Hotel ChocolatVelvetiser - In-Home Hot Chocolate Machine - Barista-Grade Hot Chocolate Maker - Copper Edition - Complete Starter Kit - 2 Ceramic Podcups & 10 Single-Serve Sachets

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!!

The velvetiser is a quality product that is straightforward to use, I chose the copper finish as it looks great!The unit is easy to use with a defined MAX level mark. Washing is easy the unit is simply filled with water to the MAX then with 1 drop of washing up liquid turn on and wait 2.5 minutes then pour away and dry.The one caution is the unit has to be attended - the instructions advise the unit not be left plugged in or turned on when not in use, seems sensible for most machines?It makes fantastic hot chocolate without burning the milk depending on your choice of chocolate. It is also possible to take your favourite bar of chocolate, grate it then add to the velvetiser.In truth any drink made with hot milk can be made in the unit eg Ovaltine, Horlicks, coffee etc.I rarely buy hot chocolate outside now as it is better to make it at home!

After reading some conflicting reviews on this product I was torn as to whether or not this was worth the hefty price tag. It is, every single penny!Many mentioned the temperature. I like my hot drinks to be hot and while admittedly, this is not piping hot, it is perfect drinking temperature.Looks wise (I bought copper), it is stunning.It is difficult to see the fill level, but once you know how much volume is added with the bubbles, it's easier to use the included cups to measure.Instructions state to re-start the cycle with washing up liquid and water for automatic cleaning, though I find for a thorough clean, I still need to lift the whisk mechanism and wipe out by hand.The most important feature for me is that it is not necessary to use the hotel chocolat sachets. I have had good results grating dark chocolate and using that with milk. Better than that, I use a cheap, supermarket brand instant hot chocolate with water and the velvetiser makes it taste like a tassimo using a cadbury hot chocolate pod. So once you've shelled out for the veveltiser, you can have expensive tasting hot chocolate at a fraction of the price.I also liked that it comes with a recipe book for chocolate mousse and chocolate dipping sauce.Overall, yes, it is expensive, but it looks great, quiet operation and makes drinks taste more expensive and luxurious. Much quicker (and probably more energy efficient than boiling a kettle).If you're on the fence as I was, buy it, you won't regret it.

I love this, looks great, easy to clean, makes perfect great tasting smooth hot chocolate

I bought this for my mum for her 60th birthday I wasn't sure how good it would be but all the reviews said it was fab. It is so true the quality of the drinks are fabulous it's as my mum said "just like drinking a bar of chocolate". (this was from a hot chocolate) We have only used it once so far but it's super easy to use and the temperature of the drinks is just right it's hot enough without being too hot! If you've been debating on getting one I would reccomend you do. You won't look back at all.

Wife loves IT more than me! Quite expensive but does deliver luxurious hot chocolate in a couple of minutes.

Unfortunately had to send this back as it was a duplicate present for my daughter in law. She was given the same item and if I liked hot chocolate I would have kept this myself. She loves hers and it looks great in her kitchen. Worth the extra for the colour as it really looks nice. Great service from Amazon once again on the return. Shame someone else had the same idea for her birthday.