Whether it is Valentine’s Day or Christmas, there is nothing more romantic than having a pot of melted cheese or chocolate and sharing it with your loved ones. Using fondue pots is an intimate and entertaining way to socialize. What could be more fun and intimate than dipping tidbits into a fondue pot of hot cheese or chocolate?

Fondue refers to a Swiss communal dish. In French, the word means “to melt”.  It originated in Switzerland and was made popular in the United States in the 1950’s.

Before buying one, there are several things to keep in mind. Today, while there are several sets to choose from, deciding which to choose may be a difficult task. These sets can be categorized into three types: cheese, chocolate and meat.  No matter which set you choose, it will include forks, a stand, a pot, and a heat source.

Depending on its intended use, you can choose from fondue pots warmed by fuel, candle, or with electricity. If you are using it for chocolate and cheese, then candle and fuel burners are the best choices. Fuel based heat source utilizes denatured alcohol and some other types of liquid fuel. Pots that are fuel based are a great option as they, in most cases, allow you to control the heat. This avoids scorching of the food. Fuel based pots made from ceramic allows better distribution of heat, thus making your cooking easier. However, if you are using it for meat that needs intense heat for proper cooking, then it is ideal to buy an electric pot. Electric based pots work best for hot oil or meat fondue because the temperature is easier to control and they are easier to clean.

When choosing a pot, you need to decide first which type of fondue you want to prepare and pay attention to the pot materials. Fondue pots made of glazed ceramic are easier to clean and are ideal for chocolates.  You can also choose those with adjustable flame butane sources so you can adjust the flame down conveniently. You also need a thicker pot to hold the heat without burning the contents.

For cheese fondues, unglazed pots made of ceramic and with a butane heat source are ideal. Unglazed surface enhances the flavor of the cheese when mixed with other ingredients such as wine. For meat, you need a pot that can withstand intense heat. Copper or stainless steel pots are best for meat. Also choose a pot that has a slotted spatter guard because cooking meat in oil tends to spatter the oil.  You can also choose cast-iron pot. Although this takes more time to heat up, the best thing about this option is that it holds the temperature at a steady rate. This can make cooking of meat or vegetables easier.

Also consider the fondue pot accessories you need. For example, if you want meat fondues, keep in mind that meat is usually served with sauces. You can buy a set with sauce dishes that can be easily passed among your party guests.

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