Chocolate Fondue Fun: Using Your Ceramic Fondue Set

A ceramic chocolate fondue set is a great way to elevate a dinner party or a romantic night in. It's an interactive dining experience that's best shared with friends and family. Here's a step-by-step guide to using a ceramic chocolate fondue set:

Preparation:

1. Choose your dippers: Popular choices include fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple, etc.), marshmallows, brownies, cake, and cookies.

2. Prepare the chocolate fondue: For a basic chocolate fondue, you will need chocolate and heavy cream. You can also add a pinch of salt, extracts (peppermint, orange, etc.), or liquors to spike your fondue.

Heating the Fondue:

1. Use a double boiler: Place a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water. Add the chocolate and cream mixture to the bowl and heat until smooth and creamy, stirring constantly.

2. Transfer to the fondue pot: Once the mixture is ready, transfer it to the ceramic fondue pot.

3. Keep it warm: Use a small amount of heat to keep the fondue warm. Tea lights or a tea candle can provide a gentle heat source. Electric fondue pots have adjustable temperature settings to maintain the desired temperature.

Serving and Enjoying:

1. Arrange the dippers: Place the dippers on a platter or plates around the fondue pot.

2. Use fondue forks or skewers: Provide each person with a fondue fork or skewer to dip the fruit, sweets, or other items into the melted chocolate.

3. Enjoy: Dip your chosen items into the chocolate fondue and enjoy the delicious combination of flavours!

Cleaning:

1. Allow the fondue pot to cool down completely before cleaning.

2. Wash the fondue pot: Most ceramic fondue pots are dishwasher-safe, so you can place them in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Alternatively, you can wash them by hand using hot soapy water.

How to prepare the chocolate fondue

To prepare a chocolate fondue, you will need chocolate with above 50% cocoa content. You can add extra flavours to the chocolate, such as peppermint extract, cinnamon and chilli, or Amaretto or Bailey's Irish cream.

The chocolate should be heated with cream over a double burner, stirring constantly until the mixture is nice and creamy. Then, transfer the mixture to your fondue pot to serve, using a small amount of heat to keep the fondue warm.

If you are preparing your fondue in advance, let the mixture cool, then refrigerate. When you are ready to serve, gently warm the fondue in the microwave or over a pot of simmering water.

You can serve your fondue with a variety of dippers, such as fruit, cake, marshmallows, brownies, or cookies.

How to serve the fondue

Once you've prepared your chocolate fondue, it's time to serve it! Here are some tips to ensure your fondue is served safely and enjoyed by your guests:

• Use a trivet to protect your table from heat damage.
• Limit the number of people served by one fondue pot to four. For larger groups, use multiple pots.
• Avoid overfilling the pot to prevent splattering.
• Use the fondue forks only for cooking, not eating. Provide separate utensils for eating.
• Ensure the fondue pot is placed on a flat, smooth surface before inserting the burner into the rack.
• Do not place the fondue pot in the oven.
• If using tea lights or candles, keep an eye on the flame and blow it out if the chocolate gets too hot.
• If the fondue starts to stiffen, add a small amount of hot cream and stir to thin it out.
• Arrange dippers such as fruit, cake, or marshmallows on a platter or plates around the fondue pot.
• Provide guests with fondue forks, bamboo skewers, or salad forks for dipping.
• Always ensure the chocolate fondue is served warm, adding heat as needed.
• For a romantic meal for two, chocolate fondue is a perfect way to end the evening.

How to clean the fondue pot

Before you start cleaning your fondue pot, it's important to let it cool down completely. This is crucial for your safety, as it protects you from burns. Once the pot is cool, use a spatula to remove as much of the leftover contents as possible. If you're disposing of used oil, avoid pouring it down the drain as it can cause plumbing problems. Instead, pour it into a container, seal, and throw it in the trash.

