Fondue Burner Basics: A Step-By-Step Guide To Melting

Fondue is a fun way to enjoy a meal with friends and family, but it's important to know how to use a fondue burner safely. Most fondue sets come with alcohol burners, which use liquid alcohol fuel or gel packets containing gelatinized alcohol fuel. Before lighting your burner, ensure you're using the right type of fondue pot and fondue fuel. Fondue burners typically have a removable bottom half, allowing for the insertion of a gel cartridge or the pouring of gel fuel directly into the burner. When using liquid alcohol fuel, it's crucial to never overfill the burner and always wipe away any spills immediately. To light the burner, use a match to ignite the fuel through the centre hole, then adjust the flame as needed. Always keep the burner on a stable, heat-resistant surface and away from children. Once you're done, simply cover the burner to extinguish the flame.

Using liquid alcohol fuel

To use liquid alcohol fuel, first, 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. Place the burner cover on top of the base, and set the burner firmly on the fondue stand. Then remove the burner cover.

Next, light a match and use it to ignite the fuel through the hole in the centre of the burner. Be careful with the match and ensure it is extinguished after lighting the burner. You can then adjust the flame by exposing or covering the holes in the top of the burner.

When you have finished, simply replace the cover on the burner to smother the flame.

Liquid alcohol fuel cannot be purchased online and must be bought in-store. It is usually available at your local grocery store, near the BBQ supplies.

Using gel fuel

Step 1: Prepare the Fondue Burner

Ensure your fondue burner is suitable for gel fuel. Some burners have a removable bottom half, which is designed to hold the gel fuel cartridge. If your burner does not have a removable bottom, do not try to force it open. Instead, you will pour the gel fuel directly into the burner. Place the burner on a safe work area, like a kitchen counter, and ensure it is at room temperature before refilling.

Step 2: Fill the Burner with Gel Fuel

If using a gel fuel cartridge, insert it into the metal casing of the fondue burner. If using pourable gel fuel, carefully pour it into the bottom of the burner. The burner should have holes or a mesh surface with an absorbent pad inside. Stop pouring when the gel fuel reaches the level of these holes or the mesh. Wipe off any spills.

Step 3: Return the Burner to the Fondue Pot

Place the refilled burner underneath your fondue pot. Ensure all flammable materials, such as napkins or paper, are kept away from the burner.

Step 4: Light the Burner

Use a match to carefully light the burner. Bring the lit match towards the holes in the burner. Once lit, discard the used match.

Step 5: Adjust the Temperature

You can adjust the temperature by covering or exposing more of the holes in the burner. Exposing more holes will increase airflow and create a higher temperature.

Step 6: Extinguishing the Flame

When you are finished, simply place the cover on the burner to smother the flame.

Always read the instructions provided with your fondue burner and follow safety precautions when using gel fuel. Enjoy your fondue night!

Safety precautions

To use a fondue burner, you must first ensure you are using the right type of fondue pot and fondue fuel. Fondue sets typically come with alcohol burners that use liquid alcohol fuel or gel packets containing gelatinized alcohol fuel.

• Never fill the alcohol burner while it is still hot and never overfill it. Always wait for the burner to cool off before refilling it with fuel.
• Take the burner away from the fondue pot to a safe area, like a kitchen counter, when refilling it.
• Carefully pour the liquid fuel into the bottom of the burner. Stop pouring when the liquid reaches the holes or mesh in the burner.
• If you spill any fuel on or around the burner, wipe it off before lighting it.
• Ensure all flammable materials, such as napkins or paper, are kept away from the burner.
• Only use 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.
• To adjust the flame, use the handle on the base of the burner to raise or lower it by exposing or covering the holes in the top.
• To extinguish the flame, place the burner cover on top of the burner base.
• Always wait for the burner to cool down to room temperature before refilling it with fuel.
• If using a butane burner, note that these provide a more adjustable heat source but are more expensive and usually need to be purchased separately.
• Do not heat the base of your fondue pot when it is empty. Always put water or oil in the bottom first.
• When the pot is hot, do not place it in contact with anything cold, such as cold water or a cold surface. Instead, place it on a neutral surface, such as a wooden board or cloth.
• If using gel fuel cartridges, ensure your burner has a removable bottom half. Remove the bottom half and insert the gel cartridge into the metal casing. Then, place the top of the burner with the air opening onto the bottom part.

Adjusting the flame

Once your fondue burner is lit, you can adjust the flame to your desired temperature.

Fondue burners usually have a handle on the base of the burner that can be moved to raise or lower the flame. Moving the handle will expose or cover the air holes in the top of the burner, controlling the amount of oxygen that reaches the flame. The more air that reaches the flame, the hotter it will burn.

If your fondue burner does not have a handle, it may have a removable bottom half. In this case, you can adjust the flame by removing the bottom half of the burner and inserting a gel fuel cartridge. The gel fuel will burn at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol fuel. You can also use liquid alcohol fuel in the removable bottom half of the burner, but be careful not to overfill it as this can be dangerous.

If you are using a tea light candle as your heat source, you can adjust the flame by moving the candle closer or further away from the bottom of the saucepan. Tea light candles will only provide a low level of heat, so they are not suitable for cheese fondue.

Extinguishing the flame

When you are done with your fondue, it is important to safely extinguish the flame. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do so:

Firstly, always ensure that you have kept the alcohol burner cover within easy reach during the fondue session. This will enable you to quickly and safely extinguish the flame when cooking is complete. To extinguish the flame, simply place the burner cover on top of the burner base, covering it completely. This will cut off the oxygen supply to the flame and cause it to go out.

If you are using a gel fuel cartridge or liquid fuel, you can also extinguish the flame by covering the burner with its lid. This is a useful safety feature, especially if you need to quickly smother the flame in an emergency.

It is important to note that you should never attempt to extinguish the flame by blowing on it. This could be dangerous and cause the fuel to splatter. Always use the burner cover or lid to safely extinguish the flame.

Once the flame is extinguished, allow the fondue pot to cool completely on its stand before handling or cleaning it. This may take some time, so be patient and do not rush the process. It is also important to make sure that all flammable materials are kept away from the burner, even after the flame has been extinguished. This includes items such as napkins, paper, or any other combustible materials.

Additionally, if your burner is running out of fuel during the fondue session, do not attempt to add more fuel while the burner is still lit. Always use the burner cover to extinguish the flame first, then allow the burner to cool for a few minutes before refuelling. This is an important safety precaution to prevent any accidents or fuel spillage.

Frequently asked questions