Best Sterno Fuel For Your Fondue Pot

When it comes to choosing the best fuel for your fondue pot, it's important to consider the type of fondue you'll be making. For chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues, the key is to use a simple, unscented tealight candle to keep the mixture warm without burning. On the other hand, cheese, meat, or seafood fondues require higher temperatures, so liquid alcohol or gel fuel is a better option. If you're looking for a convenient and affordable fuel option, gel fuel, such as the Sterno brand, is widely available and can be found in most grocery and drug stores. It offers increased safety due to its higher viscosity, making it less likely to spill and reducing the risk of fire.

Best fuel for chocolate fondue

When it comes to chocolate fondue, the key is to keep the liquid warm enough to stop it from solidifying. The best fuel for this is a simple, unscented tealight candle. Tealights will keep the chocolate fondue warm for 4 to 5 hours and present none of the dangers associated with liquid fuels. Burn the tealight about two or three inches from the bottom of the pan or melting dish to keep the temperature at the optimum level.

If you are using an electric fondue pot, you won't need to worry about fuel. The Nostalgia 1.5-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot is a sturdy and affordable option that can be used with chocolate fondue. It has eleven variable temperature settings, making it easy to control the heat.

For a non-electric option, the Swissmar Sierra Iron Fondue is a great choice. It includes a 1.6-quart fondue pot, a fuel burner (fuel sold separately), and a grooved wooden base to protect your table from drips or spills. The heavy, thick enameled cast iron retains heat at both low and high temperatures, so your fondue will stay at the perfect temperature.

If you're looking for a more compact option, the Swissmar Lugano 9-Piece Cheese Fondue Set is a beautiful and sturdy model that serves a group of four very easily. The 2-quart enameled cast iron fondue pot can be used on the stove or with the included gel fuel burner.

When choosing fuel for your fondue pot, it's important to use the right type for your specific fondue burner. Some burners require gel fuel cartridges or liquid fuel, while others can use pourable gelled fondue fuel. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best and safest results.

Best fuel for cheese fondue

When it comes to cheese fondue, you need a fuel that burns at a higher temperature than tea lights can achieve. There are several options available:

Liquid Alcohol

Liquid alcohol is a good choice for cheese fondue fuel as it burns without odour and won't leave soot stains on the underside of the pan. It can be purchased from most grocery and drug stores and can be used for lamps and cleaning purposes, too. You will need a special fondue burner to use alcohol fuel, and it's important to take care not to spill it, especially near flames.

Gel Fuel

Gel fuel is essentially a jelly-like form of alcohol. Gram for gram, it burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol, but it will burn for longer. It can be poured into a normal fondue burner and used in the same way as liquid fuel. Gel fuel is safer than liquid fuel as it is less likely to spill and won't run if it is spilt, reducing the risk of fire.

Chafing Fuels

Chafing fuels are also gel fuels, but they are packaged in screw-top tins which also constitute the burning device. The advantage of this is that the fuel and container have been specifically designed to be burned, extinguished and burned again. However, the disadvantage is that it is less aesthetically pleasing to use than a proper fondue set, and temperature control is not as precise.

Butane Gas

Newer fondue sets may use pressurised butane gas. Although the sets and canisters are slightly more expensive, they offer excellent temperature control and are easy to reuse. They are also odourless and, as long as the canister is not subjected to rough handling or dramatic changes in air pressure, they are very safe.

Best fuel for meat fondue

When it comes to meat fondue, there are a few different fuel options available. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs. Here are some of the best fuel options for meat fondue:

Liquid Alcohol Fuel

Liquid alcohol fuel burns practically without odour and won't leave soot stains on the underside of the pan. It is widely available in most grocery and drug stores and can be used for lamps and cleaning purposes as well as for fondue fuel. You will need a special fondue burner to use alcohol fuel, and it's important to take special care not to spill the liquid fuel, especially near open flames.

Gel Fuel

Gel fuel is essentially a jelly-like form of alcohol. Gram for gram, it burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol, but it will burn for longer. Gel fuel can be poured into a normal fondue burner and used in the same way as liquid fuel. One of the main advantages of gel fuel is safety; its higher viscosity means it is less likely to spill and will not run if it is spilt, reducing the risk of fire.

Chafing Fuel

Chafing fuels are also gel fuels, but they are packaged in screw-top tins which also act as the burning device. The fuel and container are designed to be burned, extinguished, and then burned again. This is an advantage over bottled gel fuel, which cannot be returned to the bottle once it has been partially burnt and can degrade in quality if kept in the burner. However, the disadvantage of canned chafing fuel is that it is less aesthetically pleasing than a proper fondue set, and temperature control is not as precise.

Butane Gas

Newer fondue sets may use pressurised butane gas, which offers excellent temperature control and easy reuse. While the sets and canisters are slightly more expensive, they are very safe as long as the canister is not subjected to rough handling or placed in an environment where the air pressure changes dramatically.

Best fuel for broth fondue

When it comes to broth fondue, the best fuel to use is liquid alcohol. This is because it burns at a higher temperature than gel fuel or tea lights, which are better suited to chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and dessert fondues.

Liquid alcohol fuel is available from most grocery and drug stores and can also be used for lamps and cleaning. It burns without odour and will not leave soot stains on the underside of the pan. You will need a special fondue burner to use alcohol fuel, and it is important to take care not to spill the liquid, especially near open flames.

If you are unable to get hold of liquid alcohol fuel, gel fuel is a good alternative. Gram for gram, it burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol, but it will burn for longer. It can be poured into a normal fondue burner and used in the same way as liquid fuel. Gel fuel is also safer than liquid fuel as it is less likely to spill and will not run if it is spilt, reducing the risk of fire.

Best fuel for dessert fondue

When it comes to dessert fondue, the best fuel to use is a simple, unscented tealight candle. Tealights are ideal for keeping the liquid warm enough to stop it from solidifying without overheating. They also present none of the dangers associated with liquid fuels.

Fondue fuels are tailored specifically for the temperature and type of flame that fondue requires, so it's important to use the right one to avoid mishaps.

For chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues, burn a tealight candle about two or three inches from the bottom of the pan or melting dish to keep the temperature at the optimum level. These will keep burning for 4 to 5 hours.

If you're looking for an alternative to tealights, gel fuel is essentially a jelly-like form of alcohol and can be used in a normal fondue burner. Gram for gram, gel fuel burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol, but it will burn for longer and is safer to use.

Frequently asked questions