Fondue Pot Buying Guide
So Many Things Taste Great Dipped in Cheese or Chocolate!
Fondue 
is a traditional Swiss dish that blends a bland cheese and sharp cheese with white wine, flour, and garlic. The dish is shared by using long forks to dip pieces of baguette (French bread) in the cheese mixture that is kept in the center of the table. Traditionally, it is kept warm in an earthenware pot with a flame underneath the pot. Fondue pots can be used for making:
- Chocolate and Dessert Fondues
- Need minimum amounts of heat, and usually a small pot.
- Look for a thick pot that witholds the heat and won't burn the chocolate.
- Cheese Fondues
- Wide and shallow earthenware pots are the traditional style of pot, intended for cheese fondue.
- Earthenware pots can also be used for dessert dishes.
- Oil and Broth Fondues (for cooking seafood and/or meats)
- Enameled coated cast iron is the best material for this type of fondue because it can handle high heat. Stainless steel and copper pots are popular as well.
- Choose a deep pot that is best for keeping the hot oil contained.
When Shopping, Look for Fondue Convenience
- Set up a fondue night without hassle using a fondue set.
- It comes with all the tools necessary for a fun fondue night with friends: the pot, stand, fondue forks (4-6 is standard, and color coded forks eliminate confusion), a burner, and fuel.
- Splatter guards are handy when fonduing meats.
- Lazy Susan serving trays are a nice touch for organizing condiments and sauces, but not a necessity.
- Enamel coated pots will make cleanup a breeze because you can put them in the dishwasher. It also enables stick-free cooking.
- Consider purchasing two fondue pots. Then you can have one going with cheese (perfect for the vegetarians) and another for hot oil or broth (for all the carnivores). Afterwards the cheese pot can be used for dessert.
- Cost is directly related to quality and warranty.
- Additional features that come with the fondue pot or set as well as the fondue pot's capacity.
- Pots for cooking meats need to be more durable and larger (up to 6 cups), so they will cost more ($50-$100). A top of the line fondue pot will provide all around enjoyment for years upon years of fonduing all types of food.
- If all you want to do is fondue chocolate or cheese, stick to a smaller, less expensive model ($20-$50).
Types of Fondue Pots
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Electric Fondue Pots - This model is a good tool for beginners and anyone who wants a pot that does not require a lot of thought or effort.
- This pot plugs right into the wall, has temperature control dial, and can handle all 3 varieties of fondue.
- Electric pots are easy to use, safe, and fool proof, but if you are a fondue purist you should stick to the traditional earthen ware and open flame variety.
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Butane and Alcohol Fueled Fondue Pots - These models require butane fuels that are adjustable and can cook all 3 types of fondue. You can put them anywhere because there is no need for a cord.
- The replacement canisters can be bought at local hardware stores.
- The butane is safe and odorless.
- Similar to butane is alcohol fuel (denaturated or isopropyl), which has all the same benefits of butane, but does leave a residual odor in the air.
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Sterno Fueled Fondue Pots - The gel fuels are independent tins of fuel that can heat a pot for cheese or dessert fondues.
- Before using a gel fuel or Sterno in a tin, you must make sure that there is adequate clearance between the flame and the pot.
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Tea Light Pots - Tea-lights are a great and cheap way to keep chocolate or other dessert fondues warm after heating them either on the stovetop, oven, or in the microwave.
- These candles are not powerful enough for cheese or oil/broth fondues.
- But if you plan on only making dessert the tea-lights and an earthenware fondue pot should do the trick.
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A Note on Etiquette
- Never let the fondue fork touch your tongue or mouth. Since fondue is a sharing dish, it is unsanitary and impolite to slobber on the forks and stick them back in the pot. Unless you want the whole dish to yourself. Then, by all means, go ahead.
- Your best bet with friends and family who aren't so well acquainted with one another is to offer each guest their own plate and bowl.
Major Manufacturers
Related Products
External Links
- About.com - Many links to recipes for all kinds of fondue.
