In order to heat and serve fondue, an electric fondue pot is favored over using fuel based heat for a variety of reasons. The fuel based fondue pots, those that utilize sterno cans, denatured alcohol, or other liquid fuels, often produce unwanted results.
For example, the flame may heat unevenly, causing the cheese or chocolate sauce to scorch, or can result in a baking of the contents of the pot to its sides. A single negative experience with Sterno will transform fondue nights into fon-don’t nights.
The power cords of some of the electric fondue pots are rather short. Therefore, it is possible that you will have to utilize an extension cord in order to reach an electrical outlet. Should you be required to do this, make certain that you place the fondue set at the center of the table in order to minimize the possibility of someone tripping on the cord and being burned by the fondue sauce. It is for this reason that many of the fondue sets are manufactured with magnetic cords which are designed to break away upon a quick tug.
When you are shopping for a fondue pot you will find that there is a great selection available and you may run into a bit of difficulty deciding upon the right pot. Basically, fondue may be classified into three types: chocolate, meat and cheese. Individual fondue sets might gravitate to a specific kind of food, but most of those produced recently will accommodate all kinds of fondue without a problem.
For instance, should chocolate fondue be expected to be the main use, it would be best to get a ceramic glazed pot designed for a candle as the heat source. The glazed ceramic composition is the easiest to clean. Heating by candle works best for chocolate; the sauce is first heated on the stove and when transferred into the fondue pot, the candle keeps it at the perfect temperature. When a fuel burner fondue set is all that is available, keep the burner as low as possible, and stir the sauce quite frequently in order to keep the bottom layer of the mixture from burning.
If you prefer a classic cheese fondue, an unglazed pot ought to be your choice. This is to create a singularly aged flavor since the ceramic will absorb the different flavors of the cheeses and wines over time. Again, a fuel burner is perfect for cheese fondues since one can control the heat and do not forget that while a thin toasty crust is a treat, nobody wants it burnt. When finished, the pot ought to be cleaned by using only warm water. Doing so will permit the pot to keep the flavors which were absorbed throughout the meal.
Meat is cooked in an oil or broth for the meat fondues. In this instance, electric heat is preferred since the pot must be very hot to ensure that the meat is properly cooked. The most efficient pot to achieve this purpose is an all metal pot. Copper with a stainless steel lining is a good selection because the copper is great for heat transfer, less expensive stainless steel sets are adequate, but the pinnacle of the meat fondues is a cast iron fondue pot. While the pot will require more time to heat, that heat will be retained for quite some time. But no matter which electric fondue set you choose, there is little doubt that you will have much fun gathered around the fondue pot with your family or friends.