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.
What types of fondue do you plan on making? There’s cheese, chocolate, hot oil and even broth fondue. When making hot oil and broth fondue, you skewer raw meats like chicken, pork or beef and cook them in the fondue pot. Knowing what you want to make before buying the pot is important. Not all pots can get hot enough to cook meats.
One of those candle powered pots is not going to get you very far. If you plan on just sticking to chocolate fondue you can get by with candle or sterno power but you’ll have to melt the chocolate on the stove first and then move it to the fondue pot. If you plan on cooking hot oil or broth fondue you really should buy an electric fondue pot. Just plug it in and you’re ready to go.
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.
Be sure that the fondue pot that you pick comes with fondue forks. If you were to buy them separately it will definitely cost more money. Most fondue forks are color coded so that you don’t mix them up. Setting rules about double dipping is up to your but everyone having their own fork is good way to bring up the subject.
Being able to control how hot the fondue pot is getting is very important when cooking meat or hot oil fondue. Most of the time a temperature of about 350 degrees is needed to cook filet, pork or chicken thoroughly. Having a temperature dial on the pot makes it easy.
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.
A dishwasher safe fondue pot is the easiest thing in the world to clean because all you have to do is put it in the dishwasher. If you have a dishwasher in your house, then you should make a point of trying to find a dishwasher safe fondue pot.
Burning your hands would ruin your fondue dinner. Having a pot with a cool touch handle would help you to avoid this. But one of those big oven mitts would probably work just as well. And for that matter, you really should be moving a hot fondue pot anyway. This feature isn’t that important.
And if you’re cooking hot oil fondue be sure not to use one of those old fashioned ceramic fondue pots. The high temperature of the oil could crack the ceramic pot and then scalding hot oil will get everywhere. If you want to make chocolate, cheese and hot oil fondue then you should go with an all purpose fondue pot made of stainless steel.
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.
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Tags: cooking, cooking fondue, electric fondue pots, fondue pots
