Williams-Sonoma and Bialetti's New Hot Chocolate Maker
As winter, with its gray skies, whipping winds, and white Christmases rolls in, all I want at the end of the day (or in the morning when I first wake up, or right now, in the office) is a magically warming and charming and energizing cup of hot chocolate. But it seems like the only way to make one without much effort is to rip open a paper packet of powder. Even Starbucks starts with syrup. But I don't want hot cocoa. I don't want hot chocolate milk. I want hot C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E.
Dynamic duo Williams-Sonoma and Bialetti (of espresso pot fame) have co-released the Hot Chocolate Pot. Plug it in, pour in some milk, and add fresh chopped chocolate—or mix, cocoa, syrup, or whatever you fancy—set the timer, and walk away. When the bell chimes minutes later, the pitcher is full of perfectly steaming hot chocolate, thick and rich, and because of the frothing attachment, with the creamy and jubilant head of a cappuccino. No more chalky powder, thick chocolate milk skin, or burnt pot bottoms. And now you can try your own flavors: lavender white hot chocolate, spicy dark chocolate, and three chocolate blend.
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21 Comments:
santa~if you're reading this, i'd like to put the hot chocolate pot at the top of my list instead of naked george clooney. thanks. (g.c.still ranks 2nd tho)
gastronomeg at 2:35PM on 12/12/08
This is a completely irrational response, but my first reaction is that it's a completely adorable appliance. If I saw it in a store, I would pick up and say, "Oh, what a cute little pot. What does it do?"
Even now, and even though I have no need at all for a hot chocolate maker, I'm looking at it and thinking that it would look good on my countertop, and I'm wondering what else a person could use it for.
I've completely lost my mind, haven't I?
dbcurrie at 2:49PM on 12/12/08
Blech. Unitasker. Do not want.
My kettle and spoon do me just fine, thank you very much - and if I wanted "real" chocolate hot chocolate, I'd do what the pro's do and use a double boiler (otherwise known as a pyrex bowl over a pot of water) and a whisk.
Or the microwave.
It melts chocolate too, you know.
beth maher at 3:23PM on 12/12/08
Hmm, if I had one of these around, my fourteen year old son would use it all the time--and I would always be out of milk and chocolate.
dhorst at 3:28PM on 12/12/08
I think if I were in a Williams-Sonoma right now, I'd throw myself onto the ground and have a tantrum like a three-year-old until someone bought this for me.
poke87 at 3:57PM on 12/12/08
@beth: it actually froths milk for lattes or other frothy drinks also. Anything you'd want to heat and foam would work well. So maybe dual tasker. :)
I have lots of experience with this machine, and it gets two thumbs up for mixing any kind of hot chocolately beverage uniformly, something I can't do with my spoon. And you really can't beat the creamy foamy layer that it makes on top. Mmmm!
(Plus, WS cocoa is on sale right now....since I've purchased my cocoa, I hope Santa brings me the cocoa maker. :) )
amanda0730 at 7:12PM on 12/12/08
I am in favor of a hot chocolate machine...though I have a Cocomotion (by Mr Coffee I think) that I got for $9.99. It doesn't froth the milk but make a darn good mug of hot cocoa, even using the Williams-Sonoma chocolate. $79.99 seems pretty pricey, but it is a lot better to look at than mine!
mrsmoosie at 7:27PM on 12/12/08
$79.99 seems like a lot of money for an appliance that only does one thing and its one thing is seasonal.
beth1 at 8:04PM on 12/12/08
I agree with everyone - it's silly and I can make hot cocoa myself and I want it more than anything! I can make hot chocolate, but I don't. And it would make me happy to have foamed milk for my coffee.
I'm currently deciding how wrong it would be to give it as a christmas gift just so I can use it.
cyberroo at 8:11PM on 12/12/08
I disagree about the seasonal bits, I hot cocoa is an every day food. :D
That said... 80 dollars for something that I can do fairly easily with a saucepan and a spoon is too much. Even if it DOES do a better job than me.
comicsan at 8:29PM on 12/12/08
I would gain 100 pounds in my first six months of ownership of that thing.
