Hot chocolate is one of the most delicious drinks ever created. There’s nothing like snuggling up with your friends and family to enjoy a hot cup of chocolate. But what if you want to go outside and take in the snow’s beauty? Your hot chocolate will soon become cold.
The following ways are how to keep hot chocolate warm without electricity by using a Crockpot, a stainless steel double-walled thermos, an igloo cooler, a thermos coffee carafe, a coffee dispenser with a pump, or even a plain styrofoam cup. When it’s cold outside, these items will help keep hot chocolate warm.
Whether you’re keeping your hot chocolate warm for a neighborhood activity or simply don’t want your fingers to freeze off while playing in the snow, these methods will keep your hot chocolate warm for as long as you need it.
History
Since its invention in Mexico, hot chocolate has been a staple. The origins of hot chocolate can be traced back to 500 BC. The Mayans popularized hot chocolate by combining ground cocoa seeds, cornmeal, chili peppers, and hot water. This may not sound like the most delicious thing in the world, but it is the basis for all of the hot chocolate recipes we know and love today.
When the conquistador Hernan Cortez brought cocoa beans to Europe in the 1500s, he ignited a revolution that would forever alter hot chocolate. In Spain, the drink became popular among the upper class. The drink was served hot, sweetened, and without chili peppers.
It eventually made its way to Holland, where the cocoa beans were ground into cocoa powder, which allowed it to mix better with water or milk. It was a simple matter to add sugar and make milk chocolate from there. As a result, it evolved into the tasty treat that is now a part of many outdoor activities such as ice skating or sitting around a winter bonfire.
How to keep hot chocolate warm without electricity
1. Using a Crockpot
A Crockpot, such as this one from Amazon, is a great way to keep your hot chocolate warm while you’re out and about. This versatile cookware is capable of a wide range of tasks. You can use it to keep your hot chocolate warm or to make the drink directly in the Crockpot. One of the only disadvantages of a Crockpot is that it requires an electrical outlet.
Your Crockpot will be useless without an electrical outlet. Another consideration when using a Crockpot is the mess. You cannot simply pour hot chocolate into the cup you are using. To serve it, you’ll need to use a ladle of some kind. If you are inexperienced, these can be quite messy.
If you want to serve hot chocolate to a large group of people, this is probably one of the better options. A large Crockpot, such as this one, can hold approximately 10 quartz (320 oz) of any liquid. One packet of instant hot chocolate mix yields approximately 8 ounces of hot chocolate.
This means that a large Crockpot can accommodate approximately 40 servings, give or take. It also has a constant source of heat, whereas other methods simply try to contain the heat that is already present. If you want more personalized options, there are better ways to serve hot chocolate.
Your hot chocolate will stay warm in the Crockpot. Most Crockpots have a low setting of around 190°F (87° Celsius), and most hot drinks are served at around 180°F (82° Celsius). Keep your Crockpot on this setting as much as possible.
Most Crockpots have a high setting of around 300°F (148° Celsius). This is far too hot for anyone to drink and will almost certainly burn their mouth. Not to mention that the high heat will denature the chocolate, preventing you from enjoying a great-tasting drink.
2. Using Thermos Stainless Steel Double-Walled
One of the most useful inventions for the working person is the stainless steel double-walled thermos. It has allowed people to get their cup of coffee while it is still hot. A stainless steel double-walled thermos will keep your hot chocolate warm while it is exposed to cold outside temperatures.
This method of keeping your hot chocolate warm is most likely suitable for you and a friend. If you want to serve it to a large group of people, this will be ineffective. A standard thermos holds 24 oz. A packet of hot chocolate mix yields 8 ounces of hot chocolate, enough for three servings in a standard double-walled thermos.
These double-walled thermoses are a little mysterious. They keep your drink warm, but how do they do it? You’ll understand it a lot better after a quick lesson in thermodynamics. Conduction is the process by which heat spreads through objects, but it only occurs when two objects come into contact. Ice cubes are a good example of this. When you hold an ice cube in your hand, your hand becomes cold and the ice cube begins to melt. This is due to the heat from your hand transferring to the ice cube and causing it to melt. This is how the induction process works.
The effects of conduction are countered by stainless steel double-walled thermoses like this one-gallon jug. That is what the vacuum-sealed portion of the thermos does. It is sealed in the thermos so that it does not come into contact with anything else, allowing the heat to remain in the hot chocolate. This alone will keep your hot chocolate warm for up to 6 hours. Induction should allow no heat to escape, resulting in high-quality hot chocolate that is easy to drink.
3. Using Pumped Coffee Dispenser
In an autumn park, a happy young woman drinks hot chocolate from a thermos or tumbler.
A coffee dispenser with a pump is another excellent way to keep your hot chocolate warm. These dispensers are frequently found in hotels and other places where a large number of people enter and exit. They are insulated to keep your beverages warm. Unfortunately, they will not keep your hot chocolate drink warm indefinitely. These guys will keep your beverage warm for a maximum of 8 hours. This should be enough for most events and locations, but if you need the drink to stay hot for longer, simply replace the leftover hot chocolate with freshly prepared hot chocolate.
A standard-sized coffee dispenser with a pump holds approximately 102 ounces of liquid. This means a dispenser like this can hold 12.5 cups of hot chocolate. If you’re planning a large-scale event, this may not be the best container for you. The disadvantage of these dispensers is that you will need to refill the container every 12 people. If you’re at a low-key event with a small crowd, this may be the best way to keep your hot chocolate warm outside.
4. Using Igloo Cooler
Large, round coolers have been around for quite some time. They are typically found near sporting events, construction sites, or any other location where there are a large number of thirsty people. Traditionally used to keep liquids cool rather than hot, these coolers also work well to keep things warm. However, if you need to keep this hot chocolate warm for an extended period of time, proceed with caution. Because these coolers are not designed to keep things warm, some heat will escape over time.
