A Beginner's Guide To Using Your Crate And Barrel Fondue Set

Crate and Barrel's Red Cast Iron Fondue Set is perfect for entertaining guests and family. The retro-looking set includes a cast iron pot and stand, a burner, and eight colour-coded forks. Before using the fondue pot, wash it with mild dish soap and hot water, then rinse and dry thoroughly. When you're ready to start, fill the pot with cheese, chocolate, or oil on the stove, then transfer it to the stand to keep the fondue hot. If you're hosting a party, a fondue set is a great conversation starter. You can offer a variety of dippers, such as bread, meat, and fruit, and even provide different types of fondue, like cheese and chocolate.

Filling the fondue set

Filling your Crate and Barrel fondue set is simple. First, decide on the type of fondue you want to make. The set is compatible with cheese, chocolate, or oil. If you're making cheese fondue, opt for a good melting cheese like Beaufort, Emmental, Gruyere, or Appenzeller. You can melt the cheese with white wine and a little garlic for an authentic Swiss fondue flavour. Alternatively, you can use beer instead of wine, depending on your guests' preferences. If you're making chocolate fondue, use a blend of bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, sugar, butter, and even a dash of red wine. For a truly decadent dessert, offer multiple chocolate fondue options, such as dark, milk, or white chocolate. You can even mix in additional ingredients like caramel and walnuts for a turtle dessert fondue.

Once you've decided on your fondue of choice, it's time to fill the fondue pot. The Crate and Barrel fondue set comes with a cast iron pot that you can place directly on your stove. Fill the pot with your desired ingredients and heat them until they reach the perfect temperature. For cheese fondue, this means melting the cheese until it's smooth and bubbly. For chocolate fondue, melt the chocolate and other ingredients until they form a creamy, decadent mixture. If you're using oil, heat it to a high temperature to cook meat or seafood fondue. Remember to use a high-heat-compatible fondue pot for cooking raw ingredients like meat or seafood.

After your fondue is ready, transfer the pot to the cast iron stand with the burner to keep your fondue hot and bubbly. The burner uses gel packs, which are sold separately, to maintain the perfect temperature for your fondue. With the adjustable air vents on the chrome burner, you can ensure your fondue stays warm and inviting throughout your gathering. Whether you're hosting a fondue party or enjoying a romantic dinner for two, the Crate and Barrel fondue set will add a touch of old-school fun to your evening.

To enhance your fondue experience, Crate and Barrel offers a range of accessories. The set includes eight colour-coded forks, allowing your guests to keep track of their creations. You can also find serving plates, bowls, and napkins to complete your fondue setup. Whether you're craving something sweet or savoury, the Crate and Barrel fondue set provides the perfect opportunity to indulge and create memorable culinary experiences.

Using the fondue set

The Crate and Barrel fondue set is a great way to entertain guests and family. It's perfect for parties, holidays, or a night in, and it's a great conversation starter. The set comes with everything you need to get started, including a durable pot, fondue forks, and fuel.

Before using your fondue set for the first time, wash the fondue pot with mild dish soap and hot water. Rinse it in clear, warm water and dry it thoroughly. When you're ready to use the fondue set, simply fill the enameled cast iron pot with cheese, chocolate, or oil on the stove. Then, transfer it to the cast iron stand with the burner to keep the fondue hot and bubbly. The burner uses gel packs, which are sold separately. The set also includes eight color-coded forks, so your guests can keep track of what they're cooking.

If you're making a cheese fondue, use a good melting cheese such as Beaufort, Emmental, Gruyere, or Appenzeller. Melt the cheese with white wine and a little garlic for an authentic fondue flavor. Beer can also be used as an alternative to wine, depending on your preference. For a dessert fondue, use chocolate and add heavy cream, sugar, butter, and even red wine for a decadent treat.

Remember to cut your dipping items into bite-sized pieces for easier consumption. Use less crumbly, day-old bread and slightly stale cake to keep the mess to a minimum. Always use a trivet to protect the surface that your fondue pot is sitting on, and be careful as fondue forks can get extremely hot. It's best to use room-temperature standard flatware to eat the food instead of eating directly from the forks.

Cleaning the fondue set

Before you start cleaning your fondue set, it's important to let the pot and any leftover contents cool down completely. This is to protect you from burns. Once everything has cooled, use a spatula to remove as much of the leftover contents from the pot as possible. If you need to dispose of used oil, pour it into a container, seal it, and throw it in the trash. Never pour oil down the drain as it can cause plumbing problems.

If there are still some stubborn leftovers stuck to the pot, heat a pot of water on the stove until it almost reaches a boil. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the fondue pot while it's in the sink, then carefully add the heated water. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the entire pot. Leave the pot to sit for 10 minutes, or for burnt-on food, leave it overnight. Check periodically to see if the food is starting to loosen.

After the fondue pot has soaked and most of the residue has come off, empty the water and use a scrub brush or sponge to remove any remaining stuck-on food. Be careful not to use anything too harsh that could scratch the surface of the pot. Wash the entire pot in hot, soapy water, then rinse it thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue. Finally, dry the pot before putting it away.

