The Perfect Cheese Fondue: Heating Tips And Tricks

Cheese fondue is a Swiss dish that is made with melted cheese and often contains alcohol, such as brandy or white wine. It is typically served as a dip for fruits, vegetables, or bread. To heat cheese fondue, it is important to maintain a temperature that is below the boiling point but above the melting point. This can be achieved by using a stove, microwave, or tabletop heat source such as a fondue pot. When using a stove, a double boiler can help prevent the cheese from scorching. It is crucial to stir the fondue constantly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth consistency. The key to successful cheese fondue is gentle and consistent heat.

How to Heat Cheese Fondue

Heating Fondue on a Stove

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Before you begin heating your fondue, it's important to have all your ingredients ready. For a classic cheese fondue, you'll need a combination of shredded Swiss cheese, Gruyère, and sometimes Emmenthaler, along with cornstarch or flour, garlic, and dry white wine. You can also add a splash of kirsch, sherry, or brandy for extra flavour.

Step 2: Choose the Right Pot

Select a thick-based pot made of a material that distributes heat evenly, such as heavy earthenware, ceramic, or enameled iron. Avoid using a thin-based pot, as it may cause the cheese to burn or seize up.

Step 3: Rub the Pot with Garlic

Cut a clove of garlic in half and rub the inside of your chosen pot with it. This step adds a subtle garlic flavour to your fondue. Once you're done, discard the garlic or save it for another use.

Step 4: Add Wine and Simmer

Pour the dry white wine into the pot and place it on the stove. Turn the heat to medium-low and bring the wine to a gentle simmer. Do not let the wine boil, as this can affect the smoothness of your fondue.

Step 5: Gradually Add Cheese

Now it's time to add the cheese! Start by reducing the heat to low. Add the shredded cheese a few tablespoons at a time, stirring gently until each addition is fully melted before adding more. This step is crucial to achieving a smooth, lump-free fondue.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Once all the cheese has melted, you can season your fondue with a pinch of nutmeg and some pepper. Give it a final stir, and your fondue is ready to serve! Keep it on low heat to maintain its smooth texture.

Tips for Success:

• Always use gentle heat when making fondue on a stove. A low flame or simmer setting is best.
• Take your time when adding the cheese, and make sure each addition is fully melted before adding more.
• If your fondue becomes too thick, you can thin it out by stirring in a little extra warm wine.
• For the best flavour and texture, grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese, which may contain additives.
• If you don't have a fondue pot, you can transfer your fondue to a heatproof serving dish and keep it warm on a low flame.

Using a Microwave

Heating Cheese Fondue in a Microwave

Heating cheese fondue in a microwave is a quick and easy way to prepare this dish. Here is a step-by-step guide to doing it successfully:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients and Microwave-Safe Bowl

Start by gathering your fondue ingredients. While the specific ingredients may vary depending on your recipe, you will typically need cheese, wine, and seasonings. It is important to use a microwave-safe bowl to ensure safe cooking.

Step 2: Heat the Wine

Pour the wine into the microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave for about one minute. This step is important as it helps to warm up the wine and start the process of melting the cheese.

Step 3: Add the Cheese and Other Ingredients

Once the wine is heated, remove the bowl from the microwave and add the shredded cheese, flour, garlic salt, or other seasonings as per your recipe. Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients. Make sure the cheese is evenly distributed in the wine to facilitate melting.

Step 4: Microwave in Short Intervals

Place the bowl back into the microwave and heat it in short intervals, such as one minute or thirty-second intervals. After each interval, remove the bowl and stir the mixture to check the consistency. This step is crucial to ensure that the cheese melts evenly and smoothly without overheating or burning.

Step 5: Continue Microwaving Until Cheese is Melted

Keep microwaving and stirring in short intervals until the cheese is completely melted and has a stretchy, gooey consistency. You will know it is ready when you pull a spoon out, and the cheese stretches and melts. The total time required may vary depending on your microwave's power and the amount of fondue you are preparing.

Step 6: Serve the Fondue

Once your cheese fondue is melted and smooth, it is ready to serve! Fondue is typically served with bread cubes for dipping, but you can also offer other dipping options such as crackers, vegetables, or fruits. Enjoy your delicious, microwaved cheese fondue!

Electric Fondue Pots

Choosing an Electric Fondue Pot

When selecting an electric fondue pot, look for one with adjustable temperature settings. This will allow you to control the heat and prevent the cheese from burning. Some pots have as many as eight heat settings, allowing you to melt different types of cheese and other fondue varieties. It is also essential to consider the pot's capacity and size, depending on the number of people you plan to serve. For a larger group, opt for a bigger pot with a capacity of around 3 quarts. However, if you're making fondue for two, a smaller pot with a 1-quart capacity should suffice.

