Fondue Mesh Burner: What Materials Make It?

Fondue burners are an essential part of the fondue set-up, providing the heat source to keep your melted chocolate warm and your broth or oil hot for cooking meat, fish, and vegetables. Fondue burners are usually made of metal and are small containers with a lid that has holes in it and a handle for regulating the size of the holes. Fondue burners can be fuelled by liquid alcohol, gel fuel, candles, butane, or sterno. The type of fondue you are making will dictate the type of pot and fuel you should use. For example, liquid alcohol fuel is ideal for hot oil and broth-based fondues, whereas gel fuel works well for cheese fondue.

Fondue burners are made of metal

Fondue burners are an essential part of the fondue experience, providing the heat source needed to keep the melted chocolate warm and the broth or oil hot for cooking meat, fish, and vegetables. The type of fondue you want to make dictates the type of pot and fuel to use. Some burners accommodate only one kind of fuel, while others work with multiple types.

Liquid alcohol is the most common type of fondue fuel, but it is highly flammable and must be handled with care to avoid spills. It is readily available from pharmacies and supermarkets but cannot be purchased online due to safety concerns. Fondue gel fuel, which is essentially alcohol fuel in a safer form, is a popular alternative. It is less likely to be spilled and burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol, making it ideal for cheese fondue.

When using liquid alcohol fuel, it is important to follow safety precautions. Always fill the burner away from the fondue pot in a safe area, such as a kitchen counter. Never overfill the burner, and stop pouring when the fuel reaches the holes or mesh. Wipe off any spills, and ensure all flammable materials are kept away from the burner. To light the burner, open the air holes to the maximum and use a lit match or lighter.

Fondue burners made of metal are an important component of the fondue experience, providing the necessary heat to keep the fondue warm and enjoyable for all.

They use liquid alcohol fuel

Fondue burners use liquid alcohol fuel, which is highly flammable and easy to spill. This makes it dangerous to use, and it cannot be purchased online. However, it is simple and cheap to use and can be found in pharmacies and supermarkets. It burns cleanly and odourlessly, and will not leave sooty marks on the bottom of your fondue pot.

To use liquid alcohol fuel, first, take the burner away from the fondue pot and place it in a safe area, like a kitchen counter. Next, carefully pour the liquid alcohol into the bottom of the burner until it reaches the holes or mesh. Wipe off any spills with a paper towel, ensuring there is no flammable material nearby. Then, open the air holes to the maximum setting and light with a match or lighter. Once lit, adjust the openings to reach the desired temperature.

Liquid alcohol fuel is best for hot oil and hot broth fondue as it creates more heat than gel fuel. However, if you are making cheese fondue, you may want to reduce the heat by slightly reducing the size of the openings on your burner.

Safety is paramount when using liquid alcohol fuel. Never fill the burner while it is still hot and never overfill it. Always wait for the burner to cool off before refilling. Keep the burner on a stand to protect the table and make it heavier and more stable. Limit its use to times when the room is darker, as the flame is hard to see in daylight. Avoid extinguishing the flame manually; instead, use the lid to cover the burner and let the flame burn out by itself.

Or gel packets with gelatinized alcohol fuel

Fondue burners are typically fuelled by liquid alcohol or gel packets containing gelatinized alcohol fuel. The latter is often a preferred choice, as liquid alcohol is highly flammable and can be easily spilled. Fondue gel fuel is available in the form of gel cartridges or pourable gel.

Gel fuel cartridges are inserted into the metal casing of the fondue burner, with the top half of the burner, which has openings for air, placed on top of the bottom half containing the cartridge. If using pourable gel fuel, the bottom half of the burner, which contains a surface with holes or a mesh surface, is removed and the gel is poured directly into the bottom of the burner. The top half is then returned, and the burner is lit according to the instructions for alcohol burners.

One advantage of using gel fuel is that the burner does not need to be cooled off before refilling, unlike with liquid alcohol fuel burners. Additionally, gel fuel burners can be extinguished by simply placing a cover on the burner.

When purchasing fondue gel fuel, it is important to ensure that it is suitable for indoor use and compatible with fondue and/or chafing dishes. Examples of fondue gel fuel brands include Swissmar Swiss Fire Gel and Trudeau Fondue Safety Burner gel cartridges.

Burners have a lid with holes and a handle

Fondue burners are used to heat a variety of fondue types, including cheese, chocolate, and hot oil or broth. The burners are usually fuelled by liquid alcohol or gel packets containing gelatinized alcohol. They are typically made of metal and consist of a small container with a lid that has holes in it and a handle. The lid regulates the size of the holes, controlling the amount of air entering and thus the size of the flame. The burner is placed on a fondue stand, and a saucepan is placed over it to hold the fondue.

The process of lighting a fondue burner begins with ensuring the use of the right type of fondue pot and fuel. If using liquid alcohol fuel, it is important to be cautious as it is highly flammable and can easily be spilled. The burner should be taken to a safe area, such as a kitchen counter, and filled with the appropriate amount of fuel. It is crucial to never overfill the burner and to stop pouring when the fuel reaches the holes or mesh inside. Any spilled fuel should be wiped off, and the burner should then be placed back underneath the fondue pot. All flammable materials must be kept away from the burner. To ignite the burner, open the air holes to the maximum and use a lit match or lighter. Once lit, the openings can be adjusted to achieve the desired temperature.

When using gel fuel, the process is slightly different. Gel fuel is considered safer and less likely to spill than liquid alcohol. It can come in single-use packs sealed with a foil lid. To use it, simply insert the pack into the fondue burner base, remove the foil lid, and cover it with the burner lid, leaving the holes wide open. Light the fuel with a match or lighter, and then adjust the burner holes as needed.

It is important to follow safety precautions when using a fondue burner. Always ensure the burner has cooled down before refilling it with fuel. Keep the burner on a stand to protect the table and reduce the risk of knocking it over. Avoid extinguishing the flame manually; instead, use the burner cover to smother the fire. Additionally, always burn all the fuel in the burner before storing it.

Burners are placed on a special stand

The stand also ensures that the burner is secure and stable, reducing the chances of it being knocked over during the fondue dining experience. The stand is typically made of a heat-resistant material, such as metal, to withstand the high temperatures generated by the burner. It is designed to be sturdy and durable, providing a safe base for the burner.

The height of the stand is also important, as it ensures that the burner is at the optimal distance from the fondue pot. This helps to maintain the desired temperature of the fondue, as the heat from the burner is directed upwards towards the pot. The stand also ensures that the burner is not too close to the table, reducing the risk of heat damage to the table surface.

Additionally, the stand often includes a mechanism to secure the burner in place, such as a screw or clamp, to ensure that it remains stable and secure during use. This mechanism also allows for easy removal of the burner for refuelling or cleaning. The stand is designed to be easy to assemble and disassemble, making it convenient for storage and transportation.

Frequently asked questions