An Overview of the Best Coffee Machines For Making Hot Chocolate

Quick summary

Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup

Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup

An affordable and reliable brewer with various convenient features and a thermal carafe to keep your chocolate hot for a prolonged time.

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5
best overall
Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker

Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker

A brewer for the whole family that will keep drinks fresh for hours due to the in-built heater.

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4.5
Cuisinart CHW-12 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Cuisinart CHW-12 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

A truly great find with a host of useful settings, automated processes, and a large capacity carafe, and all of this for a good price.

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4.5

What do you do when you want great coffee at home without going anywhere for it? You buy a coffee machine, of course. And if you want some hot chocolate, you… buy a hot chocolate machine? Sure, if you have money to buy a machine for each specific drink and space to place them all. You guessed it right, though, there’s a simpler (and cheaper) solution.

Luckily, there are affordable machines that have been designed to make a variety of drinks. Below, we have listed those models that have proven to be the most suitable for the task. And by scrolling even further down, you will see our brief tips on what matters in a device you plan to use for making both coffee and chocolate drinks.

The List of Top Electric Machines for Hot Chocolate

Aicok Single Serve K-cup Coffee Maker

Aicok Single Serve K-cup Coffee Maker

  • Product Dimensions: 10.12 x 5.51 x 10.75 inches
  • Item Weight: 2.2 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Aicok
  • Compatible for most single cup pods
  • Light weight and compact design
  • Shuts off automatically when brewing cycle is finished, for safety and energy efficiency

A compact single-serve model will provide you with a hot cup of the desired drink in just three minutes.

As one can deduce from its name, this machine uses coffee pods. So, the final drink depends on the k-cups you have and load into it. It also can serve only one cup at a time, which allowed making it very lightweight and mobile.

We will not consider the absence of a grinder or a hopper for ground beans a disadvantage because clearly, not everyone needs those, so it’s also nice when you can buy a product without any unnecessary features. Here, the intention was clearly to make a hot chocolate coffee maker that is easy to use, clean, and move. Cleaning a removable drip pad and a water tank is all the maintenance you will have to do with this machine.

There is a single button to start brewing, and you only need to push it for heating to start. Afterward, the machine will turn off automatically, so you don’t have to bother about it while enjoying your hot chocolate or coffee.

So, if k-cups are your preferred way of brewing and you want a simple and reliable machine, this is the perfect solution. It will also be easy to pack so that you can get your fresh drip coffee or hot chocolate where you’re heading.

Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Coffeemaker

Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Coffeemaker

  • Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 13.11 x 14.33 inches
  • Item Weight: 5.1 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Mr. Coffee
  • Removable water reservoir for easy filling
  • Just Brewed thermal carafe holds temperature and fresh flavor

An affordable and reliable brewer with various convenient features and a thermal carafe to keep your chocolate hot for a prolonged time.

There are several defining features about this machine, and you can see it means business. Its steel look lets you know that it’s meant to be durable and perfectly fit any office or kitchen. The impression that it’s designed for a company is supported by the fact that you can get 10 cups of freshly brewed drinks with it. The double-wall carafe made from stainless steel is a good reason to consider this model the best coffee maker for hot chocolate. You can enjoy your hot cup without any haste and get another serving in a while, and it still will be hot thanks to the thermal pitcher. It also helps that the beans are initially brewed at a higher temperature than in most other models.

The device has its own system for filtering water, and you will also be notified when it’s time to run the cleaning cycle. Other features include setting the time when you want the machine to start brewing, as well as the freshness timer that will tell you how much time has passed since the drink became ready. As for shutting off, you can do it manually by pushing the button or leave the machine to do it itself after two hours.

Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker

Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker

  • Product Dimensions: 16 x 11.5 x 9.5 inches
  • Item Weight: 8.3 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Hamilton Beach
  • Adjustable brewing with bold, regular and 1-4 cup options
  • Programmable clock with 2 hour automatic shutoff

A brewer for the whole family that will keep drinks fresh for hours due to the in-built heater.

