Fondue Ramekins: What's Their Purpose?

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience that involves dipping pieces of food into a shared pot of cheese or chocolate. While cheese and chocolate are the most common types of fondue, a fondue set can also be used for heating broth or oil to cook meat. Fondue sets typically include a pot, a heat source (either electric or manual), and fondue forks. The pot is usually made of stainless steel, ceramic, or enameled cast iron, and can range in size from small, intimate portions to larger pots that can feed a whole family. The heat source can be electric, with adjustable temperature settings, or manual, using an open flame such as a candle or fuel burner. The fondue forks are designed to spear chunks of food and are usually made of stainless steel with heat-resistant handles. When choosing a fondue set, it's important to consider factors such as heating style, material, size, temperature control, safety measures, and the number of forks included.

What are the best fondue sets for a dinner party?

Hosting a fondue dinner party is a fun and interactive way to entertain your guests. Fondue is a dish in which small pieces of food are dipped into a hot sauce or cooking medium such as oil or broth. It's a social and versatile way to enjoy a variety of delicious foods. Here are some of the best fondue sets to elevate your next dinner party:

Best Overall: Sur La Table Stainless Steel Fondue Set

This set stands out for its practicality and aesthetics. It features a sturdy base that securely holds the burner and prevents tipping. It also includes colour-coded fondue forks with handy slots to keep them upright. While it uses an open flame, which may be less ideal for young children, the metal material wipes clean easily, making it a top choice for fondue enthusiasts.

Best Style: Swissmar Heidi Ceramic Fondue Set

The Swissmar Heidi Ceramic Fondue Set boasts a stunning design featuring a gorgeous black-and-white mountain motif. It includes a traditional wrought iron rechaud and stainless steel forks. The interior is coated with a Teflon anti-stick layer, making cleanup a breeze. While gel fuel can be expensive, this set can be placed centrally without the mess of cords. It's a beautiful and user-friendly option for your fondue party.

Best Splurge: Le Creuset Fondue Set

If you're willing to splurge, the Le Creuset Fondue Set is a covetable option. Known for its excellent heat retention and distribution, this set keeps your fondue at the ideal temperature throughout your dinner party. It includes four colour-coded forks and is compatible with various heat sources, including gas, electric, halogen, ceramic, induction, oven, or broiler. Le Creuset's signature enameled cast iron and colourful design make this set a worthy investment.

Best Electric: Artestia Electric Fondue Pot Set

The Artestia Electric Fondue Pot Set is an excellent choice if you're serving a large group. This electric set is straightforward to use; simply plug it in, turn the dial, and adjust the temperature to your desired level. It includes eight colour-coded forks and features heat-resistant side handles, making it a safe and convenient option if children are joining the fun.

Best Candle-Lit: Boska Candlelight Twinkle Fondue Set

For a romantic and charming fondue experience, consider the Boska Candlelight Twinkle Fondue Set. This set includes five candles and requires no fuel gel, making it a mess-free option. Its rustic oak accents and smooth ceramic material create a chic and modern design. While it may take a bit longer to warm up, the steady temperature provided by the candles will give you that desirable gooey fondue consistency.

Best Cast Iron: Swissmar 9-Piece Lugano Fondue Set

The Swissmar 9-Piece Lugano Fondue Set is a beautiful and traditional option crafted by Swiss experts. Available in six stunning shades, including metallic black, cherry, and blue, this set includes a wrought iron rechaud, six stainless steel heat-resistant forks with wooden handles, and a ceramic pot. It's a functional and elegant centerpiece for your table that will impress your guests.

Best Small Set: Omniware Ceramic Fondue Set

For more intimate gatherings, the Omniware Ceramic Fondue Set is a lightweight and portable option. This set includes four colour-coded forks and is ideal for two to four people. While it may not get as hot as some larger sets, it stays warm, making it a great choice for fondue beginners.

Best for Beginners: Swissmar Red Arolla Electric Fondue Set

The Swissmar Red Arolla Electric Fondue Set is a user-friendly electric option that simplifies fondue preparation. It features a heat control dial, an indicator light, and convenient numbered fondue forks. While it may lack the traditional design of some sets, its quick heating and ease of use make it an excellent choice for busy households.

Best for Chocolate: Swissmar Sweetheart Chocolate Fondue Set

The Swissmar Sweetheart Chocolate Fondue Set is perfect for solo fondue enjoyment or sharing with a friend. This travel-friendly ceramic mug sits over a tea light candle, providing a low flame that's ideal for melting chocolate. The convenient fork hole in the handle keeps your utensil accessible and clean. Indulge in chocolate fondue with this charming and functional set.

