Alcohol Burner Fondue: A Beginner's Guide To Melting Fun

Fondue is a fun way to enjoy a meal with friends and family. To have a great fondue experience, it is important to know how to light your fondue burner safely. Fondue sets usually come with alcohol burners, which use liquid alcohol fuel or gel packets containing gelatinized alcohol fuel. The Swiss prefer a traditional alcohol burner under a thick-bottomed cast iron or stainless steel pot. The height and heat of the flame are determined by how much air is let into its chamber. It is important to note that liquid alcohol is a dangerous fuel as it is easy to spill. Therefore, it is recommended to use fondue gel fuel as an alternative. When refilling the burner, always wait for it to cool off, then carefully pour the liquid to avoid overfilling. Make sure all flammable materials are away from the burner and use only a lit match to ignite the fuel.

How to use an alcohol burner fondue

Use the right fondue pot and fondue fuel

To use an alcohol burner fondue, it is important to select the right type of fondue pot and fondue fuel. The Swiss prefer a traditional alcohol burner used under a thick-bottomed cast iron or stainless steel pot. The pot should be made of metal, ideally stainless steel, for handling hot oils and broths. Look for strong handles on the side of the pot for easy handling, and a stable base that is not easily knocked over.

Most burners are fuelled with denatured alcohol or fondue fuel gel. Alcohol burners are the hottest tabletop heat source and are ideal for heating oils that require high temperatures for cooking meats. The height and heat of the flame are determined by how much air is let into its chamber. Alcohol burners are meant to be used with fondue fuel or denatured alcohol only. If using denatured alcohol, your burner will come with an insert that looks like a strainer. This goes inside the burner and keeps the flame under control while burning. If you are using fondue fuel gel, you will not need the insert as the gel itself helps to control the rate at which it will burn.

Fill your alcohol burner with 2-3 ounces of fuel. Using more is not recommended and may cause excessive flames. You can plan on 3 ounces of fuel burning for approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on how high you set your flame. You can use 2 ounces of fuel if you plan on less time. Be careful to wipe off the edges of the burner if any alcohol is spilled before you set it on its stand.

To 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. Never tip the burner to ignite! You might cause fuel to leak and catch fire. Once the fuel is lit, use the adjustable handle to control the size of the flame. Open more holes to make the flames higher. Close the holes to lower the flames.

How to light an alcohol burner safely

To light an alcohol burner safely, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure you are using the correct type of fondue pot and fuel. Alcohol fondue fuel is a popular choice, but it is highly flammable and can be dangerous due to its spillability. Fondue gel fuel is often a safer alternative.

Before refilling the burner, allow it to cool down. Then, carefully pour the liquid into the bottom of the burner until it reaches the holes or mesh with an absorbent pad inside. Wipe off any spills on or around the burner, and ensure all flammable materials are cleared from the area.

If you are using a gel fuel cartridge, remove the bottom half of the burner and insert the cartridge. If you are using gel fuel without a cartridge, remove the bottom portion and pour the gel directly into the burner.

Once the burner is prepared, use a long-reach lighter to ignite it. Do not use matches or a short-reach lighter, as this could result in burns.

After lighting the burner, adjust the openings to your desired temperature. Always keep a close eye on the burner and never leave it unattended. When you are finished using the fondue, cover the burner to extinguish the flame safely.

How to light a gel burner

To light a gel burner for a fondue, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure you are using the right type of fondue pot and fondue gel fuel. If you are using a gel cartridge, you can insert it into the metal casing of the burner. If you are using pourable gel fuel, carefully pour the gel into the bottom of the fondue burner. It is important to note that not all burners have a removable bottom half, so do not force yours to open.

Next, place the burner on a safe work surface, such as a kitchen counter. Make sure the burner is on a level surface and away from any flammable materials. If you are using a gel cartridge, place the top of the burner with the opening for air on top of the bottom part. If you are using pourable gel fuel, return the top of the burner to the fondue pot.

Now you can light the burner. Use a match or a lighter to ignite the gel fuel. Hold the lit match or lighter close to the holes in the burner. Once the burner is lit, adjust the openings to achieve the desired temperature. The larger the opening, the higher the heat.

When you have finished using the fondue, simply place the cover on the burner to smother the flame.

It is important to follow safety precautions when using a gel burner for fondue. Always read the instructions and make sure you are using the correct type of fuel for your burner. Keep flammable materials away from the burner and never leave it unattended while lit.

How to fill an alcohol burner

To fill an alcohol burner for a fondue, follow these steps:

• Ensure you are using the correct type of fondue pot and fondue fuel. Alcohol burners are designed to use only denatured alcohol or liquid fondue fuel. Denatured alcohol can be purchased at hardware stores and drug stores, while liquid fondue fuel is available at gourmet shops and some specialty stores.
• Take the burner away from the fondue pot to a safe area, like a kitchen counter.
• Wait for the burner to cool off if you are refilling it.
• Carefully pour 2-3 ounces of liquid fuel into the burner. Use 2 ounces for 1 hour of burning time, and up to 3 ounces for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Do not overfill the burner, as this may cause excessive flames.
• Wipe away any spilled alcohol or fuel immediately.
• Return the refilled burner (unlit) to the table and place it underneath the fondue pot. Ensure that all flammable materials are kept away from the burner.
• Open the air holes to the maximum opening.
• Use a match to ignite the fuel at the center hole of the burner. Do not use a lighter or tip the burner to ignite, as this can be dangerous.
• Once the burner is lit, discard the used match.
• Adjust the openings to control the flame size and achieve the desired temperature.

Remember to always handle the alcohol burner with caution and follow safety instructions.

How to extinguish an alcohol burner

To extinguish an alcohol burner, you can use the cover that comes with the burner and place it over the flame. This will smother the fire. If you have misplaced the cover, you can use a thick, damp cloth and hold it over the flame for a few minutes while it cools. Be sure to use a thick cloth, as thin cloths can ignite. Alternatively, you can use baking soda, dirt, or a pan to smother the flame.

If you have spilled alcohol and it has ignited, do not use water to extinguish the flame. Water will spread the fire and potentially cause an explosion. Instead, use dirt, baking soda, or a heavy cloth to smother the flame. If there is nothing around the spill that can catch fire, you can let it burn out.

When refilling an alcohol burner, always wait for the burner to cool before refilling it. Never refill it while it is still hot or burning. Always wipe up any spills with a cloth or paper towel. Keep the burner away from flammable materials, such as napkins and paper.

Frequently asked questions