Fondue Fuel: Fire Gel Safe?

Fondue fuel is an important consideration for anyone planning to host a fondue night. The type of fuel you use depends on the type of fondue you're making. For example, chocolate, butterscotch, and dessert fondues only need to be kept warm, so a simple tea light candle will suffice. However, cheese, meat, and seafood fondues require a higher temperature, so you'll need to use liquid alcohol or gel fuel in a fondue burner. If you're using liquid alcohol, be very careful not to spill it, as it's highly flammable. Gel fuel, on the other hand, is less likely to spill and is generally safer to use. You can also use fire starter gel fuel, as long as it's suitable for indoor use.

Fire starter gel fuel can be used for fondue, but only if it's suitable for indoor use

Fondue fuel options vary depending on the type of fondue you are preparing. For chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues, a simple, unscented tealight candle is all that's needed to keep the liquid warm and prevent it from solidifying. These candles are safe and convenient, with no risk of spills associated with liquid fuels.

However, for cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, a higher temperature is required. This can be achieved using liquid alcohol fuel or gel fuel. Liquid alcohol fuel burns without odour and won't leave soot stains, but it must be handled with care to avoid spills, especially near open flames. It is also highly flammable and cannot be purchased online or shipped.

Gel fuel, on the other hand, offers several safety advantages over liquid fuel. It has a higher viscosity, making it less likely to spill and reducing the risk of fire. Gram for gram, it burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol but has a longer burn time. It can be poured directly into a normal fondue burner and used in the same way as liquid fuel.

When choosing gel fuel, look for products specifically designed for indoor use and suitable for fondue and/or chafing dishes, such as Fire Dragon Fuel. Additionally, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your fondue burner to ensure a safe and enjoyable fondue experience.

Fondue fuel options include liquid alcohol, gel fuel, tea lights, and butane gas

Liquid Alcohol

Liquid alcohol is a good fuel option for cheese, meat, or seafood fondues as it burns at a high temperature. It also burns without odour and will not leave soot stains on the underside of the pan. It is available at most grocery and drug stores and can be used for lamps and cleaning purposes as well. However, it can be dangerous as it is easy to spill. It also cannot be purchased online because it is highly flammable and cannot be shipped.

Gel Fuel

Gel fuel is a jelly-like form of alcohol. It burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol but will burn for longer. It can be poured into a normal fondue burner and used in the same way as liquid fuel. It is safer than liquid fuel as its higher viscosity means it is less likely to spill and will not run if it is spilled. It can be purchased online and in stores.

Tea Lights

Unscented tea light candles are the best fuel option for chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues. They keep the liquid warm enough to stop it from solidifying and present none of the dangers associated with liquid fuels.

Butane Gas

Newer fondue sets may use pressurised butane gas. While these sets and the canisters of gas are slightly more expensive, they offer excellent temperature control and easy reuse and do not create any odour. They are also very safe as long as the canister is not subjected to rough handling or put in an environment where the air pressure changes dramatically.

Liquid alcohol is dangerous as it's easy to spill, but it's also simple and cheap to use

When preparing fondue, it's important to use the right type of fuel for your fondue pot. While liquid alcohol is a viable option as it's simple and cheap to use, it is also dangerous because it is highly flammable and easy to spill.

Liquid alcohol is a good fuel for fondue because it burns without leaving odours or soot stains on the underside of the pan. It can be purchased from most grocery and drug stores, and can also be used for lamps and cleaning. However, it is important to note that it cannot be purchased online or shipped due to safety concerns. Additionally, it is crucial to use a special fondue burner designed for alcohol fuel and to be extremely careful not to spill the liquid, especially near open flames.

To use liquid alcohol fuel, follow these steps:

• Take the burner away from the fondue pot to a safe area, like a kitchen counter.
• If you are refilling the burner, wait for it to cool down completely.
• Carefully pour about 90 ml or 3 oz of liquid alcohol into the bottom of the burner. Stop pouring when the liquid reaches the holes or mesh.
• If you spilled any fuel on or around the burner, wipe it off.
• Bring the refilled burner (unlit) back to the table and place it underneath your fondue pot. Ensure that all flammable materials are kept away from the burner.
• Open the air holes to the maximum and carefully light a match, bringing it close to the holes.
• Once the burner is lit, discard the used match and adjust the openings to your desired temperature.

While liquid alcohol is an option, gel fuel is often recommended as a safer alternative. Gram for gram, gel fuel burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol, but it lasts longer and is less likely to spill. It can be used in a similar way to liquid fuel but without the same level of danger.

Gel fuel is safer than liquid fuel as it's less likely to spill and will not run if it's spilt

When it comes to choosing a fuel for your fondue, safety is a key consideration. While liquid alcohol is a popular choice for fondue fuel, it is highly flammable and can easily be spilled, making it dangerous to use. Fondue gel fuel, on the other hand, offers a safer alternative.

Gel fuel is a jelly-like form of alcohol with a higher viscosity than liquid alcohol, making it less likely to spill. This is especially important when handling flammable substances near heat sources, as even a small spill of liquid fuel can pose a fire hazard. With gel fuel, you can rest assured that accidental spills are less likely to occur, reducing the risk of fire.

Even if gel fuel is spilled, its thicker consistency means it will not run, further minimizing the risk of fire. This is a significant advantage over liquid fuel, which can quickly spread if spilled, leading to a dangerous situation. By choosing gel fuel, you can enjoy your fondue experience with greater peace of mind, knowing that the risk of fire is reduced.

In addition to safety, gel fuel offers other benefits as well. It burns for a longer duration than liquid alcohol, so you won't need to worry about refuelling as frequently. Gel fuel is also available in convenient cartridges that can be inserted into the metal casing of compatible fondue burners, making it easy to use and reducing the chance of spills during refuelling.

While gel fuel may be slightly less powerful than liquid alcohol in terms of burn temperature, its safety advantages make it a preferred choice for many fondue enthusiasts. By choosing gel fuel, you can enjoy your fondue experience with confidence, knowing that you've made a safer choice for yourself and your guests.

Chafing fuel is a type of gel fuel packaged in screw-top tins that can be burned, extinguished, and burnt again

Chafing fuel is commonly used in catering businesses and food service establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, and catering events. It is important to choose the right type of chafing fuel based on factors such as fuel style, materials, burn time, heat output, and safety. The fuel typically contains a combination of ethanol, methanol, and other additives to control the burn rate and ensure a consistent and steady flame.

One of the advantages of chafing fuel is that it burns clean and odourless, ensuring that the quality and flavour of the food remain intact. It is available in different burn times, ranging from 45 minutes to 6 hours, making it suitable for various event durations. Chafing fuel is also safe to use, as it has a high flash point and produces minimal smoke, making it ideal for indoor use.

When using chafing fuel, it is important to follow safety precautions such as never using it to cook food, keeping it away from flammable decorations, and always using a long-reach match or butane lighter to ignite it. Additionally, it is crucial to never use water to extinguish chafing fuel, as it can cause splattering and potentially lead to injuries.

Frequently asked questions