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Whether you fancy cheese, chocolate, veggies, or meat, one of the most enjoyable ways to cook and consume food is by dipping it into a fondue pot. The practice has become so popular that there are restaurant chains devoted solely to this cooking style. However, if you'd like to make fondue at home, it's actually quite easy. All you need is an electric fondue set.
An electric fondue set includes not only the fondue pot but also a set of fondue forks. Some sets also come with fondue plates and a serving bowl. A pot with a wide range of consistent temperature settings is best. And you'll want an electric fondue set that has a detachable plug, so it's easier to clean, and cool-touch handles, so you don't get burned.
If you'd like to learn more about electric fondue sets and how to use them safely, keep reading. If you’re ready to purchase, consider one of the highly rated models we've spotlighted in this article, such as the Cuisinart Fondue Pot Set.
Editors’ Favorite
Material: Stainless steel | Power Source: Power cord | Capacity: 3 qt | Number of Forks: 8 | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
Whether you prefer cheese, chocolate or oil fondue, the Cuisinart Fondue Pot Set makes it easy to enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home. It features a 1,000-watt heating element and an adjustable temperature probe that quickly melts ingredients in both oil- and broth-based recipes. Its eight temperature settings allow it to prepare a wide range of dishes, too, including meat main courses and desserts.
With a 3-quart pot, the set can make enough fondue for large families or dinner parties. It includes eight fondue forks, but depending on the recipe used, it’s large enough to serve eight or more people. It also comes with a fork rack for a mess-free fondue experience, as well as a recipe booklet to help inspire you.
However, one of our favorite features of this Cuisinart fondue set is how easy it is to clean. The pot is made of stainless steel but has a nonstick interior that readily releases food and residue, and it’s even dishwasher-safe for stress-free cleaning. Cuisinart also stands behind the set with a three-year limited warranty, so you’re protected if any issues arise due to defects in the materials or workmanship.
Great Value
Material: Stainless steel | Power Source: Power cord | Capacity: 1.5 qt | Number of Forks: 6 | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
With the Nostalgia 6-Cup Electric Fondue Pot Set, you can host delicious fondue parties without breaking the bank. Its pot is on the smaller side, but it holds 6 cups, so it can make enough cheese or chocolate fondue for four to six people. It even comes with six color-coded fondue forks, so you have everything you need to enjoy a fondue night with family and friends.
This fondue pot is easy to use, so it’s ideal for beginners. It features a user-friendly heat-control dial that lets you quickly adjust the temperature and maintain the perfect temperature for your fondue. Its side handle stays cool during operation, too, so you can safely maneuver the pot.
We also appreciate how durable the Nostalgia Electric Fondue Pot Set is. It boasts high-quality stainless steel construction that not only stands up well to wear and tear but also looks great in the center of the table at dinner parties. Cleanup is a breeze, too, thanks to its dishwasher-safe design.
Best for Big Groups
Material: Aluminum | Power Source: Power cord | Capacity: 3 qt | Number of Forks: 6 | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
With its 3-quart pot, the Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Electric Fondue Pot Set can prepare up to 12 cups of fondue at a time, making it ideal for larger households or dinner parties. Its removable aluminum pot is lightweight and easy to handle, but features a nonstick ceramic interior that easily washes clean with soap and water. It’s also dishwasher-safe, though, making cleanup even easier.
The pot’s heating element allows it to reach temperatures between 150 and 400 degrees, so it can prepare a wide range of recipes. This wide temperature range lets you not only keep warm and heat fondue ingredients but also cook foods in oil or broth, such as meat and vegetables.
We also appreciate how safe this Hamilton Beach fondue pot is to use. It features a breakaway cord, so you don’t have to worry about hot cheese, chocolate or oil spilling across your kitchen if the pot is jostled. The pot’s nonstick coating is PFAS-free, too, preventing chemicals from leeching into your fondue as it cooks.
The most important factor when purchasing an electric fondue set is finding one that cooks the type of fondue you desire: chocolate, cheese, or oil/broth. A fondue set for chocolate or cheese is different than an oil/broth fondue set. (However, some oil/broth fondue sets come with an insert that allows you to make cheese and chocolate fondue as well.) The following details the three types of sets.