RegrettableFoodie at 8:47PM on 12/12/08
If it whipped cream with sugar and vanilla or made marshmallows to top the cocoa, I might consider it. ;-)
PerkyMac at 8:55PM on 12/12/08
Funny this should be posted since a couple of days ago I commented:
-----
Goofy kitchen appliances (please don't buy that for me!)
Has anyone seen those hot chocolate makers? It's like a blender that warms and mixes the milk (or water) and the hot chocolate powder mix. An old roommate had one, and it was loud, bulky, and took up too much space on the counter. Uh? What about a pot on the stove and your lazy bum stirring it every now and then?
jourgy at 11:15AM on 12/09/08
jourgy at 9:10PM on 12/12/08
It looks as though it would be a PitA to clean.
I'm happy with heating milk and mixing in cocoa and sugar in a saucepan.
Mares at 10:43AM on 12/14/08
For $80 it better make some kick-ass marshmallows. And where is the Mexican hot chocolate attachment?
jboylan at 7:41PM on 12/14/08
Don't disagree with most of you but FYI it can also be used to blend up cold beverages as well. The heating element can be turned off. I looked at it in the store to find out a bit more as I tend to be a little forgetful and scald my milk sometimes.
chrissskie at 7:20PM on 12/16/08
I bought this for my assistant for Christmas, and luckily my husband bought one for me too. This makes delicious, perfect temperature hot chocolate in a couple of minutes and cleans up very nicely in under a minute. Looks like Williams Sonoma is saying it is no longer available at this time on their site (and that it's exclusive). You can't froth in a sauce pan (or can you?), so after your hot chocolate has been blended and warmed, you just throw in the little frothing attachment that spins in a circle to create a rich and creamy froth on top of your chocolate. You control the amount of froth you want by just flipping it to off when you see you have enough.
wuhangirl at 1:48PM on 12/26/08
If you have not tried this, you have no idea what you are missing. I received this as a Christmas gift and let it sit a few weeks. The other night I made a pot and it was the unbelievable! The froth that the machine made was perfect....you could never make this in a pot on the stove. It made it the perfect temp too.....This is well worth the money if you love hot chocolate. Top it with fresh made whip cream or some cute marshmallows.....yummm. Your kids will love it too.......
mamacaz at 7:43PM on 01/11/09
I actually work at W-S, and I would not purchase this pot even with my 40% discount. Aside from being more or less a uni-tasker, the frother floats around in the pot and it makes a big, drippy mess for clean-up. It is really cute, but I can't see what materials or technology make it worth $80. Heat your milk and chocolate in the microwave or on the stove top, then whisk it; the froth won't be as thick, but is froth worth $80?
cinnamon_gerl at 9:50PM on 01/12/09
You will soon be able to find this product again; Bialetti will bring it back and it will be available mid summer 2009.
I am currently testing one and I have to say: forget everything you have in your kitchen to make milk froth or hot chocolate.
I know double boiler work for this and the microwave might too; but this is really something everyone, who enjoys frothed milk on top of a cappuccino or hot chocolate or even cold mixed drinks, should have one.
I use dutch cocoa powder and a splash of honey to make really good hot chocolate and I use only soy milk. Soy milk works the best as it frothes like crazy!
Bialettishop.com will have this item available later this year.
My neigbor went bananas when she heard about the hot chocolate maker by Bialetti and she is delighted to see this item coming back- is she is looking for an easier way to prepare hot chocolate for her kids.
I think it is worth the money..........since I use it every day for my cappuccino!
cappuccini at 1:15PM on 06/19/09
My sister is a serious soy hot cocoa drinker. She used to go to Starbucks and get one every morning on the way to work. Then they changed soy. Ugh! Out of desperation I went online and got this at Williams-Sonoma, for $79.95. First, the instructions were unclear. Second, it was loud. Third, it was difficult to clean. Most importantly, after using it on a more or less daily basis for LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, it died. Since Wiliams-Sonoma does not offer it year round, I went to Amazon and ordered a Mr. Coffee Cocomotion for $22.95. No it doesn't froth as much, and it's not as stylish, but for a little more than a quarter the cost of the Bialetti it makes great cocoa. Don't waste your money on the Bialetti. Get the Cocomotion instead.
marycholmes at 9:44AM on 07/08/09