Mr. CoffeeCocomotion Hot Chocolate Maker

I recently purchased the Mr. Coffee Cocomotion Hot Chocolate Maker in November, 2011. Since that purchase we have used it several times and are extremely pleased with its build quality, easy cleaning, and the quality of the hot chocolate it makes. The hot chocolate it makes is dependent on the mix you use and whether or not you use milk or water. However, the machine mixes and makes the hot chocolate well and quickly. We used the Ghirardelli Premium Hot Cocoa Double Chocolate mix with 1% white organic milk and found this combination mixed well and the temperature was hot enough. We have made anywhere from 8 to 32 ounces of hot chocolate with this machine and have not had any surprises or messes. It mixed all the amounts well and thoroughly and the longest it took was 3-4 minutes for the 32 ounces. We have not tried making hot chocolate only with water or some other mix since we are very pleased with the taste and consistency with what we are using. With milk it does give a slight frothing which is like what you would get at places like Starbucks or other high end coffee shops. All of my family, including our 2 children enjoy this machine and the hot chocolate it makes. The instructions are easy to follow and the cleaning is easy also. Just clean it immediately after you are done drinking your hot chocolate and it cleans easily and it stores easily since it is not very tall and it is one complete unit. I just hope it lasts for a long time since we are liking it that much. Once you make hot chocolate with this machine, making it any other way will be disappointing. To us, making hot chocolate with this machine took the taste and the experience of drinking hot chocolate up a notch.

Let's get the cons out of the way: an all in one unit so that the carafe does not separate from the base. Short power cord. Markings for cups difficult to see. That's it.It's really effortless to lift and pour with the entire appliance. A quick rinse with a soapy sponge and let it dry. And the short cord does store in the base which is very convenient and neat.Now for the pros: it makes great hot chocolate at just the right temperature-- hot enough but not burning hot. I like to use 12 ounces of milk, with a couple of tablespoons of cocoa and sweetener, keeping the drink sugar and as fat free as possible. The end result using a mix of 1% milk and fat free half and half is better than any hot chocolate I have ever tasted. And this amount takes just three minutes.All it takes is a push of a button to start the machine. It shuts off on its own when the hot chocolate reaches the correct temperature. It's relatively small for an appliance and takes up very little cupboard or counter space.It would be nice if the carafe separated from the base and it would be nice if it beeped when done rather than just shutting off. But in 3 minutes, I barely have time to leave the kitchen.A keeper, for sure, and quickly becoming one of my favorite toys. I have hot chocolate about 5 nights a week now.

I've had this cocoa maker for a couple of years now, and I can't tell you how much I love it. I like to make homemade cocoa mix, which tastes so much better than store bought syrups and mixes to me. The only problem is, my recipes call for unsweetened cocoa- and no matter how long you stir with your spoon, it never wants to disolve! This little machine has no problem with that. I pour everything in there, and it whips it right up- smooth and creamy, and to the perfect temperature, too. Hot, but not scalding. Clean up is easy as well, I just rinse it out and then give it a wipe with a soapy paper towel, and rinse again. Very easy.I love this little item so much, I'm giving one to each of my family members this year for Christmas. I'm including my favorite cocoa mix as well, and I'll include the recipe here for you too- if you are going to have a cocoa machine, you've got to put something in it besides syrup and milk! Here it is:3 3/4 cups dry milk powder3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 cup sugar (or Splenda, for great sugar-free cocoa)1 1/3 cup non-dairy creamer (powdered)Mix the ingredients in a food processor to blend and break up the chocolate powder. (This also improves it's appearance, better for gifts!) To make cocoa, add 1/3 cup mix to every 2/3 cup water, and let the Cocomotion do the rest. Fabulous!

In addition to making hot chocolate, I found this machine handy for making soup. Especially the condensed canned soups like Campbell's Cream of Chicken where it comes in a blob of gel that doesn't dissolve easy in cold water. I just scoop the can directly into the machine, add the water, put on the lid and press the start button. Four minutes later it's blended and hot.I've only had this for a few weeks so far and I like it overall. I wish it had a temperature control, though. When I make 16 ounces of hot chocolate, it comes out too hot to drink right away. So I either have to let it cool down or set my kitchen timer and manually stop it early. Cleanup is a little awkward holding the entire unit under the faucet trying to keep the cord out of the sink. It would be a lot easier if the top was somehow detachable like a blender.Amazon has this thing listed in multiple places and varying prices. I paid $45 for mine under this listing. Today it's showing $40. There's a separate Amazon listing at $55 right now. It's all the same device so don't pay more than you have to.