Chocolate: Chocolate fondue must be kept at a lower temperature than cheese or oil/broth fondue. Because of this, some electric fondue sets only get hot enough to melt chocolate, so that's all they make. These are the least expensive sets.
Cheese: This type of fondue must get hotter than chocolate but not as hot as oil/broth. A cheese fondue set is easily identifiable because it typically uses a ceramic pot to help keep the cheese from getting hot enough to burn. The temperature for both chocolate and cheese fondue needs to remain constant for best results. An electric fondue set that makes cheese fondue can also make chocolate fondue if set on low heat.
Now that you know which type of electric fondue set you need, you can focus on the additional features that you want.
Each fondue set comes with fondue forks, usually six, sometimes eight or more. The fork is what you use to hold the item you’re dipping (such as marshmallow, bread, or meat). Higher-quality fondue sets distinguish each fork in some way, such as by color, so your fork is easy to identify in a group. Some electric fondue sets also include skewers.
The fork holder ring is either an attachment or part of the rim of the fondue pot. It has little notches in it so you can rest the fondue forks inside the pot without fear of them slipping into the melted cheese or hot oil.
Not many fondue sets include additional serving bowls or plates, but if this is important to you, you’ll be able to find a few that do.
Some higher-end electric fondue sets feature a lazy Susan that holds dippers or cold sauces at the base of the unit. This base rotates so each person can easily reach the desired food item.
The cord on your electric fondue set should be detachable to facilitate cleaning. Some higher-end models have a magnetic breakaway plug that readily detaches so no hot liquids spill if someone trips over the cord. The other consideration is to make sure that the cord is long enough to safely reach from a nearby outlet to your table.
Electric fondue pots can get very hot. Because of this, you want a model that has handles that remain cool to the touch so there’s no chance of someone getting accidentally burned.
A nonstick, scratch-proof electric fondue set that’s easy to clean will be an appliance that gets used frequently.
Inexpensive: Basic electric fondue sets that melt cheese and chocolate cost between $25 and $45. These models are often made of ceramic to provide better insulation and keep the cheese and chocolate from burning.
Mid-range: The electric fondue sets that cost $45 to $65 are typically stainless steel, which allows the fast, efficient transfer of heat needed for oil or broth fondue. These units also have an insert so you can make cheese or chocolate fondue as well.
Expensive: Electric fondue sets that cost more than $80 have different features, such as a larger-capacity pot, built-in lazy Susan, breakaway cord for safety, or other extras that you won't find in lower-priced models.
Position the electrical cord so it isn’t a tripping hazard. To be extra cautious, you can tape or tie the cord to a table leg to prevent the pot from being accidentally knocked over. Position the pot where it’s easily accessible to all guests.
Dip dry meats and vegetables into oil or broth fondue. Any water will increase splattering. Never pour cold water into a hot fondue pot.
Remember to remove the meat from the fondue fork before eating. The fork gets very hot.
Don’t overfill the fondue pot. And don’t try to move a fondue pot that’s filled with hot broth, oil, chocolate, or cheese.
A. If you've never tried it before, there are two very big reasons why a fondue party might quickly become your favorite event to host. The first reason is the preparation. Compared to a typical dinner party, a fondue party takes considerably less prep work. However, the main reason that most hosts prefer fondue parties is because you can be part of the party and enjoy the festivities along with your guests.
A. If all your guests will be gathered around the fondue pot sipping wine and sharing stories, six is a good number. Some sets come with eight fondue forks, and that might be manageable, as long as you have the space. If you plan on having more than eight, it might be best to use two electric fondue sets, so everyone can be safely accommodated.
A. Yes. Your electric fondue pot has a variety of alternative uses. You can use it to heat up soup and tea or even serve as a makeshift deep fryer. Additionally, you can heat water in your electric fondue pot to give yourself a quick facial. Or if you'd like your home to have a lemony-fresh scent, add water and lemon and turn your fondue pot into an all-natural air freshener.
Electric fondue sets may all appear similar, but they are not necessarily created equal. To identify the best electric fondue sets, we considered customer reviews from multiple online retailers to determine which models earned the highest satisfaction ratings. In particular, we evaluated what types of fondue the sets could make, whether they had adjustable temperature settings, how easy they were to clean and what accessories were included. Overall, we analyzed more than a dozen electric fondue sets and chose the best based on their versatility, ease of use and cleaning and safety features.
