Fondue Fuel: Where To Buy For Your Set

Fondue fuel is available from a variety of online and in-person retailers. The type of fuel you will need depends on the type of fondue you are making. For chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues, an unscented tealight candle will provide enough heat to keep the liquid warm without solidifying. For cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, you will need a fuel that burns at a higher temperature, such as liquid alcohol or gel fuel.

Liquid alcohol fuel can be purchased from most grocery and drug stores, but it cannot be shipped, so it is not available for purchase online. Gel fuel can be purchased online from retailers such as Amazon and Walmart, as well as in-person at grocery and hardware stores.

Local grocery stores

When shopping for fuel for your fondue set, it's important to consider the type of fondue you'll be making. For chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues, simple, unscented tealight candles are the best option as they keep the liquid warm without posing the dangers associated with liquid fuels. These can be easily found at your local grocery store.

For cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, you'll need a fuel that burns at a higher temperature than tealights can achieve. Liquid alcohol is a good option as it burns without odour and won't leave soot stains on the pan. It is available at most grocery stores and can also be used for lamps and cleaning. Just make sure to use a special fondue burner and be careful not to spill the liquid fuel.

If you're looking for an alternative to liquid alcohol, gel fuel offers a similar burn temperature and can be found in the same aisle of your local grocery store. Gram for gram, gel fuel burns at a slightly lower temperature but has the advantage of increased safety due to its higher viscosity, making spills less likely. Chafing fuels are also an option and can be found in the same aisle. They come in screw-top tins that serve as the burning device, making them convenient and safe, although they may be less aesthetically pleasing.

In addition to these options, your local grocery store may also carry pressurized butane gas canisters for newer fondue sets. These offer excellent temperature control and are odourless, but they may be slightly more expensive.

Online marketplaces like Amazon

Finding the Right Fondue Fuel

When purchasing fondue fuel on Amazon, it's important to consider the type of fondue you'll be making. Different types of fondue require different fuel sources to achieve the desired temperature. Chocolate, butterscotch, and other dessert fondues only need a low temperature to keep the ingredients melted, so simple, unscented tea light candles are a good option. On the other hand, cheese, meat, or seafood fondues require a higher temperature. In these cases, liquid alcohol or gel fuel is a better choice.

Types of Fondue Fuel Available on Amazon

• Liquid Alcohol: This type of fuel burns practically without odour and won't leave soot stains on the underside of the pan. It is suitable for cheese, meat, or seafood fondues. You will need a special fondue burner designed for alcohol fuel, and it's important to take extra care to avoid spills, especially near open flames.
• Gel Fuel: Gel fuel is a jelly-like form of alcohol that burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol but has the advantage of longer burn times. It can be poured into a normal fondue burner and is generally safer to use than liquid fuel due to its higher viscosity, which reduces the risk of spills and fires.
• Chafing Fuel: Chafing fuels are also gel fuels packaged in screw-top tins that serve as the burning device. While they may be less aesthetically pleasing than a traditional fondue set, they offer the convenience of being specifically designed for burning, extinguishing, and reusing.
• Butane Gas: Newer fondue sets may use pressurised butane gas canisters, which offer excellent temperature control and easy reuse. Butane fuel is also a safe option as long as the canister is handled with care.

Fondue Fuel Options on Amazon

Amazon offers a variety of fondue fuel options, including:

• Trudeau Gelled Fuel Fondue Capsules: These gel fuel capsules are highly rated and provide a convenient and safe option for your fondue burner.
• Swissmar Swiss Fire Gel: This fondue fuel comes in a set of three 3-ounce tins, providing plenty of fuel for your fondue party.
• Sterno Gel Fuel: Sterno offers a range of gel fuel options, including their Green Heat Gel Chafing Fuel, S'Mores Heat Fuel Cans, and Canned Heat Gel Chafing Fuel. These fuels are designed for chafing dishes but can also be used for fondue.
• EcoQuality Chafing Dish Fuel: This methanol blue gel burner fuel comes in a 7-ounce can and provides a long-lasting burn time of 2.5 hours.
• Boska Stainless Steel Fondue Burner: This fondue burner comes with lighter fluid and is safe for use in microwaves and dishwashers. It's a popular choice, with over 100 sales in the past month.
• Gas One 6-pack Chafing Fuel: This liquid safe fuel comes with a wick and lid opener and provides 6 hours of burn time. It's a best-seller in fireplace and stove fuels, with over 2000 sales in the past month.

