chocolate ones - charbonnel & walker (very good) , and works well mixed with an 'instant' hot chocolate

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

would like to try some of the sachets - and will be trying some google recipes

I actually got this for my birthday (which is next month) but opened early as my DC was feeling low

the first 15 non-testers to share their feedback will receive their choice of Hotel Chocolat’s new Black Forest Gateau or Salted Caramel & Clementine flavour sachets (subject to providing delivery details).

Was i in time

Sussex I think I was also in the first 15 non testers to comment and I haven’t heard anything yet about free samples. Maybe they’re waiting until all the official testers have commented?

I'm hoping I still have a chance for freebies as a non tester

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

More range would be good to match people's kitchen themes though I went for charcoal and I like it. It is small too which really helps when considering buying in terms of storage space.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

Storing is easy due to size. Cleaning also easy you just have to remember not to submerge so I usually do it straight after making my drink so the residue doesn't stick.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I have only ever made hot chocolate and it is very easy. I found the scoops are too many for me I like it quite weak so I prefer this to buying one as I can actually have it how I like it. I usually make salted caramel or white hot chocolate.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

Gingerbread always sells out fast near Christmas so please sell more! I like white hot choc and salted caramel. I liked milky too in the past.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I create a 'babycino' for my little person so he isn't left out! He loves the frothy milk :)

Anyone get their chocolate?

No, still not heard anything.

Haven't heard anything here either. :(

Is there anyone out there, product tester or not, who has made cocktails using it?

It claims you ca, but it seems very few (or on this thread no one) does. Would like to knpw before I consider buying one.
Thanks

I’m a non tester we’ve had our velvetiser for a couple of years .

1. I think the colour choice is fine and it’s a very attractive machine
2. Ours sits out on the side all the time , it’s very easy to clean which is one of its main attractions for me .
3. We make hot chocolate and coffee in ours , it’s very easy to use, I’ve never made cold drinks in it
4. I like the salted caramel sachet best
5. We often put squirty cream and marshmallows on but I don’t get more exotic than that .

I’ve not seen anything about making cocktails in it. You can make hot and cold milky drinks, and then there’s nothing to stop you adding the alcohol of your choice to those.

I wouldn't make cocktails or any cold drink in it because it makes hot drinks that you then have to cool down. Ridiculous IMO.

I suppose the theory is that it stirs them really well. You wouldn't need it to be milk.

Not one of the testers.

I have seen the TV adverts for the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser and have read some of these reviews.
We love a hot chocolate so I thought I would buy one.
But they are so pricey! £140 on Amazon. Cheapest price anywhere is £99.
Are they really worth the cost?