The Science Of Fondue: Burners And How They Work

Fondue burners are an essential part of the fondue experience, providing the heat needed to cook or warm various fondue ingredients. The burners are placed directly under the fondue pot and use a variety of fuel types, including denatured alcohol, butane, gel paste, and candles. The choice of fuel depends on the type of fondue being prepared, with chocolate, butterscotch, and coffee fondues requiring lower temperatures than cheese, meat, or seafood fondues. Safety is a key consideration when using fondue burners, with spillage of liquid fuels being a particular hazard.

Lighting an alcohol burner

To light an alcohol burner for fondue, there are several steps to follow for a safe and effective experience. Firstly, ensure you are using the correct type of fondue pot and fondue fuel. Alcohol fondue fuel is highly flammable and inexpensive, but it is dangerous due to its spillability. Therefore, it is recommended to use fondue gel fuel as a safer alternative.

If using liquid alcohol, fill the burner base with 2-3 ounces of fuel, with 2 ounces providing 1 hour of burning time, and 3 ounces providing 1 hour and 30 minutes. Place the burner cover on top of the base, set it on the fondue stand, and then remove the cover. Make sure all flammable materials are kept away from the burner.

Use a match to ignite the fuel by bringing it towards the hole in the centre of the burner. Once the fuel has caught the flame, discard the match. You can then adjust the openings to reach your desired temperature. To extinguish the flame, simply place the burner cover on top of the burner base.

If you are refilling the burner, always wait for it to cool down before adding more fuel. Never overfill the burner, and be sure to wipe away any spills.

Using gel fuel

Fondue fuel comes in different forms, including liquid alcohol and gel packets containing gelatinized alcohol fuel. The type of fuel you use depends on the type of fondue you are making. For chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues, an unscented tealight candle is the best option as the key is to keep the liquid warm enough to stop it from solidifying.

For cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, a higher temperature is required, which cannot be achieved using tealights. This is where gel fuel comes in. It is essentially a jelly-like form of alcohol and is a safer alternative to liquid alcohol fuel. Gram for gram, gel fuel burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol, but it does burn for longer. It can be poured directly into a normal fondue burner and used in the same way as liquid fuel. The higher viscosity of gel fuel means it is less likely to spill, reducing the risk of fire.

Gel fuel cartridges can be inserted into the metal casing of the fondue burner, with the top of the burner placed on top of this bottom part. If your burner does not have a removable bottom half, do not force it open. Instead, pour the gel directly into the bottom of the fondue burner.

When lighting a fondue burner using gel fuel, the process is similar to using an alcohol burner. First, remove the bottom portion of the burner, which contains the fuel and may have a mesh surface or holes. If using a gel cartridge, insert it into the metal casing. Return the top of the burner and light it using a match. Once lit, adjust the openings to the desired temperature. To extinguish the flame, simply place the cover on the burner to smother the fire.

Electric fondue pots

To use an electric fondue pot, simply plug it in, adjust the temperature dial to the desired setting, and wait for the pot to heat up. Most models have multiple heat settings, allowing you to melt chocolate, cheese, or other fondue ingredients without scorching or boiling. Once the desired temperature is reached, you can add your ingredients directly to the pot and begin dipping.

Some advantages of electric fondue pots include ease of use, accurate temperature control, and safety. Electric fondue pots eliminate the need for open flames and portable fuel, making them safer to use, especially in homes with children. They also offer a wider range of temperature settings, making them suitable for a variety of fondue recipes. Additionally, electric fondue pots are generally easier to clean than traditional fondue pots, as many models have dishwasher-safe components.

When choosing an electric fondue pot, it is important to consider factors such as capacity, heat settings, ease of cleaning, and stability. It is also worth noting that while electric fondue pots are generally safe, it is always important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines to prevent accidents.

Types of fondue fuel

The type of fondue fuel you need depends on the type of fondue you are making. For example, a meat fondue requires a different type of fondue fuel compared to a chocolate fondue.

