Lighting Your Fondue Pot: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fondue is a fun and classy dish that can be intimidating to make for the uninitiated. The first step to making fondue is to light the fondue burner. The type of fondue pot and fuel used will depend on the type of fondue being prepared. Cheese fondue pots, for example, have a wide mouth and space for alcohol or gel fuel. Broth and oil fondue pots, on the other hand, have a smaller mouth and are made with steel or copper, heated with alcohol or gel fuel. Dessert fondue pots are smaller and shallower, requiring only a tea light candle as a heat source.

When using alcohol fuel, it is important to exercise caution as it is highly flammable. The burner should be completely cool before filling and never overfilled. The fuel should be carefully poured into the burner until it reaches the holes or mesh along the sides, and any spills should be immediately wiped away. The burner should then be placed below the fondue pot and lit with a match at the centre hole.

Gel fuel is a slightly safer alternative, though it still requires caution when lighting. A gel cartridge can be inserted into the metal casing of the burner, or pourable gel can be poured directly into the bottom of the burner. The air holes should be opened before lighting the burner with a match.

Candlelit burners are typically used for dessert fondues, which require very little heat to stay liquefied. The ingredients should be melted in a double boiler before being transferred to the fondue pot, which is then lit with a tea light candle.

Lighting an alcohol burner

• Ensure the alcohol burner is completely cool before filling it. Never overfill the burner.
• Remove the burner from the fondue pot and place it on a kitchen counter or sink.
• Carefully pour denatured alcohol into the burner. Do not exceed 3 fluid ounces (or 2 ounces if less cooking time is needed), as this may cause excessive flames. Stop pouring once the liquid nears the holes or mesh along the sides.
• Wipe away any spilled alcohol or fuel from the burner and its surroundings.
• Place the burner in its stand and ensure all air holes are open.
• Use a match to ignite the burner at the center hole. Do not use a lighter or tip the burner to ignite, as this can be dangerous.
• Adjust the flame using the movable handle. For higher flames, leave the holes open, and for lower flames, partially cover them by rotating the handle.
• Never move, tip, or add more alcohol/fuel to a lit burner. Always extinguish the flame and allow it to cool before refuelling.
• To extinguish the flame, cover the burner with its lid.

Always operate the fondue set on a level, stable surface and keep it away from children. Use a heat-resistant surface such as a hot pad, wooden cutting board, or ceramic tiles underneath the fondue set.

Lighting a gel burner

Step 1: Prepare the burner

Remove the metal mesh canister usually used for fuel and insert a gel cartridge into the remaining metal casing. If you are using pourable gel fuel instead of a cartridge, you should still remove the mesh fuel canister.

Step 2: Return the top of the burner

Once you have inserted the gel cartridge, return the top of the burner. If you are using pourable gel fuel, pour the gel into the bottom of the burner and then return the top.

Step 3: Prepare the air holes and light the burner

Open the air holes and bring a lit match to them. When the gel fuel catches fire, put out the match and discard it.

Step 4: Adjust the flame

Adjust the openings to the desired temperature.

Step 5: Extinguish the flame

When you are done eating, simply put the cover on the burner and it will smother the fire.

Safety Tips:

• Never fill the burner while it is still hot and never overfill it.
• Always use a match to light the burner, not a lighter.
• Make sure that all flammable material is far from the burner (e.g. napkins, paper, etc.).
• Do not move or tip the burner or stand once the burner is lit.
• Never add more gel fuel to a lit or hot burner. Always extinguish the flame and allow the burner to cool before refuelling.

Lighting a candlelit burner

To light a candlelit burner for a fondue pot, you will first need to melt the fondue ingredients in a double boiler on your stove before transferring them to your fondue pot. Place an unscented tealight candle below the fondue pot and light it with a match or a lighter. Extinguish the match and discard it.

Fondue pots are typically made of earthenware or ceramic. Earthenware or unglazed clay pots may need to be "seasoned" before use, but glazed ceramic pots do not. Fondue pots should have a thick bottom with a sturdy handle, and the stand should be sturdy and hold the pot securely. The heat source should be adjustable. Forks should have 2 or 3 prongs with long stems and wooden handles for safe handling. Each handle should have a different colour to identify whose fork is whose.

