As the cold weather sets in, hot chocolate becomes a seasonal favourite. For regular drinkers, investing in a hot chocolate machine can be a wise choice, offering professional-quality drinks at home with minimal fuss. Two leading contenders are Hotel Chocolat's Velvetiser and Salter's The Chocolatier, each with distinct features and price points.
The Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, made by Dualit, costs just under £100 for the machine alone. It comes in three colours—rose gold, black, or white—and includes a wide whisk, a power base, a spouted jug, and two ceramic cups. To use, fill the jug with milk or plant-based milk to the marked line, add the provided chocolate shavings (available in vegan options), and press the single button. The machine heats and blends the drink in under three minutes, producing a smooth, silky hot chocolate. Cleaning involves rinsing the whisk and hand-washing the non-stick jug.
Salter's The Chocolatier retails at around £80, but is often on sale for £35-£40 at retailers like Amazon and Robert Dyas. It includes a jug, a small detachable whisk, and a power base. Unlike the Velvetiser, it has four settings for frothing milk and making hot chocolate, but does not come with chocolate shavings. However, its smaller whisk struggles to blend chocolate shavings effectively, often leaving speckled milk and melted residue at the bottom. Cleaning is simple with hot water and drying.
The Velvetiser, developed over 12 months by Hotel Chocolat and Dualit, delivers a rich, creamy hot chocolate comparable to store-bought versions. While pricier, frequent use reduces the cost per serve. The Salter machine offers versatility at a lower price, but its hot chocolate quality is compromised by the whisk design. For dedicated hot chocolate lovers, the Velvetiser is the superior choice; for those seeking a multi-functional frother, the Salter may suffice.
