New Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser - do I buy it or some alternative?

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asiya99@reddit

I have the HC one - drinks are never hot enough, makes only one cup at a time and jams if you use anything but flakes or powder. Not worth it in my opinion and Amazon has so many alternatives

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TheHootOwlofDeath@reddit

I have a Morphy Richards milk frother and I highly recommend it for hot chocolate.

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feedmenow1977@reddit

I used to have a velvetiser, but it broke after about 3 years (daily use, not bad going), but I really didn't want to drop another £100 on a new one. I did lots of research & decided to get a Salter hot chocolate maker & it is magnificent!!! Half the price of the velvetiser & it's a much bigger jug as well!!! Shop around, read reviews & see what else is out there. Also, I get hot chocolate flakes from Pendragon Drinks, they are amazing!!!!

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TopNiftyCat@reddit

I got the Dualit Milk Frother Max last year for my wife and its incredible. Its cheaper and we can make two hot chocolates out of it instead of one!

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Rumhampolicy@reddit

It's amazing. My mum bought one, then my sister did because it was so good. They rave about how incredible is compared to just making one normally. She makes everyone try it, she probably has secret shares in Hotel Chocolat. Pretty sure my brother is getting one for Christmas too 😂 Also, they both have coffee machines and milk frothers. Apparently it's completely different in the Velvetiser.

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Gulbasaur@reddit

My husband uses ours daily. He also does things like chai lattes with it. My only complaint is that it could be about 20% larger.

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ohsaycanyourock@reddit

How do you do your chai lattes? I've been getting into them recently and have a Velvetiser, this sounds delicious!

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Gulbasaur@reddit

He uses a mix that he adds to oat milk. I think it's a Bird & Blend one?

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ohsaycanyourock@reddit

Thanks! We have a Bird & Blend locally, I'll look out for it!

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aramintasorrows@reddit

I’d recommend their sticky chai - it’s lovely

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confusedcompsci@reddit

do you find that it doesn’t get hot enough though ? we have one that’s basically unused for that reason

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pomegranatedandelion@reddit

Ours gets so hot it’s difficult to drink at first. I wonder if yours is broken?

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EssentialParadox@reddit

I have one too. It’s also nicely made. Probably the nicest looking thing in my kitchen!

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Significant-Leek7923@reddit

We have a £20 one from B&M, chills and heats with froth. Honestly wouldn't look to upgrade to the HC one, our hot chocolate is just as good as the free samples in Whittards!

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UPFLou@reddit

Was going to say exactly this. The B&M one is also great for frothing/heating milk for coffees, wouldn't be without it now.

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NaomiT29@reddit

When the Velvetiser first came out I did look into it, but I was put off by only being supposed to use flaked chocolate with it, and that you can only make one small chocolate at a time, both of which were too limiting for me. I ultimately got a Smeg Multi Milk Frother, which has different settings for hot or cold frothed milk, light or dense, non-frothed warm milk, and a dedicated hot chocolate setting. It can handle solid chocolate like Cocoa Canopy beads and up to 600ml, so you can make a bigger chocolate or even two drinks at once, which is far superior IMO. It's not a cheap bit of kit, but if you're a hot chocolate enthusiast it's well worth it.

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willp2003@reddit

We have the velvetiser (original) and we often have to make multiple cups, and I’ve always said a bigger version would be better. We sometimes use powdered chocolate but it sticks to the bottom. I might look into that Smeg. Thanks

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NaomiT29@reddit

The size limitation was probably the biggest factor in me deciding against it, to be honest. It seems ridiculous to me that you can only make one small drink at a time, especially when you get two cups with the machine and most of the imagery shows at least two drinks together

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DangerousDisplay7664@reddit

One drink that is only 200ml too. If it was one drink but it was a mug full then it would be one thing, but the 200ml capacity of the velvetiser is too small imo

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EffenBee@reddit

You're not wrong that a bigger one would be good. Our Velvetiser routine is to pre-heat the mugs with freshly boiled water before it goes on for the first cup - we've found that's enough to keep mug 1 toasty while mug 2 is being made (and of course keeps it warmer while you're drinking it). Also a random shout out for Guppy's chocolate, who do chocolate flakes a bit cheaper (and a nicer range of flavours) that Hotel Chocolat's range.

