Fondue Fuel: What's Cooking Underneath That Pot?

Fondue fuel is used to heat a pot of fondue, keeping its contents warm and preventing them from solidifying. The type of fondue fuel used depends on the type of fondue being made. For dessert fondues, such as chocolate, simple, unscented tealight candles are best as they keep the liquid warm without reaching high temperatures. For cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, higher temperatures are required. Fondue fuel for these comes in liquid or gel form, with the latter being safer as it is less likely to spill. Fondue fuel is typically available at most grocery and drug stores.

Fondue Fuel Characteristics

Fondue fuel types: gel, liquid, and fuel blocks

Fondue fuels come in various types, including gel, liquid, and fuel blocks. The type of fuel you need depends on the type of fondue you are making and the burner you are using.

Gel Fuel

Some fondue burners require gel fuel cartridges. Gel fuel can also come in a pourable gelled form. Gel fuel is great for cheese fondue, as it provides a lower temperature than liquid fuel. If your burner supports both gel and liquid fuel, you can adjust the heat by reducing the size of the openings on your burner when using gel fuel.

Liquid Fuel

Liquid fuel, usually in the form of alcohol, creates more heat than gel fuel. It is ideal for hot oil and hot broth fondues. You can find liquid fondue fuel in your local grocery store near the BBQ supplies. To use, simply pour about 90 ml or 3 oz of liquid fuel into the bottom part of the burner. Be careful not to spill any of the flammable liquid, and always follow safety precautions when using liquid fuel.

Fuel Blocks

If you have misplaced your burner, you may be able to use a "Sterno" type of burner, which is a fuel block in a container. This type of fuel can be used for hot oil, broth, or cheese fondue as an alternative to gel or liquid fuel.

Tea Lights

For chocolate, caramel, and dessert fondues, you only need to keep the fondue pot warm. In this case, a small unscented tea light candle can be used as a simple and effective heat source.

Where to buy fondue fuel

Fondue fuel is available in gel or liquid form. It is used to heat up a metal burner under the fondue pot to keep the fondue warm.

Fondue fuel can be purchased from a variety of online and in-person retailers.

Amazon

Amazon offers a wide range of fondue fuel products, including gel fuel, liquid fuel, and fuel cans. Some of the brands available include Swissmar, Gas One, Sterno, and Trudeau. Amazon offers a convenient delivery service, with some products eligible for free delivery.

Walmart

Walmart also sells fondue fuel, including gel fuel tins, liquid fuel, and fuel cans. Brands available include Swissmar, Sterno, and GASONE.

Local Grocery and Drug Stores

Fondue fuel can often be found at your local grocery or drug store. It is typically available in gel or liquid form, and can be used for lamps and cleaning purposes as well as for fondue.

Other Options

Other options for purchasing fondue fuel include:

• Specialty kitchenware stores
• Outdoor recreation stores
• Online marketplaces such as eBay or Etsy

How to avoid soot when using fondue fuel

Fondue fuel is essential to the success of your fondue, and understanding the different types of fuel and how they burn is crucial. Soot can be an issue when using certain types of fondue fuel, but there are ways to minimise or avoid it altogether. Here are some tips to help you avoid soot when using fondue fuel:

Firstly, it's important to select the right type of fuel for your fondue burner. For chocolate fondue, a simple unscented tealight candle is sufficient, as the goal is to keep the chocolate just warm enough to prevent solidification. Tea lights produce minimal smoke and burn for 4-5 hours, making them a safe and convenient option.

For cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, liquid alcohol fuel is recommended as it burns at a higher temperature. It produces very little smoke, minimising the risk of soot stains on your pot. Denatured alcohol or ethanol are good choices as they burn cleanly and provide a steady flame. Always use a special fondue burner designed for alcohol fuel, and be cautious to avoid spills, especially near open flames.

