Fondue has come back in style in a big way. No longer is it that groovy fad from the seventies, now it's a great way to add some fun to any dinner party. But in order to make fondue, you'll need a fondue pot. Here are some things to consider when buying a fondue pot.
You should know what kind of fondue you plan on making before buying a fondue pot. Not only is there the popular cheese fondue but there's also chocolate fondue and hot oil or broth fondue. Not all fondue pots are designed to make all types of fondue dinners. It would be best to pick up a fondue recipe book and figure out what you'd like to make before buying a fondue pot.
Those old fashioned fondue pots with a small tea light candle underneath them are cute but not very effective at melting cheese. If you get one of those, you'll have to heat your ingredients on the stove and then move them into the fondue pot on the dinner table. The best way to go is an electric hot pot. Just turn the dial and it heats up. No open flame to worry about and even the most stubborn chocolate will melt nicely in an electric fondue pot.
When buying a fondue pot you should also worry about safety. Many pots are made now with a magnetic connector that is designed to snap apart in case someone trips over the cord. There's nothing worse than a pot full of hot cheese all over your dinner guests. Same goes with electric fondue pots over one with an open flame light a tea light. Setting your guests on fire is never a good idea at a dinner party.
Having the right amount of fondue forks is always important. If you only have four forks, then you can only have four guests. Try to find a fondue pot that not only comes with forks but also try to find one that comes with at least six of them. Otherwise you'll have to buy a separate set of fondue forks and you'll probably worry about the new set matching the old set and just wind up spending too much money on something as silly as forks.
If you want to cook hot oil fondue or broth fondue, you'll need some control over how hot the fondue pot is getting. An electronic thermostat is the easiest possible way to do this. If the recipe requires that the oil be heated to 350 degrees fahrenheit, then you would just turn the dial to 350. It doesn't get easier than that. Otherwise you'll have to break out a thermometer and have to adjust the heat up and down to maintain the correct cooking temperature.
A non stick coating is important too. Melted cheese is pretty sticky so unless you enjoy cleaning your fondue pot for days at a time, I'd go with a non stick surface.
The best way to clean up a fondue pot is not to have to do anything at all. And the only way that a fondue pot would clean itself is in the dishwasher. A dishwasher safe fondue pot is a dream come true.
Another nice to have feature is the cool touch handle. It probably isn't a great idea to try and move a hot fondue pot but in case you have to, you're going to want a handle that doesn't get hot. Of course you could always use an oven mitt to accomplish the same thing so don't fret if the pot that's on sale doesn't have this feature. You can skip it.
And be sure to pick up a stainless steel pot if you plan on cooking hot oil or broth fondue. They make ceramic pots especially for use with chocolate fondue but please do not ever fill one up with hot oil and heat it up. That's a disaster waiting to happen because a ceramic pot will crack if it gets too hot.
If you buy a new fondue pot at the store or online, if you make sure that it has at least of a few of these features, you'll be on your way to making an enjoyable fondue meal.
You should know what kind of fondue you plan on making before buying a fondue pot. Not only is there the popular cheese fondue but there's also chocolate fondue and hot oil or broth fondue. Not all fondue pots are designed to make all types of fondue dinners. It would be best to pick up a fondue recipe book and figure out what you'd like to make before buying a fondue pot.
Those old fashioned fondue pots with a small tea light candle underneath them are cute but not very effective at melting cheese. If you get one of those, you'll have to heat your ingredients on the stove and then move them into the fondue pot on the dinner table. The best way to go is an electric hot pot. Just turn the dial and it heats up. No open flame to worry about and even the most stubborn chocolate will melt nicely in an electric fondue pot.
When buying a fondue pot you should also worry about safety. Many pots are made now with a magnetic connector that is designed to snap apart in case someone trips over the cord. There's nothing worse than a pot full of hot cheese all over your dinner guests. Same goes with electric fondue pots over one with an open flame light a tea light. Setting your guests on fire is never a good idea at a dinner party.
Having the right amount of fondue forks is always important. If you only have four forks, then you can only have four guests. Try to find a fondue pot that not only comes with forks but also try to find one that comes with at least six of them. Otherwise you'll have to buy a separate set of fondue forks and you'll probably worry about the new set matching the old set and just wind up spending too much money on something as silly as forks.
If you want to cook hot oil fondue or broth fondue, you'll need some control over how hot the fondue pot is getting. An electronic thermostat is the easiest possible way to do this. If the recipe requires that the oil be heated to 350 degrees fahrenheit, then you would just turn the dial to 350. It doesn't get easier than that. Otherwise you'll have to break out a thermometer and have to adjust the heat up and down to maintain the correct cooking temperature.
A non stick coating is important too. Melted cheese is pretty sticky so unless you enjoy cleaning your fondue pot for days at a time, I'd go with a non stick surface.
The best way to clean up a fondue pot is not to have to do anything at all. And the only way that a fondue pot would clean itself is in the dishwasher. A dishwasher safe fondue pot is a dream come true.
Another nice to have feature is the cool touch handle. It probably isn't a great idea to try and move a hot fondue pot but in case you have to, you're going to want a handle that doesn't get hot. Of course you could always use an oven mitt to accomplish the same thing so don't fret if the pot that's on sale doesn't have this feature. You can skip it.
And be sure to pick up a stainless steel pot if you plan on cooking hot oil or broth fondue. They make ceramic pots especially for use with chocolate fondue but please do not ever fill one up with hot oil and heat it up. That's a disaster waiting to happen because a ceramic pot will crack if it gets too hot.
If you buy a new fondue pot at the store or online, if you make sure that it has at least of a few of these features, you'll be on your way to making an enjoyable fondue meal.
About the Author:
Once you buy a Fondue Pot you're going to need a few fondue recipes. Visit GoFondue.com for many delicious fondue recipes today.
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