What are the best fondue sets for beginners?

Fondue sets are a great way to enjoy an interactive dining experience with friends and family. Here are some of the best fondue sets for beginners:

Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot

Cuisinart's electric fondue pot is an excellent choice for beginners, offering simple setup, accurate temperature control, and easy cleanup. It features eight heat settings, a removable nonstick-coated pot, and colour-coded forks. While it is designed for a smaller group, it is a versatile option for all types of fondue.

Nostalgia 1.5-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot

This electric fondue pot is a budget-friendly option that is easy to use and offers good performance. It has 11 heat settings and includes six colour-coded fondue forks. However, the insert feels less sturdy and needs constant monitoring to prevent overheating.

Swissmar Lugano 9-Piece Cheese Fondue Set

The Swissmar Lugano fondue set is a beautiful and sturdy traditional-style fondue pot. It has a 2-quart enameled cast iron pot that can be used on the stove, retaining heat well. The wrought-iron base includes a gel fuel container, providing heat for your fondue. It is easy to clean but be cautious of potential scratches from the fondue forks over time.

Cuisinart 13-Piece Cast Iron Fondue Set

This cast iron fondue set is a versatile and attractive option for beginners. It can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for meat fondue, and it performs well with cheese or chocolate too. The set includes a stand, six forks, and has excellent heat distribution and retention.

Dash Deluxe Stainless Steel Fondue Maker

The Dash Deluxe fondue maker is perfect for fondue parties, with eight colour-coded forks and attachable ingredient cups. It has a precise temperature dial and a removable nonstick stainless steel pot for easy cleaning. However, the electric cord is on the shorter side, which may be a hassle for gatherings.

These fondue sets provide a range of options for beginners, offering convenience, performance, and versatility to suit different needs and preferences.

What are the best fondue sets for chocolate?

Ramekins are small dishes that are part of a fondue set. They are used for serving nuts, fruit, or other small snacks, and for preparing ingredients before cooking. They are also used for making individual portions of desserts such as chocolate fondue.

Now, here is an overview of some of the best fondue sets for chocolate:

Best Overall, Electric: Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot

Rated highly in testing, this electric fondue pot is very attractive and has a brushed finish on the bowl and ring, and a mirrored finish on the stand and handles. The pot has eight heat settings and is easy to clean. It can be used with any type of fondue, including oil, broth, chocolate, or cheese.

Best Overall, Traditional: Swissmar Lugano 9-Piece Cheese Fondue Set

The Swissmar Lugano set has a beautiful, rustic aesthetic and is great for traditional cheese fondue meals. The cast iron construction retains heat well and can be used on a stove, eliminating the need for an extra pot to melt the cheese. The set includes six fondue forks and a gel container.

Best Budget: Nostalgia 1.5-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot

This affordable option is made of durable stainless steel and has eleven variable temperature settings. It comes with six color-coded fondue forks. The inner pot and forks are dishwasher-safe, but they are also easy to clean by hand.

Best Small: Swissmar Sierra Iron Fondue

The Swissmar Sierra Iron Fondue set includes a 1.6-quart fondue pot with handles, six forks, a splatter ring, a stand, a fuel burner, and a grooved wooden base. The heavy, thick enameled cast iron retains heat at both low and high temperatures, so your fondue will stay at a consistent temperature.

Best for Chocolate: Nostalgia 24-Ounce Chocolate Fondue Fountain

If you love chocolate fondue, why not opt for a chocolate fountain? This fondue set holds up to two pounds of chocolate and keeps it flowing over three tiers. It has separate switches for heating and the motor, and it is easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning and storage.

Best for Parties: Dash Deluxe Stainless Steel Fondue Maker

If you're planning a fondue party, the Dash Deluxe Stainless Steel Fondue Maker is a great choice. It comes with eight color-coded forks and attachable ingredient cups. The pot has markings to indicate minimum and maximum fill levels, and it is easy to clean as it is dishwasher-safe.

Best Cast Iron Fondue Set: Le Creuset Enamelled Cast Iron Fondue Set

Crafted from top-quality cast iron, the Le Creuset set keeps food hot and is super-easy to clean, thanks to its enamelled interior. The set includes six wooden and stainless-steel forks and is fit for grill, oven, hob, and induction, with an adjustable burner.

Most Versatile Fondue Set: Princess Fondue Set

This elegant, electric 1.5-litre fondue set has an easy temperature controller, a cast iron dish with bamboo handles, a housing stand, and eight color-coded forks.