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Moonlight_Lilac@reddit

I use mine exclusively all power drinks like hot chocolate, chai and matcha. Just make sure to put the powder after milk then giving it a gentle stir with spoon to help it while it’s on. Also I always put way more milk than the indicator says, probably 450ml and it’s always been fine! I have the old velvetiser and love it but only annoying thing is that it doesn’t make drinks hot hot. It’s hot for a moment but leave it for a few minutes it’s lukewarm 😩

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Maleficent-Drive4056@reddit

I use regular Cadbury powder in mine - it’s absolutely fine to use!

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TemporaryLove2@reddit

I’ve had an original Velvetiser and have used it daily for the last few years to make my lattes, mochas, hot chocolates. My only note is that they’re manufactured by Duolit so you may be able to get the equivalent but without the branding for better value. Incredible bit of kit though!

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Isgortio@reddit

It's one of the only reasons I go to my sister's house, I get a chocolate orange hot chocolate from the velvetiser haha. I won't get my own because I'd be drinking it all day and become very poor :D I don't like tea or coffee so this is my hot drink fix.

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HUAONE@reddit

The subminimal nano foamer makes the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had. I believe the way they work are similar, basically pulling a vortex through a screen. The handheld wands take much less space and costs about 1/4 the price of the velvetiser

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julesharvey1@reddit

Love ours makes the best hot chocolate. We grate mint aeros and use that instead of the hotel chocolat stuff

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muffinator@reddit

I love mine and we use it a lot. Doesn’t take much space and reasonably easy to clean. Had it maybe 3 years now and no issues

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TheKhaos121@reddit

You can try it for free in store, they usually have one out on a stand just ask a member of staff for a sample. I wasn't really blown away by it and I do believe you can get the same effect with an electric frother. My wife however, insists it's amazing and we need one. So I got one for £30 off vinted, if you search daily it seems people list them fairly cheap often, the only issue is it's used. The spinner I received was faulty and despite the machine being years out of warranty I contacted hotel chocolate and they sent me a new one for free.

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bluebellwould@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/pwifxm2hjk5g1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aea351f8dd8d3b6e0e8f4c5a8499bd29fce18bf7 This is ours off amazon. Does great hot chocolate. Also milkshake

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Spiritual-Ostrich-97@reddit

if you dont drink coffee or need to froth milk, why are you buying a milk throther? lol

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butt3rflycaught@reddit

I’ve just bought the Progress one from Morrisons for £20 and it’s just as good as the old version of Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, if not better. I

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hashbrowneggyolk0520@reddit

I've been looking at the velvetiser for years but I never know if I can really justify spending £100+ on something that makes hot chocolate. I'm definitely going to look out for this one next time i'm in Morrisons though.

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butt3rflycaught@reddit

I’ve only seen it online via the Morrisons app. I got it on my online order delivered.

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Psychological-Fox97@reddit

I honestly don't understand how they sell. The price is ridiculous and the size is impractical. You can get alternatives for a fraction of the price with more features and are an actual decent size. Don't pay the idiot tax.

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Theres3ofMe@reddit

DUALIT MILK FROTHER + SNOOPS 80% DARK CHOCOLATE 😍😍😍🤣

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CreativismUK@reddit

Got ours as a gift years ago and we use it a lot - after our coffee machine broke we just switched to an aeropress and use the velvetiser for the milk. So it can withstand a lot of use. The hot chocolate from it is awesome but I’ve seen a Dualit one that’s larger and can apparently make two cups at once, which is the only thing I’d change

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mafalda0hopkirk@reddit

So I am really tempted to get one, but I've found a nice recipe for making hot chocolate in a saucepan. Per mug of milk - 1 TSP cocoa powder - 1 TSP sugar - about 4 squares of chocolate Whisk until smooth, then if you want it extra silky, whisk in a little bit of cornflour slurry at the end (1tsp cornflour mixed with some milk in a cup, then whisked into the hot chocolate and heat through)

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Embarrassed_Park2212@reddit

I did have the old version and would buy the newer one in a heart beat if I only had the money. Hot chocolate or coffee just doesn't taste the same using a milk frother, believe me I tried, it's just not the same at all. I did use the hot chocolate powder in the original velvetiser and it did stick but I used to clean it out with no problems. A lot of folks, in other forums, recommend the chocolate flakes on amazon. The drinks are not hot either, which was perfect for me, and I guess the newer one will be the same but you can heat the drink in the microwave after if you want it hotter. So it's a yes from me.