Another option is gel fuel, which is essentially a jelly-like form of alcohol. Gram for gram, it burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol but has the advantage of longer burn time. Gel fuel is less likely to spill and creates less danger of fire. It's also easier to manage if spilled, making it a safer option.

If you're using liquid fuel, opt for a quality product that burns cleanly and is specifically designed for fondue burners. Poor quality fuel may produce more soot. Additionally, ensure that your burner is compatible with the type of fuel you're using. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended fuel type.

When using any type of fondue fuel, always ensure proper ventilation in the area. Inadequate ventilation can lead to the accumulation of harmful gases or fumes, which may not only be hazardous to your health but can also increase the risk of soot formation.

Finally, maintain a safe distance between the fondue burner and the fondue pot. If the pot is too close to the burner, it can cause incomplete combustion, resulting in the production of soot. Adjust the distance as needed to ensure efficient burning and minimise soot accumulation.

The best fuel for dessert fondues

Fondue fuels come in several forms, but the best fuel for dessert fondues is a simple, unscented tealight candle.

Chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues only require low heat to keep the liquid warm and prevent it from solidifying. Fondue burners for these types of fondue pots are typically small and use tealights.

Tealight candles are ideal for dessert fondues because they provide a gentle, consistent heat source for 4-5 hours. They are also safer and more convenient than liquid fuels, with none of the associated dangers. Place the candle about two to three inches below the melting dish to maintain the optimal temperature.

Liquid alcohol is another option for fondue fuel, but it is better suited for cheese, meat, or seafood fondues that require higher temperatures. It burns without odour and won't leave soot stains on the pan. However, it requires a special fondue burner and extra care to avoid spills, especially near open flames.

Gel fuel, a jelly-like form of alcohol, is also available and provides increased safety due to its higher viscosity, making spills less likely. It burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol but will last longer. Chafing fuels are an example of gel fuel that comes in screw-top tins, providing a convenient burning, extinguishing, and re-burning option. However, they may be less aesthetically pleasing than a traditional fondue set.

Newer fondue sets may also use pressurised butane gas, which offers excellent temperature control, easy reuse, and no odour. While slightly more expensive, it is a safe option as long as the canister is handled with care.

The best fuel for cheese, meat, or seafood fondues

Fondue fuels vary depending on the type of fondue you are preparing. For chocolate and other dessert fondues, the key is to use a fuel that keeps the liquid warm enough to prevent it from solidifying. A simple, unscented tealight candle is the best option for this, as it burns at the optimum temperature and presents fewer dangers than liquid fuels.

However, for cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, you need a fuel that burns at a higher temperature than tea lights can achieve. There are several options available for these types of fondues:

Liquid Alcohol Fuel

Liquid alcohol fuel burns practically without odour and will not leave soot stains on the underside of the pan. It is readily available in most grocery and chemist shops and can be used for various purposes, including lamps and cleaning. However, it is essential to use a special fondue burner designed for alcohol fuel and to take extra care to avoid spilling the liquid fuel, especially near open flames.

Gel Fuel

Gel fuel is a jelly-like form of alcohol that provides a slightly lower burn temperature than liquid alcohol but burns for a longer duration. It 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 increased safety due to its higher viscosity, which makes it less likely to spill and reduces the risk of fire.

Chafing Fuels

Chafing fuels are also gel fuels packaged in screw-top tins that serve as the burning device. The advantage of this option is that the fuel and container are designed to be burned, extinguished, and reused multiple times. However, the disadvantage is that they may be less aesthetically pleasing than a traditional fondue set and offer less precise temperature control.

Pressurised Butane Gas

Newer fondue sets may use pressurised butane gas, which offers excellent temperature control, easy reuse, and odourless operation. This option is also considered safe as long as the canister is handled with care and not exposed to drastic air pressure changes.

It is important to note that the type of fuel you choose should match your fondue burner and the specific requirements of the fondue type you are preparing. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best and safest results.

Frequently asked questions