Lighting A Fondue Burner: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fondue is a fun way to enjoy a meal with friends and family, but it's important to know how to light your fondue burner safely. Most fondue sets come with alcohol burners, which use liquid alcohol fuel or gel packets containing a gelatinized alcohol fuel. When using liquid alcohol fuel, it's important to never fill the burner while it's still hot and to always wipe up any spills to avoid accidents. Fondue gel fuel is often a safer alternative, but it's important to follow the instructions for your specific burner. Tealight candles can be used for chocolate fondue, but other types of fondue require higher heat.

Lighting a Fondue Burner

Using liquid alcohol as fuel

Step 1: Prepare your work area

Take the burner away from the fondue pot to a safe work area, like a kitchen counter. Make sure the burner has cooled off completely before refilling it. Never overfill the burner to avoid leakage, which may cause an explosion.

Step 2: Fill the burner

Carefully pour liquid alcohol into the bottom of the burner. Fill the burner base with 2 to 3 ounces of fuel. Use 2 ounces for 1 hour of burning time, and up to 3 ounces for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Stop pouring when the fuel reaches the holes or mesh. Wipe off any spilled fuel with a paper towel.

Step 3: Return the burner to the fondue pot

Bring the refilled burner (unlit) back to the table and place it underneath your fondue pot. Ensure that any spills are wiped up and that there is no paper or other flammable material nearby.

Step 4: Light the burner

Open the air holes on the burner lid to the maximum opening. 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.

Step 5: Adjust the flame

Move the handle on the base of the burner to raise or lower the flame by exposing or covering more holes in the top. Adjust the openings to the desired temperature.

Step 6: Extinguish the flame

To put out the flames, set the burner cover on top of the burner base.

Using gel fuel

To use gel fuel, start by checking if your burner is compatible with gel fuel cartridges. Some fondue burners have a removable bottom half, which can be detached to insert the gel cartridge. If your burner does not have a removable bottom half, do not force it open. Instead, remove the bottom portion with the surface containing holes or a mesh and pour the gel directly into the fondue burner.

Once you have inserted the gel cartridge or poured the gel fuel into the burner, cover it with the burner lid. Ensure that the holes are left wide open to allow for proper ventilation and heat adjustment. Now, you can light the gel fuel using a match or a lighter.

After lighting the gel fuel, you can adjust the burner holes to regulate the size of the flame and control the temperature. It is important to note that gel fuel may take longer to ignite than liquid alcohol, so be patient and keep the area well-ventilated.

Always follow safety precautions when using gel fuel. Ensure that all flammable materials are kept away from the burner, and never leave the burner unattended while it is lit. Allow the burner to cool completely before refilling it with gel fuel.

Adjusting the flame

Once your fondue burner is lit, you can adjust the flame to your desired temperature. If you are using a liquid alcohol burner, you can do this by exposing or covering the holes in the top of the burner. Move the handle on the base of the burner to raise or lower the flame. The more holes that are exposed, the higher the flame will be. If you are using a gel burner, you can adjust the flame by turning the top piece of the burner to allow more or less oxygen into the burner.

If you are using a pre-filled Boska Holland Safe Fondue Fuel burner, you can adjust the flame using the built-in flame regulator. These burners are safer to use as they are spill-proof and already pre-filled with fuel.

When you are finished eating, simply put the cover on the burner to smother the flame. Alternatively, if you are using a liquid alcohol burner, you can extinguish the flame by covering the burner with its cover.

It is important to note that not all burners have a removable bottom half, so do not force yours to open. Always read the instructions that come with your fondue burner to ensure safe and proper use.

Putting out the flame

If you are using a liquid alcohol burner, it is important to note that you should never fill the burner while it is still hot and never overfill it. If you are refilling the burner, wait for it to cool off. Then carefully pour the liquid into the bottom of the burner. Your burner should have holes or some kind of mesh with an absorbent pad inside. As soon as you see the level of liquid approaching the holes or mesh, stop.

If you are using a gel burner, the process is similar to an alcohol burner with a few differences. The fondue burners that are compatible with gel fuel cartridges have a removable bottom half. The part that contains the fuel can be removed and a gel cartridge can be inserted into the metal casing. If you are not using a gel cartridge, you must still remove the bottom portion and pour the gel directly into the fondue burner.

It is important to always follow safety measures when using a fondue burner. Make sure that all flammable materials are kept away from the burner, such as napkins, paper, and other combustible items. Always read the instructions and safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your fondue burner and fuel to ensure a safe and enjoyable fondue experience.

Using candles for chocolate fondue

Step 1: Choosing Your Equipment

Firstly, you will need to select an appropriate fondue pot. A dedicated fondue pot is simply a warming dish on a stand, with a candle underneath to keep the contents warm. If you don't have a fondue pot, a regular bowl can be used, but the chocolate will only stay warm for around 20 minutes.

Step 2: Preparing the Chocolate

For the chocolate fondue, you will need 6 ounces of fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (no more than 64% cacao), 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, and 2 tablespoons of Cognac or other brandy. You will also need a selection of "dunking bits" to dip into the chocolate, such as fruit, cake, or even potato chips! Prepare your chosen dunking foods in advance and place them on a serving dish.

Step 3: Melting the Chocolate

Place the cream, butter, and Cognac in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. While this is heating up, chop the chocolate into small pieces. Once the mixture is simmering, remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Step 4: Lighting the Candle

Now it's time to light your candle. Place an unscented tea light candle underneath your fondue pot or bowl. Light the candle with a match or lighter, then put out the match and discard it.

Step 5: Serving the Fondue

Pour the chocolate mixture into the fondue pot or bowl and place it over the lit candle. If you are using a regular bowl, be sure to stir the chocolate occasionally to avoid scorching. Dip your chosen foods into the warm, melted chocolate and enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• If you are using fruit that is prone to browning, such as apples or bananas, you can soak the cut pieces in a mixture of water and lemon juice before drying them to help prevent discolouration.
• If you are making a large batch of fondue, consider using 2-3 tea lights to keep the chocolate melted.
• You can prepare the chocolate fondue in advance by melting the ingredients in a double boiler on the stove and then transferring it to the fondue pot when you are ready to serve.
• If you don't have a fondue pot, you can keep the chocolate warm by placing it on a heating pad set to medium or high heat.

Frequently asked questions