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Soggy_Tangerine9340@reddit

We’ve the original version. Kids abuse it really badly. One recently left it submerged in a sink of water overnight. To my surprise it worked just fine once dried out. We also use powdered chocolate in it.

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rickle_picck@reddit

My boyfriend says it’s the best thing I bought him, he loves it. I do enjoy it too and I also use hot chocolate powder fine. Bf will cut up chocolate into little flakes like the saches but powder does work just fine

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Ru5k0@reddit

We have the Velvetiser and it’s amazing. We just chop up cheaper chocolate from the supermarket or occasionally if it’s a proper treat we use Knoops 43%. We love ours.

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ashyboi5000@reddit

Nah. Not since they're part of Mars Corp.

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Kudosnotkang@reddit

Dualit do one , I heard they are the actual manufacturer of Hotel Chocolat’s model too .

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ionthedonut@reddit

I have the Pro Cook hot chocolate maker which I like. It can be used with actual chocolate or with powder, which is why I chose it. Plus it’s cheaper than the Velvetiser. However, I do not know if the resulting drink texture is significantly different between the two.

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Idioteva@reddit

My in laws got it for us as a wedding gift as a frivolous items we wouldn't dream of buying ourselves. Absolutely love it to bits when first I was unsure. On a special night, watching a movie or sometimes when you just need a pick me up without breaking the bank, just pop into the cupboard and make a drink. The variety of flavours is what makes it and is so rich that you won't leave yourself wanting anything after. They are a little hug in a mug.

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willp2003@reddit

If anyone with a new one has tried using powered chocolate, does it stick to the bottom like the original velvetiser does?

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Jo3Pizza22@reddit

I use powdered in the original, and it works fine, doesn't stick at all. Are you putting the powder in first or something?

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willp2003@reddit

No, on top of the milk.

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pomegranatedandelion@reddit

We have the original and powdered sticks to the bottom of ours. Cocoa canopy works, if you put the chocolate beads in half-way through warming.

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bourton-north@reddit

Right but where did you put the powder on the bottom before milk or on top after milk. That is the critical detail here.

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Jo3Pizza22@reddit

Ah ok thats how I do it too. I've never had an issue, though

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mystic-echoes@reddit

I use powdered with the original one. Get the milk in first, switch it on, and put the powdered stuff on top.

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majesticfloofiness@reddit

No it doesn’t, at least not the ones we’ve tried. I use twinings powdered Swiss hot chocolate. This one we also use on the cold setting to make milkshakes for my son and it still blends perfectly. On the cold setting it seems to do short bursts of hot to blend, then cold. However what you CAN’T do is put the hot hotel chocolat flakes in on the cold setting as that does leave a gloopy mess as it doesn’t melt properly. Has to be the cold variety flakes. I’ve also found it’s easier to clean the unit as chocolate doesn’t stick to the corners as badly. 3 months in, no residue build up.

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Ineeda_lie_in@reddit

Well this is a thread I never knew I needed... Hot chocolate is big in our household and I have to mix and froth using one of those frother cups (no steamer or whisk) so that I can make the froth more dense. Which would be the best to invest in - the velvetiser or the smeg?

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MadJen1979@reddit

I know nothing, but am commenting purely to say Smeg. Dwarfers would agree - smeg heads.

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PuzzleheadedAd8938@reddit

You’re a smeeeeee heeeeeeeeee

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MadJen1979@reddit

And a complete and total one at that .

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DangerousDisplay7664@reddit

The smog.

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BigToeLilToe@reddit

is this the induction one or the mini one we’re talking about?

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HotAirBalloonPolice@reddit

I went for the smeg purely because it does a better job with non dairy milks, which have a lower fat content than cows milk and don’t froth up so easily. I use it for hot chocolate literally every day (husband has a hot chocolate advent calendar) and for frothy milk for my coffee every other day. Had it 5 years and still works great.

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PrestigiousTest6700@reddit

There’s a [deal](https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/smeg-mff11rduk-milk-frother-with-tritan-renew-red-reduced-to-clear-ps99-john-lewis-4713942) at the moment so I might bite.

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Maleficent-Drive4056@reddit

I have the original and tbh see very little difference between hot chocolate made it in and made on the stove. I do use it because it’s convenient, but the taste is the same to me!

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leapyeardi@reddit

Knoops is a great alternative to the sachets.