Best Mini Fondue Set: Boska Tapas Fondue Set

For a fun starter or as part of a winter tapas feast, the Boska Tapas Fondue Set is ideal. It has a capacity of 300ml (which is 175g of cheese), so there's plenty to share. The pot sits on a small wooden stand and is kept warm by a tealight. It can also be used for chocolate or small quantities of sauces and dips.

What are the best cast iron fondue sets?

Ramekins are small dishes that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as holding ingredients, serving condiments, or cooking side dishes. They are often included in fondue sets, which typically consist of a fondue pot, a burner, and various utensils such as forks and serving dishes. Here are some of the best cast iron fondue sets available:

Swissmar Lugano 2-Quart Cast Iron Cheese Fondue Set

This set features a simple design and comes in a variety of colours. The cast iron fondue pot has an enameled interior, ensuring that cheese or chocolate won't stick to the sides. It sits on a wrought iron réchaud with a base tray, providing even heat distribution. The set includes six fondue forks with sturdy faux-wood handles, giving it a classic look. It is one of the more expensive options, but its quality and performance make it a worthwhile investment.

Kitchencraft Masterclass Cast Iron Fondue Set

This enameled cast iron fondue set includes a versatile burner that uses either gel fuel or methylated spirits, making it ideal for melting cheese or chocolate. The set comes with six colour-coded forks for easy identification, and a five-year guarantee ensures its durability. It is easy to carry and transport, making it a convenient option for fondue lovers. However, some users have noted that the fuel source could be better, as it may not get hot enough for certain types of fondue.

Cuisinart 13-Piece Cast Iron Fondue Set

This enameled cast iron fondue set is perfect for meat fondue, whether it's "Bourguignonne" or "Fleischfondue". The cast iron pot can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for various types of fondue, including cheese or chocolate. It has excellent heat distribution and retention, keeping the contents consistently heated. The set is easy to clean, either by hand or in the dishwasher. However, it has a smaller capacity of 1.5 quarts, which may not be suitable for larger groups.

Staub Mini Chocolate Fondue Set

This adorable and heavy-duty set is perfect for an intimate date night. Made by the trusted brand Staub, this miniature set includes a cocotte that is stove- or oven-safe, and a separate cast-iron base that keeps everything stable and secure. The set comes with four forks, but due to its small size, it is best suited for two people. While it is a high-quality option, it is quite expensive given its limited capacity.

What are the best electric fondue sets?

Fondue sets are a great way to enjoy an interactive dining experience with friends and family. Here is a list of some of the best electric fondue sets:

Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot

This electric fondue pot is an excellent choice for those seeking convenience and style. It features a brushed finish on the bowl and ring, with a mirrored finish on the stand and handles. The pot has eight heat settings, making it suitable for various types of fondue, including oil, broth, chocolate, and cheese. The pot is also dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. It has a 3-quart capacity and comes with eight colour-coded forks. The only downside is that the fork rest sits loosely on top of the pot.

Nostalgia 1.5-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot

If you're looking for an affordable option, the Nostalgia stainless steel electric fondue pot is a great choice. It has a sturdy stainless steel housing and comes with six colour-coded forks. The pot has eleven variable temperature settings, making it suitable for chocolate or cheese fondue. The external housing is very sturdy, but the insert is made of thinner metal. The inner pot and forks are dishwasher-safe, but they are also easy to clean by hand.

Swissmar Sierra Iron Fondue

The Swissmar Sierra Iron Fondue set will impress your guests with its gorgeous design. It includes a 1.6-quart fondue pot, six forks, a splatter ring, a stand, a fuel burner, and a wooden base. The pot is made of heavy, thick enameled cast iron, which retains heat effectively. It is suitable for meat, cheese, or chocolate fondue and can also be used for soups, hot dips, and sauces. However, the fuel must be purchased separately.

Cuisinart 13-Piece Cast Iron Fondue Set

The Cuisinart 13-piece cast iron fondue set is perfect for meat fondue, with its ability to withstand high temperatures. The enameled cast iron pot has excellent heat distribution and retention, making it suitable for cheese or chocolate fondue as well. The set includes six forks, and the pot is easy to clean, either by hand or in the dishwasher. However, it has a smaller capacity of 1.5 quarts.

Dash Deluxe Stainless Steel Fondue Maker

The Dash Deluxe fondue maker is perfect for hosting fondue parties, as it comes with eight colour-coded forks and attachable ingredient cups. The inner pot has markings for minimum and maximum fill levels, and the eight heat settings make it suitable for cheese, chocolate, or oil fondue. The pot is made of nonstick stainless steel and is dishwasher-safe. However, the electric cord is on the shorter side.

Frequently asked questions