Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker review: great results from choc leftovers

Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker review in a sentence: A simple but effective gadget that delivers deluxe results every time using any kind of chocolate.

I do like a bit of chocolate as does everyone else in my household. However, it’s quite weird just how many half-finished or unopened packs we have lying around. I realised this after getting the fantastic Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker in for review recently. This is a brilliant gadget that lets you make great hot chocolate using bits of chocolate bar, old Easter eggs, flakes, buttons, shards and even powder leftovers. Not only does it make use of this choccie detritus from the back of fridges and kitchen cupboards, the results are excellent too.

There are, of course, countless countertop drink makers including everything from the best milk frothers arena, but this is the first time I’ve had the chance to try out a dedicated hot chocolate appliance. What might have put me off it was the post-drink process but thanks to its neat design, the Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker is a doddle to clean. The internal components can even be put in the dishwasher, although it’s so compact that handwashing the inside of the jug is no problem either.

While the current benchmark product might be the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, this Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker model is cheaper and no less good. Read on to hear more on why it could, in fact, be the best option to buy.

Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker: Price and availability

The Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker is available now and comes in two different finishes – Copper or Chrome. I got the Copper model for review, but the Chrome variant looks just as good. Both retail for £69.99 apiece, which considering just how well this appliance works, seems like good value to me.

Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker: design and features

The Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker is a home appliance that’s been designed to make light work of producing custom hot chocolate, but it can also be used to make milkshakes and mochas in the same way. The appliance has a compact countertop design that takes up very little space, while still offering a decent-sized jug.

It comes complete with everything needed to get started, aside from the ingredients, with power cable and blending components that include a whisk and basket along with the main drink-making unit itself. This sits on a small circular base that supplies the power. Therefore, only the internal whisk and blender components can be washed a dishwasher.

Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker: Performance

What I love most about the Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker is that it’s so easy to use. There’s very little effort involved in creating your hot drinks. Simply add the milk and chocolate of your choice and press the round power button on the front of the jug. I tried this several times and the process is quick and fuss free. What’s brilliant about this machine is the way I could plonk any old bit of chocolate into the jug and the results were, basically, consistent hot chocolates every time.

While I did find the appliance worked brilliantly, the secret is really in how much chocolate you put in and what type it is. I like the way that you can mix and match chocolate leftovers, but depending on its quality the drink can end up being a little too sweet. So, I found that practice eventually produced the best drinks that suited my palette, but everyone has their own ideas on what makes a good quality hot chocolate. In that respect, the Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker is a top performer.

Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker: Verdict

I’m smitten with the Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker. It makes great hot chocolate drinks, and the best part is it achieves this by using any bit of chocolate I have at hand. As long as they’ve been in date, I’ve chucked all sorts into this little appliance and had great results every time. I have found that there’s a bit of knack to get the chocolate and milk mix right, to avoid drinks being slightly too sweet. Aside from that though, it’s excellent.

Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker: Alternatives to consider

As I mentioned at the beginning, there are plenty of the milk frothers to consider, like the Dualit Black Milk Frother which is similarly affordable, makes more at once and also has a cold setting.

If you're budget is tiny, there's also the the Ikea Produkt Milk Wand, which might lack the pizazz of this gadget but will froth up your next Nesquik. If you've got chocolate chunks to deal with though, the Dualit Cocoatiser Hot Chocolate Maker is still the best bet.