Fondue burners typically consist of a fuel container, a flame adjuster, and an extinguishing control feature. The fuel container, also known as a fuel or spirit stove, holds the fuel that is ignited for cooking or keeping food warm. The burner cover contains holes that evenly distribute the heat from the fuel, allowing the cover to be rotated so the holes can be fully open for a more intense flame or partially closed to reduce the flame.

The extinguishing cover is used to cut off the air supply to the fuel so that it stops burning when the cover fully encloses the burner opening.

Alcohol Fuel

Alcohol fondue fuel is used for hot oil fondue, broth-based fondue, and cheese fondue. It provides high heat to keep the liquid warm enough to cook meat or keep cheese liquefied. Alcohol burners are the hottest tabletop heat source and are ideal for heating oils that require high temperatures for cooking meats. The height and heat of the flame are determined by how much air you let into its chamber.

Alcohol burners are meant to be used with fondue fuel or denatured alcohol only. If using denatured alcohol, your burner will come with an insert that looks like a strainer. It goes inside the burner and keeps the flame under control while burning.

Alcohol can be very fluid, so it is important to keep the burner from being tipped and spilling any of the solutions that may pool in the burner, especially if the alcohol is ignited. Alcohol is generally used for heating cheeses, chocolates, broths, and cooking oils.

Gel Fuel

Gel fuel is essentially a jelly-like form of alcohol. Gram for gram, it burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol, but it does burn for longer. The gel can be poured into a normal fondue burner and used in the same way as liquid fuel. The main advantage of gel fuel over liquid fuel is increased safety. The higher viscosity means that the gel is less likely to spill from the bottle or burner and will not run if it is spilt. This means there is less danger of fire, and if a fire is caused, it will be less dangerous than one associated with liquid fuel.

Chafing fuels are also gel fuels, though they are packaged in screw-top tins that also constitute the burning device. The advantage of this is that the fuel and container have been specifically designed so that they can be burned, extinguished, and burnt again.

Butane Fuel

Butane fuel is made in pressurised containers and is not a common fondue or chafing dish fuel. It does, however, offer some options for the burner that are not available in other burners. The butane burner is designed to allow the flame to be ignited with a spark igniter and, when burning, to be adjusted with a greater degree of control than burners using a flame adjuster cover. This enables the amount of heat to be more effectively controlled for delicate foods or cooking meats requiring higher heat temperatures. Butane fuels are used for all types of foods, whether they are to be warmed or cooked.

Tea Lights

Tea lights are most often used to heat dessert chocolates and other dipping sauces, as these types of food require only a moderate amount of heat. They are best for keeping foods warm, particularly any types of food that may be sensitive to higher temperatures.

Safety considerations

Fondue burners use an open flame, hot oil, or other hot liquids, so it is important to follow safety precautions when using them. Here are some key safety considerations to keep in mind:

• Always use the correct type of fondue pot and fuel. Using the wrong type of fuel or pot can be dangerous and may lead to accidents.
• When using liquid alcohol as fuel, never fill the burner while it is hot and do not overfill it. Alcohol is highly flammable and can easily spill, so handle it with caution.
• If refilling the burner, allow it to cool down first. Carefully pour the liquid fuel into the bottom of the burner, stopping when the liquid reaches the holes or mesh.
• Wipe up any spilled fuel immediately. Keep flammable materials, such as napkins or paper, away from the burner.
• Always light the burner in a well-ventilated area, away from any heat sources. Use a lit match to ignite the fuel at the air holes.
• Adjust the air holes to control the desired temperature. For a higher flame, open the holes, and for a lower flame, partially close them.
• To extinguish the flame, close the vents and place a snuffer lid over the burner. Ensure the flame is completely out before refilling the burner.
• When using an electric fondue set, ensure the extension cord is taped down to the floor to prevent tripping hazards.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, snuffer lid, or box of baking soda nearby when using an oil fondue, in case of flare-ups.
• Always place the fondue pot on a heatproof trivet or cutting board to protect the table surface from heat damage.
• Never double-dip your food into the fondue pot, as this spreads germs. Use the fondue fork for dipping only, and then use a table fork to eat.
• If children are participating, ensure they are closely supervised by an adult to prevent accidents.

Frequently asked questions