Fondue Equipment – How to Choose a Fondue Pot

Choosing the Right Fondue Pot for Your Needs

Before hosting a fondue dinner, you have to ensure you have the right fondue equipment.

Having fondue is a fun and sociable event, but there is nothing that can ruin your evening as fast as having your fondue pot break under extreme heat or having your meal burn to the bottom of the pot.

So how can you prevent this?

By purchasing the right type of fondue equipment.

Each fondue pot has a purpose and this page will provide you with useful information to help you make an informed decision on the type of fondue pot you need.

The fondue pot shown above is the Artesia all-in-one Electric Fondue Pot
and it is suitable for hot oil, broth, and cheese fondue as well as chili, soup, and other warm appetizers.

Fondue Pots

When choosing fondue pots, if you want to buy one that will last you forever, I recommend that you stick to the reputable companies that have been making fondue equipment for years, like Swissmar, Trudeau, and Rival.

There are 4 main types of fondue pots:

• Cheese Fondue Pot.
  

  
  Swissmar makes excellent fondue pots for cheese fondue, like the Lugano 2-Quart, 9-Piece Cast Iron Cheese Fondue Set shown on the right.

  Cheese fondue equipment uses adjustable alcohol or gel fuel burner to maintain the constant temperature required to keep melted cheese from solidifying again.

  These pots are typically made of ceramic or earthenware, have a flat bottom and a large opening to accommodate dipping.

• Hot Oil/Broth Fondue Pot.
  
  
  
  

  Hot oil fondue pots, like the Kitchen Craft Artesà Deluxe Stainless Steel Swiss Fondue Set with Lazy Susan shown on the right, must be able to withstand very high temperatures without cracking in order to fully cook your meat.

  As such, these pots are made of stainless steel, copper, or cast iron.

  Note: ceramic pots are not suitable for hot oil fondue.

• Dessert/Chocolate Fondue Pot
  
  
  

  Chocolate or dessert fondue pots, like the this Chocolate Fondue Set shown on the right, are smaller than cheese or meat fondue pots.

  These pots use a tealight to keep the melted chocolate at the right temperature and are made of earthenware, ceramic, porcelain, or sometimes tempered glass. Of course, you can also buy a chocolate fountain if you want something a little more lively than a dessert fondue pot.

  Have a look at the Sephra Fondue Fountain – It’s the ultimate accessory for chocolate fondue lovers!

• Electric Fondue Set.
  
  

  In recent years, several electrical fondue pots like the Artesia Electric Fondue Set have become really popular.

  Most are versatile enough to be used for all types of fondue, and as such, are considered to be a great investment when it comes to buying fondue equipment.

  Plug it in, set the temperature, dip, and enjoy.

  You should fully research the product you are considering before spending your money.

  Make sure to look at the length of the power cord to ensure your nearest electrical outlet is close enough… (or use an extension cord.)

  Nice features to have are a detachable cord, long enough cord for your dining room, and dishwasher safe.

Read my reviews and recommendations for Rival fondue pots and fountains here.

Other Fondue Equipment

Of course, you will need more than a fondue pot to make your fondue night a success. Here is more information on other fondue equipment and supplies you will need:

• Fondue Fuel. You have to get the right type of fuel for the fondue pot you are using. Learn more about fondue fuels here.
• Fondue Burners. Your cheese or meat fondue set will come with a fondue burner. If you misplace it or break it, you can always replace it. Learn more about fondue burners, including how to light your burner safely here.
• Fondue Forks. You can choose disposable forks or reusable two-prong or three-prong forks. Learn more about fondue forks here.
• Fondue Plates. These plates are mainly used for meat fondue in broth or hot oil and have several compartments. Learn more about fondue plates here.
• Dipping Trays and Lazy Susans. Lazy Susans are special fondue sets that have a variety of small bowls around the fondue pot. These bowls are meant to hold the various fondue dips that you prepare for your guests when serving meat fondue in broth or hot oil.

If you’ve never hosted a fondue party, make sure to read more on proper fondue etiquette here.

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