Tillie Doyle
A mini chocolate fondue fountain is a great way to serve food and delight guests at any party or event. Here are some tips on how to use one:
- Wash and dry all parts of the fountain before assembling.
- Attach the auger tube to the base, then install the auger by sliding it down the centre of the tube and twisting it clockwise.
- Lock the crown in place to secure the auger.
- Test the fountain by plugging it into an electricity source and running the machine without chocolate.
- Buy chocolate with a higher cocoa butter content, or add vegetable or canola oil to soften the texture.
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave or with a double-boiler, then pour it into the base of the fountain.
- Set the fountain on a sturdy table with a dark-coloured tablecloth to catch any drips or splashes.
- Provide snacks and fresh fruit for dipping, such as pretzels, pound cake, meringues, bananas, strawberries, and pineapple.
- Supply skewers, toothpicks, paper plates, and napkins for your guests.
- Check the fountain throughout the event and remove any fallen food from the basin to prevent jamming.
- Clean the fountain immediately after use by removing excess chocolate and disassembling and washing the parts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fountain size | 10.2 inches tall |
| Chocolate capacity | 1 lb |
| Chocolate type | Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate |
| Dipping ideas | Strawberries, cake pops, brownies, fruit |
| Ease of cleaning | Difficult |
| Ease of use | Easy to set up |
| Performance | Poor |
| Quality | Poor |
| Temperature | Not hot enough |
| Value | Poor |
What You'll Learn
What type of chocolate to use
You can use any type of chocolate in your chocolate fondue fountain. However, the type of chocolate you use will affect the taste and texture of the chocolate. Couverture chocolate, which is of higher quality and contains 32-39% cocoa butter, will taste better and look silkier. If you are unable to get your hands on couverture chocolate, you can always add a tablespoon of canola or vegetable oil per 5 pounds of chocolate to smooth out the texture.
If you are using dark chocolate, pay attention to the cacao percentage. A high cacao content will result in bitter-tasting chocolate. Try to stick to chocolate with a cacao percentage of 60-70%.
If you are looking for a chocolate that will melt and stay at a liquid consistency, chocolate melting wafers are your best bet. They are designed to be used in chocolate fountains and will melt quickly and smoothly.
Although you can use white, milk, or dark chocolate chips, it is recommended to use melting wafers instead. Chocolate chips contain stabilizing ingredients that help them maintain their shape, which increases the risk of burning.
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How to melt the chocolate
Melting chocolate is the first step to setting up your chocolate fondue fountain. The amount of chocolate you melt will depend on the size of your fountain and the number of guests you are serving. Home fountains typically need at least 3 pounds of chocolate to avoid gaps in the flow and can usually hold up to 5 pounds at one time.
There are several ways to melt chocolate:
Microwave:
Place all your chocolate and any oil or cream in a silicone or glass bowl. Heat for 1 minute on high, then stir and put it back in for 4 rounds of 20 seconds, stirring between each one. After the fourth round, let the chocolate sit in the microwave for 30 seconds before taking it out and stirring again. Heat for about 2 more minutes in 20-second bursts, until all melted evenly.
Stovetop:
For the stovetop double-boiler method, you'll need a large pot and a large glass bowl that fits on top of the pot. Heat 2-3 inches of water on high in the pot, and once boiling, switch to low heat and place the bowl on top, making sure it fits well enough that no steam can escape. Add the chocolate and any oil or cream to your bowl, and over the next 10-15 minutes, stir the mixture until well-combined and lump-free.
Instant Pot:
Add 2 cups of water into the Instant Pot. Press the 'Saute' button and set it to 'Less' mode. When the water starts to simmer, place a metal bowl on top of the Instant Pot. Pour chocolate into it and use a heat-safe spatula to stir and melt the chocolate with one hand, while using the other hand to hold the bowl with an oven mitt. Stir until lumps dissolve.
Fondue Pot:
You can also prepare the chocolate mixture in an electric fondue pot set on 'Low', stirring frequently.
When melting chocolate, it is important to note that you must not let any water get into the chocolate, as even a few drops can cause it to seize. Additionally, the chocolate should be melted slowly to avoid granulation.
Once your chocolate is melted, it is ready to be poured into your fondue fountain. Follow the instructions that come with your chocolate fountain to determine how much you will need to start with.
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How to assemble the fountain
To assemble the fountain, you will need to follow the instructions that come with your specific model. However, there are some general steps that you can follow:
- Wash the parts of the fountain with warm soapy water and allow them to air-dry.
- Attach the auger tube to the base. The tube should stand straight from the base. If your auger tube has multiple parts, lock these together first to create a longer tube.
- Attach the tiers to the auger tube, sliding the largest tier down first and locking it into place, followed by the second-largest tier, and so on. Make sure to slide the tiers face-down so they don't trap the chocolate as it runs down the fountain.
- Install the auger by sliding it down the centre of the auger tube and twisting it clockwise into the base until you feel light resistance. The auger looks like a corkscrew and is what drives the chocolate up the fountain.
- Lock the crown in place to secure the auger from the top end.
- Test the fountain by plugging it into the electricity and running the machine without chocolate to ensure it is functioning properly. Do not turn on the heat.