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rebebtay@reddit

I have the old model velvetiser and it’s one of my favourite purchases, I love it so much. I wouldn’t buy the new model unless mine broke because you can easily make cold chocolate in the old one by pouring it into an icy cup of milk!

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Girl-From-Mars@reddit

I got given one a couple of years ago. It's somewhere up the back of a cupboard. Honestly didn't think it was all that. The hot chocolate was nice but nothing spectacular that you couldn't do with a cup of milk and a microwave and a good stir tbh. I also was acutely aware of how many calories were in one of those drinks. It's like eating a daily bar of chocolate. More for special treat than a daily drink unless you want to end up ob.

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WinterGirl91@reddit

I buy the velvetiser sachets and just heat the milk in a saucepan and then whisk the flakes in with a silicone whisk. I could never bother with a whole machine just for the hot chocolate.

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cyanplum@reddit

I got a knock off one and it broke within 5 uses.

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SamBrrrrrr@reddit

Love ours. Got my husband one for Christmas one year. Easy to use and clean. We buy the hot chocolate sachets when they are on offer. Can also use any grated chocolate but prefer the hotel chocolat sachets

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Ruskythegreat@reddit

The original hotel Chocolat one was made by dualit, not sure about the new version. That said, they all work in the same way, I got a Lakeland one that's amazing.

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RaymondBumcheese@reddit

It’s more expensive than it used to be but we buy those Maya 1kg tubs of chocolate flakes from Amazon for ours. They work perfectly and are much cheaper than the sachets.

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rebellious_gloaming@reddit

Friends of mine have the previous Velvetiser and I was impressed by the hot chocolate. I am thrifty and bought a £20 large capacity milk frother from Amazon to make Korean coffee. But if you buy some dark and light chocolate from a shop, chop it up quite finely with a knife, and pop it into the £20 frother you get the same hot chocolate experience at a fraction of the cost of the Velvetiser and the chocolate flakes in a Hotel Chocolat packet.

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AcreCryPious@reddit

Use ours all the time, kids (and me) love it. Makes lovely foamed milk for cappuccino as well which is nice.

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Old_Pomegranate_822@reddit

We use a dualit milk frother and powdered hot chocolate and it works well. I can't see the model we bought now though - looks like it's now a more expensive "hot chocolate and milk frother"

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Spottyjamie@reddit

Refurbed first gen, not the new one imo

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djfnejdijRandom@reddit

I have the Illy milk frother which has a hot chocolate setting. I think it’s a better design than the Velvetiser, the jug is effectively just a solid stainless steel jug, it’s easy to clean. It makes perfect hot chocolate.

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GuybrushFunkwood@reddit

It’s the best hot chocolate you can make at home! Buy and you won’t regret

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anonoaw@reddit

I have the original one. Husband bought it for me for Christmas a complete surprise. Absolutely never would’ve bought it myself. I love it. I use it all the time in winter, usually for a 3pm pick me up when I’m working from home 😂. my 5yo loves it as a treat too. It really is the best hot chocolate you can make at home. If I don’t have any of the Hotel Chocolat chocolate in I just use whatever powdered stuff I have and it’s still great. I don’t like coffee so I do just use mine for hot chocolate. There are probably cheaper alternatives out there but I don’t know if they’re as good.

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DangerousDisplay7664@reddit

Got my dad one for Xmas a few years ago and was surprised by how small the cups are! It’s only about 200ml which is a couple of mouthfuls. Aldi and Lidl often stock their own versions which are like half the price to the Hotel Chocolate one.

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Fickle_Hope2574@reddit

It just melts chocolate. Easier to just melt it with some cream on the hob. You can get tassimos, Nespresso etc that make various hot chocolates, teas, coffees all that jazz.

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EssentialParadox@reddit

I have one. It doesn’t just melt chocolate, it microfoams the milk. It’s almost impossible to do by hand.

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Fickle_Hope2574@reddit

Hmm gonna have to buy one now just to prove you worn

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Klakson_95@reddit

I've got one that was bought for me for Christmas I use it every few months and it does make a nice hot chocolate But it is quite specific, I guess how much do you like hot chocolate?

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GotAnyNirnroot@reddit

I'm actually interested to see if anyone here strongly advocates for that product. We bought a milk frother, as my wife occasionally enjoys a late. And it's a novelty for when we have guests over. But a specific device for hot chocolate seems overly niche to me

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