The main feature of this machine is the enclosed brewing unit and a heater that keep coffee at an optimal drinking temperature for up to 4 hours, turning it into an ideal hot chocolate maker machine. The taste is also preserved for this period of time, there are no hints of a burnt flavor.

With most other machines, the liquid would commonly be poured into a carafe from which you then pour it again into cups. The carafe would then be heated from the bottom by a warming plate. Obviously, all those actions are less effective than keeping the liquid inside of the brewer, where it’s heated more efficiently, and then dispensing it directly into a cup.

There are also several brewing options and programmable functions for a more convenient experience. You can program the machine to make you hot chocolate for when you wake up or any other time within 24 hours.

The internal tank, as well as the water reservoir and the brew hopper, can be easily removed for cleaning.

Capresso 202.04 Automatic Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker

Capresso 202.04 Automatic Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker

  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 5 x 7 inches
  • Item Weight: 3 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Capresso
  • Illuminated controls for selecting cold, hot or warm
  • Provides maximum milk froth with minimal effort

A small, simple, and elegant device specifically made for hot cocoa appreciators.

So far, we have been reviewing machines that can make both drip coffee and hot chocolate for you. But what if you already have a coffee brewer or prefer some other way of making it? Well, then, this is the perfect solution for some quick cocoa drink that also won’t take too much space in your kitchen and can easily be hidden away when not in use. Oh, and it’s still meant for other things too, milk, specifically, which can also be added into other drinks like cappuccino, latte, etc.

This hot cocoa maker machine has three modes, hot, warm, or cold, and obviously, in our case, we need the first one. The other ones can be used to simply heat milk without frothing or froth it without warming it, and other combinations are available. Whether the machine will work as a heater or a frother is determined by the type of disk that is currently installed, a heating or frothing one. When not used, they can be conveniently stored under the machine in special pockets.

The machine turns off once it completes its task, and there’s not much else to say about it. It’s a great deal that comes with several application scenarios.

Secura 4-in-1 Electric Automatic Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker Machine

Secura 4-in-1 Electric Automatic Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker Machine

  • Package Dimensions: 9.02 x 6.57 x 6.57 inches
  • Item Weight: 2.9 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Secura
  • Stainless-steel milk cafe has a proper jug spout which means you can pour without splashing
  • Turns 250ml milk into creamy foam, twice the capacity of a basic milk frother

A multifunctional machine with a 17 oz stainless steel jug that offers an exceptionally simple process of milk frothing and making hot chocolate.

This frother is very similar to the one above it, the main visible difference being its size. With it, you can produce even more hot chocolate at once. It can also be used for three other purposes, namely making hot milk foam, frothing cold milk, or simply heating milk, whether to add into other drinks or to drink it on its own.

There’s a single button to control all those options, but it’s easy to remember. Pressing once is for heating milk or making hot milk foam, depending on the disk used at the moment. To turn it into a chocolate making machine, you will have to press twice with the frothing disk installed. Pressing it for the third time will initiate frothing without warming the liquid.

When not in use, you can magnetically attach the other disk under the base so that you don’t lose it. The pitcher is equipped with a handle that stays cool despite all the heating, and the whole jug is dishwasher-friendly or can be simply rinsed with water.

Cuisinart CHW-12 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Cuisinart CHW-12 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

  • Product Dimensions: 10.25 x 9.5 x 14.3 inches
  • Item Weight: 10 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Cuisinart
  • 12-Cup Carafe with a drip-free pour spout and a comfortable handle

A truly great find with a host of useful settings, automated processes, and a large capacity carafe, and all of this for a good price.

Let’s not forget how our article is called, meaning we have to get back on track and introduce to you a couple more devices that are initially known as coffee machines but can just as well serve other drinks. If you are trying to find something that will satisfy your family members who have different preferences, this particular model is among the best hot chocolate machines for home. Or for office, for that matter, since it has a hot water dispenser that can be used to make tea while the brewing unit on the other side is busy making you a coffee drink or hot chocolate.