Preparing the Cheese Fondue

To make cheese fondue in an electric fondue pot, start by cutting the cheese into small cubes or shredding it. Place the cheese in the pot and turn it on to a low heat setting. You can also add other ingredients like cornstarch, wine, garlic, or kirsch (a clear spirit made from distilled cherries) to enhance the flavour and texture. Stir the mixture constantly to prevent lumps and ensure even melting.

Temperature Control

Maintain the temperature of the electric fondue pot between 120 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This range will ensure that the cheese melts properly without burning. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain this temperature. If using an electric fondue pot with pre-set modes, select the "cheese" mode if available.

Serving the Cheese Fondue

Once the cheese has melted and reached the desired consistency, it is ready to be served. Keep the electric fondue pot on a low heat setting during the meal to maintain the ideal temperature. Serve the fondue with various dipping options such as bread, apples, pears, vegetables, or meatballs. Enjoy your delicious cheese fondue!

Troubleshooting

If your cheese fondue becomes too thick, you can add a splash of dry white wine or a squeeze of lemon juice to thin it out. On the other hand, if it becomes too thin, simply add more shredded cheese tossed with cornstarch to thicken it. Remember to avoid adding water, as it will alter the consistency of the fondue.

Using a Crockpot

The use of a crockpot or slow cooker for making fondue is a modern adaptation, offering convenience and ease compared to the traditional method of melting cheese in a communal pot over a flame. This method maintains the core essence of the traditional Swiss dish.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Before you begin, gather all the necessary ingredients. The traditional choice for cheese fondue is Swiss (Emmental, Gruyère, or a mix of both). You will also need wine (or beer), cornstarch, and a clove of garlic.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Crockpot

Place all the ingredients in your crockpot or slow cooker. Simply chuck them all in, no need to worry about a particular order.

Step 3: Stir to Mix

Use a utensil to stir the ingredients in your crockpot. Combine them well so that the cheese doesn't form lumps.

Step 4: Cover and Cook

Cover your crockpot and set it to cook. The cooking time may vary depending on your crockpot's settings, but a general guideline is to cook on low heat for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. For example, you can cook for 1 hour, stir, and then continue cooking for the remaining time.

Step 5: Whisk Before Serving

Before serving your cheese fondue, give it a final whisk to ensure that all the ingredients are well blended and the cheese is smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Serve with Dippers

Serve your crockpot cheese fondue with a variety of dippers. The traditional choices include crusty bread or crunchy vegetables. However, feel free to get creative and experiment with different options like pretzels, sausages, fruits, or even chips and crackers.

Tips for Success:

• The key to successful fondue in a crockpot is gentle heat. Avoid high heat to prevent burning the cheese or causing it to seize up.
• Stir your fondue occasionally during the cooking process to prevent lumps and ensure even cooking.
• The trickiest part of making fondue is maintaining the right temperature. It should be warm enough to keep the cheese in a somewhat liquid consistency without burning it.
• If you're using garlic, smash it but leave it whole. You can remove it after the first stir or after the initial cooking period.
• For an extra creamy texture, consider adding a splash of heavy cream to your fondue.
• You can replace white wine with non-alcoholic options like apple cider or broth for a family-friendly version.

Alcohol Burners

Step 1: Prepare the Burner

Fill the burner base with 2 to 3 ounces of fuel. The amount of fuel depends on the desired burning time. Use 2 ounces for 1 hour of burning time, and up to 3 ounces for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Make sure to use fondue fuel or denatured alcohol, which can be purchased at specialty food stores or hardware stores, respectively. Alcohol burners have inserts that look like strainers to control the flame when using denatured alcohol.

Step 2: Set Up the Burner

Place the burner cover on top of the base and set it firmly on the fondue stand. Then, remove the burner cover. Ensure that all flammable materials, such as napkins and paper, are kept away from the burner.

Step 3: Light the Burner

Use only a lighted match to ignite the fuel. Bring the match towards the hole in the centre of the burner until the fuel catches the flame. Do not use a lighter as it can be dangerous. Never tip the burner to ignite, as it may cause fuel leakage and catch your table on fire.

Step 4: Adjust the Flame

Move the handle on the base of the burner to raise or lower the flame. Exposing more holes in the top will increase the flame, while covering them will lower it. If the flame gets out of control, use the burner lid to extinguish it.

Step 5: Refuelling

If your burner is running out of fuel, do not attempt to add more while it is still lit. Use the lid to extinguish the flame and allow the burner to cool for a few minutes before refuelling. Never fill the alcohol burner while it is still hot and never overfill it. Always wait for the burner to cool down before refilling.

Step 6: Safety Precautions

Wipe off any spilled fuel around or on the burner before placing it underneath your fondue pot. Protect your table from the heat of the flame by placing your pot on a stable surface, such as a wooden cutting board or a ceramic tile.

Frequently asked questions