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What foods to pair with the chocolate
There are so many foods that can be paired with chocolate fondue. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Fruits
Chocolate-covered strawberries are a classic for a reason, but you can also try pineapple, kiwi, dragon fruit, papaya, fresh coconut chunks, mangoes, cherries, oranges, seedless grapes, apples, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, bananas, and dried fruit.
Sweet Treats
Try dipping marshmallows, donuts, sour cream brownies, frozen waffles, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, empanadas, coffee cake, sugar cookies, meringues, pretzels, biscotti, cream puffs, and vanilla wafers.
Cakes
Chocolate fondue is also delicious when paired with cake. Try dipping pound cake, angel food cake, sponge cake, carrot cake, red velvet cake, chocolate cake, fruit cake, wedding cake, or even cheesecake.
Cookies
Cookies are another perfect answer when you're looking for what to dip in chocolate fondue. Try shortbread, peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate sandwich cookies, vanilla wafers, oatmeal raisin cookies, snickerdoodles, ginger snaps, or even fortune cookies.
Other Ideas
Some other unique ideas for foods to pair with chocolate fondue include potato chips, candy bars, potato chips, licorice, jelly beans, and potato chips.
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How to clean the fountain
How to Clean a Mini Chocolate Fondue Fountain
Cleaning a mini chocolate fondue fountain is a relatively simple process, but it must be done promptly after use, before the chocolate has a chance to harden.
Firstly, switch off the fountain and use a flexible silicone spatula to scrape as much chocolate as possible from the tower. Remove the cap from the tower and set it aside on a plate or paper towel. Next, reach inside the tower and wiggle the auger loose, then slowly lift it out. To clean the auger, pinch its spiral curves between your thumb and forefinger, and "unscrew" it with your other hand. Set the auger aside with the cap.
If your fountain is a smaller, home unit, the tower will likely be one piece, but in larger units, the tiers may lift off and the tower itself may come apart in sections for easier cleaning. Scrape chocolate from the inside of the tower with a spatula, or push a damp cloth or paper towel through it to remove as much chocolate as possible.
Pour any remaining chocolate from the base unit into a bowl if you plan to reuse it, or into the trash if you don't. Scrape the bowl clean with your spatula. Transfer the auger and tower pieces to a sink or bowl of hot, soapy water to soak. This will loosen any remaining chocolate.
Dishwasher-Proof Pieces
If your fountain has dishwasher-proof pieces, detach them and place them in the dishwasher. The motor and pump should never be placed in the dishwasher, as they are electrical components. It is recommended to give these pieces a quick wash in soapy water before putting them in the dishwasher.
Washing by Hand
If your fountain is not dishwasher-proof, or if you don't plan to run the machine immediately, clean the pieces by hand. Use a clean cloth or sponge to wipe down the auger's threads. You will usually find small corners at the bottom of the auger where it connects to the base unit, where chocolate can get stuck. Clean these out with a brush, or run hot water over the area until the chocolate is gone. Rinse the auger and set it aside to drain.
Wash the tiers with your cloth, if they are detachable, then rinse and set aside to dry. Wash the outside of the tower with your cloth or sponge. If the tiers are permanently attached to the tower, clean carefully underneath them, as chocolate tends to collect in the corner where the underside of the tier meets the tower's tube.
Clean the inside of the tower tube with a soft bottle brush, or by pulling a cloth or wet paper towels through it. Repeat until no more chocolate is coming away.
Look closely at the bottom and top of the tower, where it connects to the base and the cap. You will usually find threads or another type of locking mechanism here, which are prone to collecting chocolate. Clean these small crevices with a cloth, a soft-bristled brush, or toothpicks. Designs vary, so you may need to try a few methods to get all the chocolate out. Rinse the tower and set it aside to drain, then repeat with the tower's cap.
Wring out your cloth or sponge so it is just damp, and wipe out the bowl of the base unit. Wet the cloth again and give the base a good wash, then rinse with clean water and set aside to dry. Never submerge the base unit in water, as it contains electrical components.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact steps to assemble your mini chocolate fondue fountain will depend on the make and model of the fountain. However, in general, you will need to attach the auger tube to the base, install the auger, and lock the crown in place. Make sure to refer to the instruction manual that came with your fountain for specific instructions.
You can use any type of chocolate in your mini chocolate fondue fountain. However, a couverture chocolate, which is of higher quality and contains 32-39% cocoa butter, can taste better and look silkier when running in the fountain. If you decide to use any other sort of chocolate, add 1 cup of vegetable or canola oil per 5 pounds (2.3 kg) of chocolate to soften the texture.
You can melt the chocolate in a microwave (for at least three minutes) or with a double-boiler. After the chocolate has melted, place it in tubs inside a plastic or Styrofoam cooler so as to insulate it from the outside and keep it warm and liquid. Make sure to melt the chocolate only a couple of hours before your event so that it will remain warm and liquid.
There are many foods that go well with melted chocolate, including pretzels, cut-up pieces of pound cake, meringues, bananas, strawberries, dried apricot, maraschino cherries, grapes, and pineapple. You can also serve more exotic fruits such as star fruit, dragon fruit, or coconut chunks. Make sure your snacks are in bite-size pieces so it’s easier to dip them in the chocolate.