Safety precautions

To ensure a safe and enjoyable fondue experience, it is important to follow these safety precautions:

General Precautions

• Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions packaged with your fondue pot. Read all the directions and warnings on fuel containers.
• NEVER heat hot oil in an earthenware, ceramic, or stoneware fondue pot.
• To prevent cracking, do not heat a ceramic, stoneware or earthenware fondue pot when empty.
• Warm foods over low to medium-low heat for a brief period; a heat diffuser can add extra protection.
• Make sure the handles are securely attached before you pick up a filled fondue pot.
• At the table, place the fondue base on a heatproof surface like a thick wooden cutting board or colourful ceramic tiles.
• NEVER ADD FUEL TO A HOT FUEL CUP, with or without a flame. Some pots come with an extra fuel cup, which you can safely fill and replace if the fuel runs out.
• NEVER try to extinguish a burner by blowing out the flame. It can spread over the table. Use the flame snuffer included with your fondue set.
• Remind diners, especially children, that a fondue fork dipping into boiling hot broth or oil can cause burns if placed in the mouth.
• NEVER leave a hot fondue pot unattended in the presence of children.
• Tie or tape the electric fondue pot cord to a table leg to prevent unintentionally pulling over the pot.
• Unplug the electric pot immediately after use. Do not pour cold water into a hot fondue pot, no matter what material it is made from. Avoid rapid temperature changes.
• Always supervise the fondue pot and never leave it unattended.
• Keep the pot away from flammable objects, such as curtains or paper towels.
• Use caution when handling hot oil and cheese to prevent burns.
• Do not touch the fondue pot or its contents with bare hands.
• Use appropriate fondue forks to prevent burns and avoid double-dipping.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency.

Lighting Precautions

• Light alcohol fuel carefully. Make sure that the alcohol burner is completely cool before filling it. Never overfill the burner.
• Remove the burner and take it to a kitchen counter or kitchen sink. Carefully pour the alcohol into the burner, stopping once you see the liquid approaching the holes or mesh along the sides.
• Wipe off any fuel that may have spilled onto the outside of the burner and place it, unlit, below the fondue pot.
• Strike a match and bring it to the air holes in the burner. Make sure all the air holes are completely open, and put out and discard the match once the fuel lights up.
• Never add alcohol or fuel to a lit or hot burner. Always extinguish the flame and allow the burner to cool before refuelling.
• To extinguish the flame, place the burner cover on top of the burner to cover it completely.
• Keep the alcohol burner cover handy while the set is in use, so the flame can be extinguished when cooking is complete.

Fondue pot setup

The setup of your fondue pot will depend on the type of fondue you are preparing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up your fondue pot, including instructions for lighting the burner:

Step 1: Choose the Right Fondue Pot and Fuel

The type of fondue pot and fuel you need will depend on the type of fondue you are making. Here are some general guidelines:

• Cheese fondue pot: Wide mouth, space for alcohol or gel fuel.
• Dessert fondue pot: Smaller and shallower than cheese fondue pots, space for a tea light candle.
• Broth and oil fondue pots: Smaller mouth, made with steel or copper, heated with alcohol or gel fuel.

Step 2: Prepare the Fondue Ingredients

Before lighting your fondue burner, prepare your fondue ingredients according to your chosen recipe. This may include melting chocolate or cheese, or heating broth or oil.

Step 3: Set Up the Fondue Pot on a Stable Surface

Always operate your fondue set on a level, stable table or another flat, stable surface. Place the fondue pot on a heat-resistant surface such as a hot pad, wooden cutting board, or ceramic tiles. Keep the fondue set away from children and flammable materials.

Step 4: Prepare the Burner

If using alcohol fuel, make sure the alcohol burner is completely cool before filling it. Never overfill the burner. Remove the burner from the fondue pot and carefully pour the alcohol into the burner until it reaches the holes or mesh along the sides. Wipe off any spilled fuel and place the burner back under the fondue pot.

If using gel fuel, remove the metal mesh canister and insert a gel cartridge into the metal casing. If using pourable gel, remove the mesh canister and pour the gel into the bottom of the burner.

Step 5: Light the Burner

For alcohol or gel burners, open the air holes and strike a match to the holes. Put out and discard the match once the fuel lights up.

For candlelit burners, place an unscented tea light candle below the fondue pot and light it with a match or lighter.

Step 6: Adjust the Flame

Use the adjustable handle on the burner to control the size of the flame. Open more holes to make the flames higher and close the holes to lower the flames.

Step 7: Safety Precautions

Never add alcohol or fuel to a lit or hot burner. Always extinguish the flame and allow the burner to cool before refuelling. Keep a burner cover handy to extinguish the flame when cooking is complete.

Fondue Cooking Tips:

• When cooking with oil or broth, use a meat fondue pot made of metal, ideally stainless steel.
• For cheese fondue, use a wide-mouth earthenware clay pot or cast-iron pot.
• For dessert fondue, use a smaller and shallower pot, such as a mini ceramic cup with tea lights.
• Electric fondue pots are a safe and adjustable alternative to open flames.

Frequently asked questions