Drug stores

If you're looking to buy fondue fuel from a drug store, you're in luck! Many drug stores sell liquid alcohol fuel for fondue burners. This type of fuel is ideal for cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, as it burns at a higher temperature than tea lights.

You can also find gel fuel at drug stores, which is essentially a jelly-like form of alcohol. Gram for gram, gel fuel burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol, but it will burn for longer. Gel fuel is also safer to use, as it is less likely to spill and won't run if it's knocked over.

When using liquid alcohol fuel, be sure to use a special fondue burner and take care not to spill any fuel near an open flame. Fondue fuel can usually be found in the same aisle as other BBQ supplies or lamp oils.

Some popular brands of fondue fuel that you may find at drug stores include:

• Swissmar Swiss Fire Gel
• Sterno
• GASONE
• Coghlan's
• Trudeau

BBQ supplies sections

When shopping for fondue fuel, it's important to consider the type of fondue you'll be making, as different varieties require different fuel types. For example, chocolate, butterscotch, coffee, and other dessert fondues only need to be kept warm, so a simple, unscented tealight candle will suffice.

For cheese, meat, or seafood fondues, you'll need a fuel that burns at a higher temperature than tealights can provide. Here's where you can find some suitable options in the BBQ supplies section:

Liquid alcohol is an excellent choice for a fondue fuel that burns at a high temperature and is practically odourless. It's readily available at most grocery and drug stores, often in the BBQ supplies aisle. Just be sure to use a special fondue burner designed for alcohol fuel, and take extra care not to spill the liquid fuel near flames.

Gel fuel, a jelly-like form of alcohol, is another option. Gram for gram, it burns at a slightly lower temperature than liquid alcohol but has the advantage of longer burn time. Gel fuel can be poured into a normal fondue burner and used just like liquid fuel. It's also safer since it's less likely to spill and won't run if it does. You can find gel fuel in the BBQ supplies section of some stores, often near the liquid alcohol fuel.

If you're looking for a fuel option that offers excellent temperature control and easy reuse, consider investing in a newer fondue set that uses pressurised butane gas. While the set and canisters may be more expensive, they provide superior safety features as long as they are handled with care.

When shopping for fondue fuel, whether it's liquid alcohol, gel fuel, or butane gas, be sure to check the BBQ supplies section of your local store or look for it online. You're likely to find a variety of options to suit your fondue needs.

Specialist fondue websites

BestFondue.com

BestFondue.com is a website that offers a wealth of information about fondue fuels and burners. They provide detailed explanations about the different types of fondue fuels, such as gel fuel, liquid fuel, and tea lights, and help you determine which type is suitable for your specific fondue pot. BestFondue.com also offers a range of fondue fuel options available for purchase on their website, ensuring you can find the right fuel for your fondue burner.

SwissmarShop.com

SwissmarShop.com offers a fondue burner that includes a burner cap, flame adjuster, and gel fuel can. This website provides the necessary equipment to get started with your fondue set, and the fuel sold separately ensures you can continue enjoying your fondue meals.

Amazon.com

Amazon, a well-known online retailer, offers a vast selection of fondue fuels to suit various fondue pots and burners. With options like gelled fuel capsules, liquid safe fuel, ethanol fuel, and tea lights, Amazon caters to different fondue needs. They offer products from various brands, such as Sterno, Gas One, and Trudeau, providing a diverse range of choices for customers. Amazon also provides convenient delivery options, ensuring you can get your fondue fuel delivered right to your doorstep.

Frequently asked questions