Next, heat a pot of water on the stove until it almost comes to a boil. While the water is heating up, add several drops of dishwashing liquid to the fondue pot, which should be sitting in the sink. Once the water has heated up, fill the fondue pot with enough hot water to cover the entire pot. Let the pot sit for 10 minutes. If there is burnt-on food, you may need to let it sit overnight. Periodically check to see if the food is beginning to loosen.

After the fondue pot has soaked, empty the water and use a scrub brush or a scrubber sponge to loosen any stuck-on remains. Wash the entire pot in hot, soapy water, being careful not to use anything too harsh that will scratch the surface. Rinse the pot thoroughly with clean water, ensuring that all soap residue is removed, and then dry the pot.

If your fondue pot is made of ceramic, it can be cleaned in a similar way. However, some ceramic fondue pots are microwave-safe, so you can also heat the leftover contents in the microwave to make them easier to remove.

Fondue pots made of enameled cast iron are best cleaned by handwashing with mild dish soap and a gentle scrubber. If there is stuck-on cheese or chocolate, try doing a short soak in warm water to help soften it before scrubbing. Some fondue pots are also dishwasher-safe, so check the manufacturer's specifications to see if this is an option.

How to prevent the chocolate from burning

To prevent your chocolate fondue from burning, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to maintain a low heat level while melting the chocolate. Avoid letting the fondue come to a simmer or boil, as this can scorch the chocolate and affect its texture. Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent overheating and promote even melting. Additionally, if you're using a ceramic fondue pot, ensure that it is microwave-safe before placing it in the microwave.

If you're preparing the fondue in advance, let the mixture cool completely before refrigerating it. When you're ready to serve it, gently rewarm the chocolate fondue using a controlled heat source. You can use a microwave, setting it to medium power and heating the fondue in short intervals, or opt for a heatproof bowl placed over a pot of simmering water.

Another way to prevent burning is by adjusting the chocolate fondue's consistency. A thicker fondue is less likely to burn, so if your fondue seems too thin, whisk in some additional cream or milk gradually until you achieve the desired consistency.

Finally, if you're serving the fondue at a table, consider using a tea candle or a small crockpot to keep it warm. These options produce less heat compared to canned Sterno fuel, reducing the risk of overheating.

How to use the fondue set for a romantic meal

A chocolate fondue is a great way to end a romantic meal at home. Here's how to use your fondue set to create a romantic evening for two.

First, choose a spot for your fondue. Instead of setting it up on the kitchen table, why not opt for a spot by the fireplace, on the patio (if the weather is good), or even a floor picnic in the bedroom? Wherever you decide to set up, make sure you have a sturdy surface for the fondue pot and plan for low lighting, soft music, and flickering candlelight to create the perfect ambiance.

Next, prepare your fondue. You can make chocolate fondue with any kind of good-quality chocolate. If you're using dark chocolate, you'll need more cream than you would for milk or white chocolate. For a fondue for two, use 100g of dark chocolate and 125g of fresh double cream, or 100g of milk or white chocolate and 75g/50g of cream, respectively. You can also add a dash of liqueur to your fondue—for dark chocolate, try orange liqueur or salted caramel, or add a tot of whiskey to milk chocolate, and for white chocolate, a shot of Irish cream. Melt the chocolate and cream together using a bain-marie (a heatproof bowl over a pan of boiling water) or in the microwave, using a low setting and short bursts of heat to avoid burning.

Once your fondue is ready, pour it into your fondue pot. You can use a tea light or gel fuel to keep the fondue warm, or, if using an electric fondue pot, adjust the temperature dial to a low setting. If your fondue starts to stiffen, add a little more hot cream and stir.

Now, select your dipping treats. Strawberries are a classic choice for a romantic fondue and can be arranged in a vase with floral foam, or you could opt for heart-shaped cookies. You could also offer a variety of treats, including marshmallows, pretzels, mini doughnuts, churros, or even potato chips! Don't forget to provide fondue forks, bamboo skewers, or small forks for dipping.

Finally, open a bottle of bubbly to complement your chocolate-dipped treats and create a truly special evening.

Frequently asked questions