I am not a coffee drinker, with the occasional exception of drinks that contain more milk, caramel and ice than actual coffee. However, when the weather turns brisk, I drink hot cocoa.
Several years back my family purchased its first automated hot chocolate machine, and my life was forever changed. Previously, I had made the occasional instant cup with hot water, but you have no idea how much better that same mix is when milk is added. I was an instant addict. I’m also clumsy and likely to burn myself when dealing with a stove or oven, so an automated machine is perfect for me.
Here’s the thing, though: thus far, no cocoa machine has been perfect. I’m like Goldilocks, trying to find that perfect product. Hopefully, you gadget geeks out there know of something I don’t, and that’s why I’m making my search public.
These are the two machines I’ve had the most experience with, and their pros and cons:
Cocomotion, by Mr Coffee
This is my original life-changer. It’s cheap – around 20 bucks, and easily available, from Amazon to WalMart. You pour in the liquid and the cocoa, hit ON, and, in the words of Maurice Moss, just walk away. It heats it to a really nice temperature, not scalding, not lukewarm. Overall, a “nice” product.
Here’s the problem, though: The whole thing is one piece. The spinner that mixes is is a detachable magnet, which is nice, but the plastic container is attached to the plastic bottom. No dishwasher, and it’s awkward to hold when you’re washing it out.
Oh, and, turns out, it’s not the greatest quality. My family went through at least two or more when I was in college; later, I bought my own, and it died in about a year. It starts losing heat, and it stops mixing as well, leaving giant chocolately clumps… essentially, the whole thing just dies. When mine died last year, I started hunting for a different brand to replace it, and I wound up with…
Cocoa-Latte, by Back to Basics
Essentially, it’s the same idea – plastic container, plastic bottom. Runs for around 30 bucks at places like Amazon and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Immediately, it appeared superior to the Cocomotion.
For one thing, the container detaches from the base. It has a plug on the bottom, which means it’s still not dishwasher-safe, but it’s much easier to wash. The quality of the whole thing seemed slightly better, and it came with a little recipe book for additional drinks. In terms of heat, mixing, everything checked out. Oh, and it also had a little dispensing spigot, so I didn’t have to detach the container to pour my drinks.
I used it every day. After about a month or so, however, the lever on the little spigot snapped clean off.
I knew this was a possibility – it’s mentioned more than once in Amazon reviews. In fact, I initially planned not to use the spigot at all, but it was just so cute and handy, I couldn’t resist.
Luckily, it snapped off when the spigot was closed, which means I now effectively have the same machine, but without the dispenser. And that’s not a big deal; the container is also shaped to pour, and since I can detach the top half, it’s still easier to pour than the old Cocomotion. It’s been getting daily use again this year, and everything else still seems great.
That’s what’s so frustrating – a spigot isn’t a necessity; why add something with the potential to render the whole machine unusable?
I always have one eye out for the ultimate cocoa machine, something with all the automated benefits and a dishwasher-safe container, but so far my Cocoa-Latte seems to be the best, even with a busted spigot. Which is fine for me (I wouldn’t want to be the person whose spigot broke in the pour position), but I’m hoping the wrinkles get ironed out in the future.
But I wonder, do you know something I don’t? Is there a better product out there – maybe not geared for cocoa, but one of those weird coffee products that are utterly foreign to me? Do you have any appliances which, ridiculous as they may be, get a lot of use?
And if you happen to design such products – you have your marching orders!
About j
AHHH! I hate these kind of things! It seems to wasteful to design and market products made out of new renewable substances when there are easier, less wasteful ways to do it. But then I am a dirty hippie/idealist/commie [delete as appropriate].
My most useless kitchen item is a sandwich toaster. I haven’t used it since I got a George Foreman four years ago, and which makes much nicer toasted sandwiches.
I also have a Le Cruset pan which has the ridges like the George Foreman. I’ve used it once, to cook sausages and had such a nightmare cleaning it, that I’ve never used it again. I’d feel bad about this (given it was a present from my Mum), except she bought one as well and never uses it.
.-= Hammer´s last blog ..Equipment: Hammer’s Big Green Bag of Holding =-.
Does this just use typical instant hot chocolate mix, or something else?
When I want hot cocoa with milk, I typically just warm up the milk in the microwave. Or just microwave some chocolate milk!
I totally get the sentiment against uni-taskers… but is it useless if I use it every day? Technically I could also use it for heating up any old liquid, which could be useful in cooking.
@J – You could make hot apple cider. YUM!
I am more of a hot tea girl myself, my husband is the fellow hot coco lover (and he would agree milk makes better coco than water). We generally use the “Toastermaker” for heating up water for drinks. It still has a plug in base so not dishwasher friendly but is basically just a big pitcher that you fill up with water so it doesn’t really require much care.
Otherwise, the most use appliance in our household is a deep fryer (that I can fully take apart and put in the dishwasher, go figure). I never though I would have or want one of these but they make french fries soooo much better. It is one household toy we actually make an effort not to use as often as we would like.
Try Kenwood CL628 Frothie Deluxe Hot and Cold Drinks Maker. I’m still in love with mine after 2½ years. It isn’t dishwasher safe but cleaning it isn’t difficult, just clean it right after use.