The machine comes with a display and a control panel that will allow you to adjust a lot of modes and parameters, as well as to program a delayed start and the temperature of the heating plate so that the drink inside the carafe stays pleasantly warm for as long as 4 hours.

At first, it may feel like there’s no end to things this machine can do as it also has a self-cleaning cycle, 1-4 cups brewing setting, two water filtration systems, brew pause, and whatever we have forgotten to mention.

Mega Cocina Single Serve Compact K-Cup Brewer

Mega Cocina Single Serve Compact K-Cup Brewer

  • Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.5 x 9.75 inches
  • Item Weight: 2.38 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Mega Cocina
  • BPA-FREE water tank has 12 ounce/360 milliliter capacity
  • Brew directly into your favorite mug or remove the drip tray to fit your travel mug

A comfortably-sized machine that brings joy with its quick and straightforward brewing process.

What better way to finish our list of hot chocolate machines than by reviewing a similar model to the one that opened it? Meet an alternative brewer that is perfect for travel due to its small size and weight. It also has no other functions than brewing you beverages from K-cups and other compatible pods.

The machine makes one cup at a time, but it’s useful to know that it can fill taller mugs as well. The tank holds enough water with its 12 ounces, but you may find it difficult to fit a cup under the nozzle. Well, it shouldn’t be once you remove the drip tray, getting extra space.

As you can guess, its pros are also its cons, meaning that it will be perfect for those who like hot chocolate from pods, prefer to travel with their own brewer, and don’t get irritated by having to refill the tank to get another cup. Luckily, for those who have other preferences and demands, we have listed other variations that should be enough to cover the most common desires.

How to get the Best Coffee Machine for Making Hot Chocolate

Rephrasing the classic quote, there cannot be only one. Which is why we have created this list of top suggestions rather than naming one machine that would satisfy everyone. You will undoubtedly be guided by your personal preferences, but we would like to cover some unprejudiced parameters.

Pods vs. Powder

There are two basic ways you can make hot chocolate with the use of machines, and they are pods (capsules, K-cups) and powder aka cocoa mix. It’s possible, of course, to even grind the beans yourself and prepare your own mixes if you have the necessary ingredients and tools. In the end, however, you will still be using it in the machine that is designed for powder, so we’re not counting it as a separate method.

It’s also not the question of which chocolate maker is better, the one that uses pods or a chocolate mix. When you’re using a mix, especially one you made yourself, you have more control over it and freedom to experiment with the tastes you get. However, if you don’t feel like it but rather just put a capsule inside and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate a couple of minutes later, then you have already answered the question.

The Type of Chocolate to Use

If you are going to buy pre-made mixes, don’t be confused by their variety. Sure, the best way to find out the tastiest ones is by tasting them. However, you can check their contents to anticipate the taste you will get.

A mix that has a large amount of chocolate in it should have a rich and genuine taste. The cocoa butter inclusion also contributes to this effect. A cocoa mix, on the other hand, has less fat, but you will also hardly get a defined aroma of hot chocolate with it. Nevertheless, you can compare, for example, Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa and Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa mixes. See whether you like your drink smooth and velvety or rich in flavor.

Conclusion

Consider how often you want to drink hot chocolate and who else may join you. That should hint at the capacity you will be looking for. If you already own a coffee machine, think whether it will be enough to buy a single-cup frother (like those offered by Capresso or Secura) or get a different model that will combine all those desired features in one. Mr. Coffee or Cuisinart may be the ultimate answer to your hot beverage needs.

Finally, if you like the simplicity K-cups offer, Aicok and Mega Cocina hot chocolate makers are ready to cheer you up despite their miniature nature. You can rely on multiple reviews and our own experience with all these machines and pick one that is most compatible with your expectations and budget.

Renat Mamatazin

Renat Mamatkazin

2021/12/13

Founder and owner of Lion Coffee and 3ChampsRoastery, 1st place winner of Ukrainian Barista Championship 2017. Interested in travelling, football and Formula-1 (besides coffee, of course).

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