Back to Basics CM300BR Cocoa-Latte Chrome 32-Ounce Hot-Drink Maker
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Back to Basics CM300BR Cocoa-Latte Chrome 32-Ounce Hot-Drink Maker
Customer Review: Love it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I really like this item, and I'm glad I was finally able to find it here. It's incredibly easy to use, and it comes with a booklet full of yummy recipes. So far, I've only used it to make hot cocoa, mochas, & chai tea lattes, but they've all turned out well. My fave easy recipe is: Fill to the 8 oz. line with milk, add a packet of hot chocolate mix, add a packet of instant coffee, and a spoonful of caramel syrup or flavored liquor.
The only downside to this, is that the top doesn't come off of the base for easier washing, and that there is always some residue stuck to the bottom of the pitcher (where the heating element is, I presume) that takes some extra scrubbing. Other than that, washing it isn't too bad, since I only use it every couple of days. I just add hot soapy water to the pitcher, let it stand for a few minutes, then scrub the pitcher (especially the bottom where the residue is), rinse it (be sure to let some clean water flow through the spigot to clean it, if you don't want to take the spigot apart each time), and throw it in the dish drainer for the next use.
Customer Review: Makes the dog bark!
Summary: 2 Stars
I should have listened to the other reviews!
Point 1. This machine is not only just "noisy", it CONTINUES to be loud, intermittently! Picture this: You are sipping your hot drink while reading the newspaper, relaxed, the house quiet, when like a knife cutting the silence, a loud grinding sound flies from the kitchen, your dog starts howling & barking, you jump and relaxation is out the window! It "recycles" as long as you leave it on.
Point 2. It took me TWO cycles (20 minutes) before the stuff was hot enough for me. I like beverages to be as hot as coffee.
Point 3. Take out your best scrubber & roll up your sleeves!! For every use, you have to scrub the thick coating off the bottom of the non-immersable pitcher PLUS totally take apart the spout, clean it & put it back together (it has 5 parts). Hope you have time for this!
Point 4. Froth? What froth? That's froth?? Stirring my drink with a spoon makes it look like that.
Final analysis: I can make the same thing in the microwave with less cleanup.
Customer Review: Mine have all the issues!
Summary: 3 Stars
First, I love it--even with its issues.
I have two. The second I bought in case the first died.
Issues with the first: flaking paint off of the metal mixing blade,
spigot broke, can't fill up to line as beverage leaks out of the top, chocolate melts into metal floor of container making it difficult to clean.
This one does get the beverage hot enough,however.
Issues with the second one: doesn't heat up to get beverages hot enough (have to microwave after), spigot broke, can't fill up to line as beverage leaks out of the top, chocolate melts into metal floor of container making it difficult to clean.
This one has a new plasic/rubber blade that doesn't have flaky paint.
Another minus for both--you need a Q-tip to clean the small hole from the carafe to the spigot.
I still love this but need to get another spigot. The first broke right off and the second is leaking. At least the motors haven't failed or melted any parts.
Using this, I like my coffee better than anything store bought.
Customer Review: Love it!
Summary: 5 Stars
Our whole family loves it! When my husband first saw it he remarked "what do you need that for" After I saw him refill his cup last weekend I said "so I guess you like it". It makes 4 nice size cups, which is perfect for my family. I just fill with milk up to the line how many cups I want to make and put in the chocolate mix. turn it on and in about 4 mins. or so it is heated. The machine will stop mixing when it's done, but will remix every few minutes until you turn it off. This is nice because it keeps it evenly warm until you are ready for it. I use stephen milk chocolate powder mix and 1% milk and it tastes great! Very creamy. I have used skim milk too but I don't think it froths up as much and isn't as creamy. Also, not hard to clean it you do it right after you are done with it. The temperature is perfect for me. My husband finds that it's a little hot but then again he will food that is still cold in the middle.
This is a great buy for anyone who loves hot chocolate!
Customer Review: FUN Winter-weather Appliance
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading the various reviews for this brand of hot chocolate machine I bought the Grande (60 oz) machine for a special winter event my company was hosting. What a great decision! First snowfall of the year, customers were streaming in & met with a Perfect Temperature cup of hot chocolate! Perfectly mixes cold milk & powder hot chocolate, fun frothing feature, and truly reheats mixture to the perfect temperature as needed - without supervision. After making two big batches and 3 hours of operation, cleaning the heating plate of baked-on chocolate took a few minutes with a Dobie - a small price to pay.
I'd bought a snazzier model by a different maker in the smaller size for home use (at twice the cost of the big one). We really missed the dispenser tap and automatic reheat features of the Back to Basics brand. After only one use, we ditched that one and bought this one. We're pleased to say this little guy is perfect for countertop use & comes with all the features of the Grande.