Lighting Fondue Fuel: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fondue is a fun and social way to enjoy a meal, but it's important to know how to light your fondue burner safely. The type of fuel you use will depend on the type of fondue you are making. For chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues, an unscented tealight candle will provide enough heat to keep the liquid warm without solidifying. For cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, you will need a fuel that burns at a higher temperature, such as liquid alcohol or gel fuel. When using liquid alcohol, take the burner away from the fondue pot to a safe area, fill the burner base with fuel, and use a match to ignite it. With gel fuel, you can simply insert the pack into the fondue burner base, tear off the foil lid, and light with a match.

Using tea light candles for chocolate fondue

To use tea light candles for chocolate fondue, follow these steps:

• Prepare your chocolate fondue on the stove in a pot or double boiler. Never melt chocolate directly over high heat, as it can burn easily. Stir frequently to ensure even melting.
• Once your chocolate is melted and well combined, transfer it to your fondue dish.
• Place a tea light candle underneath the fondue dish. Make sure to use an unscented tea light candle, as scented candles can alter the taste of your fondue.
• Light the tea light candle with a lighter or match.
• Stir your fondue occasionally to prevent it from solidifying and to ensure even heating.
• Enjoy your chocolate fondue by dipping pieces of fruit, cake, pretzels, bacon strips, or any other treats of your choice!

It is important to note that tea light candles may not generate enough heat for cooking meat or other fondues that require higher temperatures. However, for chocolate fondue, tea light candles are a safe and convenient option. Always exercise caution when handling lit candles and keep flammable materials away from the heat source.

Liquid alcohol fuel for cheese fondue

A cheese fondue requires high heat to keep the cheese liquefied. While liquid alcohol is a dangerous fuel because it is easy to spill, it is also simple and cheap to use for cheese fondue. However, you can’t purchase it online because it is highly flammable and can’t be shipped. Fondue gel fuel is often a good alternative.

If you are using liquid alcohol fuel, you need to put about 90 ml or about 3 oz of liquid into the bottom part of the burner. Make sure to not spill any of this flammable liquid on the table cloth for the safety of your guests. Return the burner to a stable position under the pot and use a match to light it. Leave the air holes open. The larger the opening, the higher the heat coming out of your fondue burner.

When refilling the burner, wait for the burner 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 spilled any fuel around or on the burner, wipe it off. Bring the refilled burner (unlit) back to the table and place it underneath your fondue pot. If you spilled any alcohol on your way to the table, especially near the pot, wipe it off.

Make sure that all flammable material is far from the burner (i.e., napkins, paper, etc.). Open the air holes to the maximum opening and carefully bring a lit match to the holes. Once your burner is lit, discard the used match. Adjust the openings to the desired temperature.

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

Safety of gel fuel

When preparing fondue, it is important to ensure that you are using the right type of fondue pot and fondue fuel. While liquid alcohol is a popular choice as it is simple and cheap to use, it is highly flammable and can easily be spilled. Fondue gel fuel is often a safer alternative.

If you are using alcohol as a fondue fuel, there are some safety measures you should follow. Always take the burner away from the fondue pot to a safe area, like a kitchen counter, when refilling it. Never fill the burner while it is still hot and never overfill it. Wait for the burner to cool off, then carefully pour the liquid into the bottom of the burner. Your burner should have holes or a mesh with an absorbent pad inside. Stop pouring when the liquid reaches the holes or mesh. Wipe off any spills and ensure all flammable materials are cleared from the area. Open the air holes to the maximum opening and carefully bring a lit match to the holes. Once the burner is lit, adjust the openings to the desired temperature.

If you are using gel fondue fuel, the process is similar, but there are a few differences. Fondue burners that are compatible with gel fuel cartridges have a removable bottom half. Remove the bottom part and insert a gel cartridge into the metal casing. Place the top of the burner with the opening for air on top of the bottom part. If you are not using a gel cartridge, simply pour the gel directly into the bottom of the fondue burner. Light the burner as per the alcohol burner instructions. One advantage of using gel fuel is that you don't have to wait for the burner to cool off before refilling it.

Some gel fuel products, such as Swiss Fire Gel, feature a fire mitigation device in the nozzle to prevent accidental flashback or overfilling. These products are based on ethanol or methanol, which reduce the risk of explosions, fumes, smells, and irritations.

Using Sterno burners

Sterno burners are a great alternative if you have misplaced the burner for your fondue pot. They are a type of fuel that comes in a container and can be placed under your fondue pot and lit. Sterno fuel comes in two forms: solid fuel in small tins or as a pourable gel fuel in bottles.

If you are using the solid fuel option, simply place the can of Sterno in the burner and light it. The burner should have a cup that is the right size to hold the can.

If you are using the pourable gel fuel option, pour the gel into the burner until it reaches the maximum fill line. Do not overfill as this can be dangerous. Return the burner to a stable position under the fondue pot and use a match to light it. Leave the air holes open. The larger the opening, the higher the heat coming out of your burner. When you are done, simply put the cover on the burner to smother the flame.

Sterno burners are a good option for "cooking" fondues, but they won't get as hot as some other fuel types like alcohol or butane. If you are using Sterno fuel for a hot oil, broth, or cheese fondue, you may need to start by heating your broth or oil on the stove before transferring it to the fondue pot.

Always make sure to follow safety precautions when using any type of fondue fuel. Keep flammable materials away from the burner and always wait for the burner to cool down before refilling it with fuel.

Lighting an alcohol burner

To light an alcohol burner for a fondue set, you will need to take a few safety precautions. Firstly, make sure you are using the right type of fondue pot and fondue fuel. Alcohol fondue fuel is highly flammable and cannot be purchased online. It is also dangerous because it is very easy to spill. Fondue gel fuel is often a safer alternative.

If you are using liquid alcohol fuel, fill the burner base with 2 to 3 ounces of fuel. Place the burner cover on top of the base, then set the burner on the fondue stand and remove the burner cover. Make sure all flammable materials are far away from the burner, then use a lit match to ignite the fuel through the hole in the centre of the burner. Once the fuel has caught the flame, you can discard the match and adjust the openings to the desired temperature.

If you are refilling the burner, wait for it to cool down before carefully pouring the liquid into the bottom of the burner. Alcohol burners usually have holes or a mesh with an absorbent pad inside. Stop pouring when the liquid level reaches the holes or mesh. If you spill any fuel on or around the burner, wipe it off before placing it back underneath the fondue pot.

When you have finished using the fondue set, simply put the cover on the burner to smother the fire.

Frequently asked questions