The disadvantage of these round igloos coolers is that they can only keep liquids hot for about 4 hours. Following that, you will notice a significant drop in the temperature of your beverage.
A large, round igloo cooler can hold approximately 5 gallons. This weighs 640 oz. A single packet of hot chocolate mix yields approximately 8 oz of hot chocolate beverages. This means that a 5-gallon Igloo cooler can accommodate approximately 80 servings.
This is a great way to keep a large amount of hot chocolate warm for a short period of time. This container will be most effective for youth groups and other types of events that serve a large number of people in a short period of time.
5. Using Thermos Coffee Carafe
A thermos coffee carafe is an excellent container for hot chocolate. Look at this one on Amazon. These were created with the intention of keeping things hot. They look like regular coffee pots you’d find in any diner, but they’re insulated to keep your hot chocolate warm. One disadvantage is that they are not obvious. Shaking the pot will alert you when it’s time to replenish the hot chocolate within. There’s no other way to put it! If you need to keep something hot for an extended period of time, these guys should keep your hot chocolate warm for up to 12 hours.
Thermos coffee carafes are on the small side. You should be able to find an average of 64oz. This means that a thermos coffee carafe can accommodate approximately 8.5 servings of hot chocolate. This is insufficient hot chocolate for a large group. If you’re having a small get-together with a few friends, this carafe will suffice. If you’re serving a large group of people hot chocolate, consider using a different container.
6. Using Styrofoam Cups
This is the traditional method for keeping any liquid hot. When you’re out and about, Styrofoam cups are a great way to keep your hot chocolate warm. These cups have been around for a long time and will most likely be around for a long time to come. If all you want is something to keep your beverage hot, you’ve found the right container.
Styrofoam cups are excellent for keeping things insulated and warm for about 30 minutes. They are effective, but not as effective as an actual heated container or even a thermos at keeping things warm. They will also keep your hands relatively warm if you are outside in the freezing cold. If you clasp your hands around the cup, the heat from the liquid will seep into your hands.
All of the options listed above are excellent choices for keeping your hot chocolate warm before serving. The styrofoam cup will keep the hot chocolate warm long enough for it to be served and consumed.
Most styrofoam cups are designed to hold a single serving of hot chocolate from a packet. The disadvantage is that if that’s all you have, you may have to refill it several times before you’ve had your fill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to drink hot chocolate that has been left out overnight?
Hot chocolate is one of the most delectable beverages on the planet. Can you, however, drink it from the mug after it has been left out overnight? Yes, the answer is yes! You can drink hot chocolate that has been left out overnight, but there are a few things to consider.
To begin, do not leave it for more than 12 hours. If you leave it out for any longer period of time, bacteria may grow inside your mug and make you sick.
Second, if you notice mold growing on the surface of your drink, do not consume it! If you do, the mold will most likely kill you. Throw away your mug and start over with a fresh batch of hot chocolate.
Finally (and most importantly), if your drink begins to look like this: dots or cracks on the surface, it is likely that it has gone stale.
How Long Does Hot Chocolate Last?
A few factors influence the answer to this question. First and foremost, the hot chocolate you have will have an impact on its shelf life.
Homemade hot chocolate, for example, will last longer than store-bought hot cocoa mix. Homemade hot chocolate is also richer and thicker in consistency, so it lasts longer than thinner varieties like Nestle’s Quik.
Second, the way you store your hot chocolate affects its shelf life. If you keep your hot chocolate in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge, it will last longer than if you leave it out on the counter in an uncovered bowl or mug.
Air exposure can cause the moisture in your hot cocoa mix to evaporate more quickly, causing it to spoil sooner. Finally, the temperature of your home will affect how quickly hot chocolate spoils—the higher the temperature (above 70°F), the faster it will deteriorate.
Does Hot Chocolate Need To Be Refrigerated?
Yes and no, respectively. Because bacteria can easily contaminate milk, hot chocolate made with milk should always be refrigerated. You don’t have to worry about contamination if you make hot chocolate from scratch with cocoa powder and water.
Having said that, there are still reasons why you should chill your hot chocolate. If you live in a warm climate or store your hot chocolate in a warm place (such as on top of the stove), it may spoil faster than if you refrigerate it.
Finally, if you make a large batch of hot chocolate for a party or other gathering, keep the leftovers cold to avoid being watered down by melting ice cream or other melted ingredients.
Which Are the Best Hot Chocolates to Drink?
When it comes to hot chocolate, you have a lot of options. But which is the most effective?
We conducted some research to learn what people thought about their favorite hot chocolates. Here’s what we discovered:
- Milky 50% hot chocolate drink from Hotel Chocolat
- 70% flaked dark chocolate Chococo
- Bettys Dark Swiss Hot Chocolate
- Pump Street hot chocolate
- Hot chocolate from The Spice Kitchen
- Organic hot chocolate from Green & Black
- Single-origin drinking chocolate in bulk
Is it better to drink hot chocolate with milk or water?
People commonly drink hot chocolate with milk, but it turns out that hot chocolate tastes even better when made with water instead!
The reason for this is straightforward:
Water contains no fat, so if you’re trying to lose weight or keep your heart healthy, drinking hot chocolate made with water can help you get there!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several options on how to keep hot chocolate warm without electricity. I’ve listed them above for you to use as you see fit.
While there are more extreme ways to enjoy hot chocolate, I’ve found that the best way to consume it is in an insulated mug, especially if you’re going to drink it soon.
Although some people believe that these outside methods reduce the taste and feel of the drink, they do not.
Related Articles: