Hotel Chocolat - The Velvetiser System - Chalk

I LOVE the Velvetiser! It works as described and makes a single serving of cold or hot chocolate milk. If temperature is a concern for hot chocolate, transfer immediately into a insulated mug like a Yeti. I don't like scalded milk and the Velvetiser warms the milk to the perfect temperature. The included ceramic and glass pods for drinking are useless and I tossed them in the trash. The regular chocolate samples are OK, but the flavored samples taste artificial and they are too expensive. I immediately switched to using semi-sweet chocolate chips pulverized in a food processor. I tried hot cocoa powders, but they have a tendency to leave a gritty residue at the bottom of your drink. If you want to make a truly decadent drink, substitute whole milk for a bit of half and half or heavy cream. I hate kitchen appliances that are one-trick ponies, but this is a pretty cool product. I'm a bit of a chocolate milk junkie, so I will put the Velvetiser to regular use.

I love hot chocolate and trying different types. This was worth it! It makes an incredible cup of hot chocolate. The way it heats, mixes, and froths creates the perfect cup! Easy to make and easy to clean. After trying a few of the different types of hot chocolate packets that came with it I was able to identify my favorites.

I've had this for six months so time to review. I bought the machine while shielding & alone as a "cheer up" gift to myself. I thought perhaps the novelty might wear off but this amazing hot chocolate maker is still used daily and has become as essential as my coffee machine or kettle! Firstly the price, some have commented that £100 is too much for a hot chocolate maker, however this is less than a quarter of the price I paid for my coffee maker. For the price you get an amazingly well engineered machine (as you'd expect from Dualit who make the machine for Hotel Chocolat), plus two designer chocolate cups. Using the maker is really simple, add milk (incl almond or oat alternatives to dairy), add in a sachet of Hotel Chocolat (or required amount from their larger packs), then just press the button. In 2.5 mins the machine has heated the chocolate to the optimum temperature and whipped the chocolate into a unique light velvet texture. Some have commented that the machine doesn't make scalding hot chocolate, however that is the point, scalding hot milk destroys much of the subtle flavours a quality hot chocolate should have. If you need to have the drink so hot then there's no point in buying anything other than bargain supermarket chocolate as you are destroying the flavour. You can warm the cups (the instructions suggest this), although you can use hot water, I just put one empty cup in the microwave for 20 seconds while the Velvetiser is doing its magic. Onto the cups, I have arthritis so expected not to use a cup with no handle. However these cups, designed around the shape of a cocoa bean, have ridges around which make holding the cups really easy. Also they look amazing, are just the right size, and add to the special experience you feel when using the Velvetiser. After 2.5 mins the machine stops whirring and the light goes out and it's ready for pouring! I thought I'd miss that there's no beep to signal it being ready, that's about the only thing I'd want to add to the machine, but to be honest you are hovering by the machine waiting for your hot chocolat so it's not a problem. Pouring out is simple, the chunky handle and a small spout indentationon both sides mean is just as easy whether you are left or right handed. Before I discuss taste, cleaning is easy, the stirrer is a patented magnetic device which clips in and out and easy to rinse. Although you can't immerse the machine in water, you just need to rinse out the inside with warm water, maybe a drop of washing up liquid, then wipe dry. The exterior (copper was my choice) just needs a wipe to look as good as new. Now to tasting!! If you've had a Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate before, you'll know what to expect, if not you are treating yourself to the best hot chocolate you can buy There are many flavours and versions, standard hot chocolate comes in 50% (milky), 72%, 85% or 100% (really extreme chocolate taste!) Also a mint Chocolate, Chilli (surprisingly good even for me who doesn't like heat/spice), White chocolate with vanilla, Hazelnut, Salted Caramel. New this year are coffee lattes, plus Hotel Chocolat have seasonal specials, such as the amazing Clementine & Salted Caramel (which needs to be permanent!) You no longer get a pack of hot chocolate sachets with the machine. I recommend with the you buy a box of their assorted flavours (10 sachets in a box), as some flavours that you might not expect to like become your favourite! Being Hotel Chocolat, all of their products do not contain artificial flavour or colours, and they are a true ethical company. Some are Vegan as well as vegetarian (but like their Vegan Friendly chocolates you'd never know, which is the biggest complement you can pay!) Phew sorry it took a long review, but this machine, after six months, is still used daily and I absolutely love it. The Velvetiser is a premium product but well worth its price, looking as good as new despite repeated use. Likee the chocolate sachets & tubs, it is worth paying a little extra for the very best hot chocolate experience. (And farmers are paid a decent price) The number of five star reviews confirm this. If you love Hot Chocolate, definitely treat yourself to the very best, you deserve it!!

So easy to use, perfect creamy hot chocolate every time. Fill with milk to the fill line, add your grated chocolate - use the Hotel Chocolate sachets or around 3-5 tea spoons of your preferred chocolate (depending on individual taste) put the lid on and press the on/off button. Around 2mins 20 seconds later it switches itself off when it’s reached the preset temperature and it’s ready to pour. Suitable for left or right handed people it has pour indents on both sides which is good, and is cordless from the base like most kettles are nowadays. Just as quick to clean out as use, the non stick coating ensures fast cleaning ready for tomorrow’s use. Not cheap considering what it does, but worth it as the quality is high, and gets used regularly in our house. Ours came with 2 cups which are size matched to the amount the machine will make, and a selection of different chocolate sachets to try and I thought the milk chocolate would be our favourite, but was very surprised to find the 70% dark to be the best flavour and we don’t even normally like dark chocolate, yet alone one with a high cocoa content! So you might be surprised to find out the same. Apparently, the 70% dark is the most popular seller according to Hotel Chocolate, so other people must think the same too. If you love hot chocolate this is a must have.

Thrilled about the elegant jug (copper a good choice), and it works quietly and effectively in producing silky hot choc...yummy. Its easy to clean and has gained a permanent position on my bench. Previous review flagged Aus incompatibility - its not a big deal. From the UK the electrical compliance is fine.. just buy an adapter to fit our powerpoints. Inexpense and safe. Another reviewer advised that we cant buy the Hotel Chocolate chocolate, and reading the instructions the manufacturer tells us to only use their porduct. But the mechanisn is very simple, and any locally available product works perfectly. You can get creative and make your own...I tried a popular chocolate orange from the supermarket and pulsed it in a food processor for a couple of seconds. Ta daaa! However if Amazon decides to stock the boxes of sachets, can we have the Black Forest - heavenly.