If you want to clean your fondue pot with soap and water, there are a few different methods you can try:

• Before adding the cheese fondue, rub the fondue pot with a clove of garlic. This will prevent the cheese from sticking to the pot.
• After using the fondue pot, empty it and fill it with ice-cold water, a dishwasher tablet, or a dash of dish soap. Let it soak for 30 minutes, then empty the pot and scrape off the residue with a paper towel.
• Alternatively, fill the empty fondue pot with warm water, a dishwasher tablet, or a dash of dish soap and heat it on the stove until it reaches a boil. Then, empty the pot and scrape off any remaining residue with a paper towel.

Fondue party tips

Planning

Fondue parties are a fun and unique way to socialise with your guests. You can make fondue as healthy or as indulgent as you like, with a variety of sweet and savoury options.

First, decide on the type of fondue you want to make. You can choose from cheese, broth/oil, or chocolate. You could even attempt two or three styles in one night if you're feeling adventurous!

Next, select your ingredients. For cheese fondue, pick a good melting cheese such as Gruyère, Comté, or Fontina, and add white wine and a little garlic. For chocolate fondue, use bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, sugar, butter, and even red wine. If you're making a meat or seafood fondue, you'll need a hot cooking component like oil or broth, and a variety of raw ingredients such as beef cubes, sausage slices, meatballs, or shrimp.

Equipment

In addition to a fondue pot, you'll need a few other things for a successful fondue party:

• Fondue plates
• Extension cords
• Regular flatware (forks, spoons, knives)
• Napkins, one for each guest plus plenty of extras
• Bowls for dips
• Serving plates for raw ingredients
• Fuel for your fondue pot, such as gel pods, tea lights, or an electric heat source

Safety Tips

There are a few health and safety considerations to keep in mind when cooking fondue:

• Cheese fondue is not hot enough to cook raw ingredients.
• Hot oil can be used for cooking but be sure to pat dry any items before placing them in the oil to prevent splatters.
• Keep children and pets away from unattended oil pots.
• Do not use water to put out an oil fire. Instead, cover the pot with a lid to reduce the oxygen supply.
• Use a trivet to protect your surfaces from the hot fondue pot.
• Fondue forks can get extremely hot, so do not eat food straight off them.

Extras

To elevate your fondue party, consider the following:

• Create a theme, such as a 70s disco party or a campfire-themed evening.
• Decorate your table with candles and flowers or natural elements like wooden plates and botanicals.
• Provide a variety of dippers for your guests, such as bread, vegetables, apples, cured meats, or even tempura-battered shrimp and vegetables.
• For dessert fondue, use cold fruit as it will hold the chocolate better and result in fewer drips.

Fondue recipes

Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue is a Swiss dish that gained popularity in the US in the 1960s and 70s. It is made with a combination of cheeses, wine, and a little flour, melted together in a fondue pot. The best cheeses for fondue are those with a buttery, creamy texture that melts smoothly, such as Gruyère, Swiss cheese, fontina, gouda, and emmental. For a classic Swiss fondue, a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses is best.

• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 pound shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/2 pound shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1 French baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes

To make the fondue, bring the wine to a simmer in your fondue pot, then mix in the flour and nutmeg. Next, add the cheeses a little at a time, stirring constantly until everything is melted and well combined. Serve with cubed bread, as well as meat, potatoes, sliced apples, vegetables, crackers, chips, or pretzels for dipping.

Chocolate Fondue

For dessert, you can't go wrong with a chocolate fondue. Typical chocolate fondue ingredients include bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, sugar, and butter. For a more indulgent option, you can add red wine to the mix. If you want to offer a variety of options to your guests, consider providing multiple types of chocolate fondue, such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. You can also mix in additional ingredients like caramel and walnuts for a turtle dessert fondue.

• Bittersweet chocolate
• Heavy cream
• Sugar
• Butter
• Your choice of dippers (e.g. marshmallows, bananas, strawberries, figs, graham crackers, pretzels, or pound cake)

To make the fondue, melt the chocolate in your fondue pot, then add the heavy cream, sugar, and butter, stirring until everything is well combined. Serve with an assortment of dippers. For best results, use cold fruit, as it will hold the chocolate better and result in fewer drips.

Meat and Seafood Fondue

For a heartier fondue option, you can try a meat or seafood fondue. This type of fondue requires a hot cooking component, such as oil, and a fondue pot made of a high-heat-compatible material like cast iron, stainless steel, or copper. Popular ingredients for this type of fondue include beef cubes, sausage slices, meatballs, and shrimp.

• Vegetable oil, olive oil, or broth
• Your choice of raw meat or seafood (e.g. beef cubes, sausage slices, meatballs, or shrimp)
• Dipping sauces (optional)

To make the fondue, heat your cooking oil or broth in the fondue pot to a high temperature. Once the oil is hot enough, use your fondue forks to cook the raw meat or seafood in the pot. If desired, provide a variety of dipping sauces for the cooked meat or seafood.

Frequently asked questions