Milk heater

[Chris C]

I'm very partial to some hot chocolate at this time of year and I usually heat the milk in a pan. (No I won't entertain the idea of making hot chocolate with water) Is there an easier way?

I have a milk frother thing I got ages ago but it doesn't get the milk hot enough.

I also enjoy a nice latte, am I looking at investing in a coffee machine to do both?

 

[Chris C]

There are lots of equivalents to that Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate maker out there. But when you read the user reviews, they all tend to get complaints of not quite getting the milk hot enough too. (Edit: reading your post again, this might be what you're talking about already having. Sorry if so!)

The answer (apparently, only repeating what I've read) is to heat the mug with boiling water before pouring the hot chocolate in. That apparently makes enough difference to cancel out the not-quite-hot-enough.

Example (picking the Dualit because it's a known brand, but there's hundreds out there):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dualit-Handheld-Milk-Frother-cappuccinos/dp/B0CGDNC6Y2

Tried this today and it's definitely helped! Not sure it's quite as hot as I'd like, but it's made enough of a difference that I'll probably just carry on using my milk frother and preheat the mug. Thanks

 

[Chris C]

OP, what milk frother do you have which doesn't get it hot enough?

I have the Hotel Chocolat velvetiser which does a grand job of this, and I'm told the Dualit branded one (the same company which makes them for HC) is just as good if not better, and can often be found for sub-£50 at Costco.

I'm not sure, it was one off of Amazon years ago. I did look at the Hotel Chocolate velvetiser though.

I got this recently from Instant Pot and it gets milk to around 80c.

Does a decent enough Hot Chocolate mix and milk for the coffee.

That does look good, nice capacity too!

Heating the cup which was suggested has also helped. I think I'll pull the trigger in one of those instant pot ones.

 

[Chris C]

The capacity is one of the main reasons I got it. You can do 2 hot chocolates in one go or milk for multiple cups of coffee.
The base is slim and easy to have out and cup is easily washable.

Dreo and Subliminal looked cool but went for the Instant Pot as does what it needs to well.

We have a winner. Turned up earlier today, just made a lovely hot chocolate, much hotter than my other milk frother. The 500ml capacity is a great bonus as well

My only gripe would be the naming, it is anything but 'instant' but worth the wait.