Best Places To Buy Heating Base For Your Fondue Pot

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience that's perfect for sharing with friends and family. To get started, you'll need to choose the right fondue pot and heating base to suit your needs. Fondue pots come in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic, and copper. The type of heating base you'll need depends on the type of fondue you want to make. For example, chocolate and dessert fondues only require a small tea light candle, while meat fondues require higher temperatures and a different type of burner, such as an alcohol burner or an electric pot. When shopping for a fondue pot and heating base, consider factors such as capacity, heat control, stability, and ease of cleaning. You can find fondue pots and heating bases at various online retailers and specialty food stores.

Online: Amazon, Wayfair, Kohl's, Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, Food52

If you're looking to buy a heating base for your fondue pot, there are several online retailers that can help you out. Here are some options:

Amazon

The Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot is a popular choice, with eight heat settings, a nonstick insert, and a dishwasher-safe coating. It's available on Amazon for $63, a discount on its usual price of $80.

If you're looking for a more traditional option, the Swissmar Lugano 9-Piece Cheese Fondue Set is a great pick. It features a rustic aesthetic and excellent heat retention. You can get it on Amazon for $120.

For those on a budget, the Nostalgia 1.5-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot is a fantastic option at only $38. It has 11 variable temperature settings and includes six color-coded fondue forks.

Wayfair

Wayfair offers the Nostalgia 1.5-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot for the same price of $38. This fondue pot is highly rated and includes six color-coded forks for guests.

Kohl's

Kohl's offers the Dash Deluxe Stainless Steel Fondue Maker for $60. This electric fondue maker comes with eight color-coded forks and attachable ingredient cups. It has a 3-quart capacity and a precise temperature dial.

Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma carries the Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot for $80. This fondue pot has a sleek design, eight heat settings, and a nonstick interior. It also includes a fork ring and eight color-coded forks.

Sur La Table

Sur La Table offers the Swissmar Lugano 9-Piece Cheese Fondue Set for $120. This traditional-style fondue set includes a 2-quart enameled cast iron pot, a wrought iron stand, and six fondue forks.

Food52

Food52 offers the Boska XL "Mr. Big" Fondue Pot for $399. This large-capacity fondue pot has a 1.5-gallon capacity and includes a dozen forks. It's made of ceramic and oak and provides excellent heat retention.

In-store: Walmart, Target, Home Depot

Walmart offers a wide range of fondue pots, both in-store and online. You can find a variety of electric fondue pots, such as the Nostalgia FPS6AQ 12-Cup Electric Fondue Pot in Aqua, the Starfrit 3-in-1 Twelve-Piece Fondue Set, and the Hamilton Beach Fondue Pot with a 3-quart capacity. They also offer non-electric fondue sets, like the Elegant Chocolate Fondue Pot Butter Warmer Bowl Set, which includes a heart-shaped bowl, dipping forks, and a tea light holder, perfect for chocolate and cheese fondue.

Target also offers fondue pots, although their selection is more limited. They have electric fondue pots available, but specific models are not listed.

Home Depot carries several fondue pots, including the Cuisinart Electric Fondue Set CFO-3SS, the Nostalgia Electric Stainless Steel Fondue Pot with Temperature Control and 6 Forks, and the GreenLife 3 qt. Ceramic Non-Stick Multi-Use Fondue Pot Set with 8 Fondue Forks in Red. These options are available online, but it's best to check your local store for in-person availability.

When visiting these stores, head to the kitchen or home appliances sections to find fondue pots. You can ask customer service representatives for assistance if you're unsure where to find them.

Fondue fuel: grocery store, hardware store, specialty food store

Fondue fuel type depends on the type of fondue you want to make. Chocolate, caramel, and dessert fondues only require a small tea light candle to keep the mixture warm after it has been melted on the stovetop. Meat, seafood, and vegetarian fondues, on the other hand, require higher temperatures.

Fondue fuel can be purchased online or in-store. Here are some options for where to buy fondue fuel:

Grocery Store

Fondue fuel can typically be found in your local grocery store near the BBQ supplies. This is usually in liquid form, such as alcohol fuel. However, note that liquid fuel cannot be purchased online as it is flammable and must be purchased in-store.

Hardware Store

Fondue fuel can also be purchased at a hardware store. Options may include gel fuel, liquid fuel, or canned heat.

Specialty Food Store

Specialty food stores may also carry fondue fuel, especially those that cater to fondue enthusiasts or those that sell fondue pots and accessories. These stores may offer a wider variety of fuel types, such as gel fuel, liquid fuel, or tea lights.

Fondue sets: Boska, Valor, Lodge, Chasseur, Ateco, Bon Chef, Cuisinart, Swissmar, Hamilton Beach, Dash, Staub, Kuhn Rikon, Emile Henry, Zojirushi, Crate & Barrel

Fondue sets are a great way to entertain guests and family, and can be used for parties, holidays, or a night in. Here is a list of fondue sets from various brands, including Boska, Valor, Lodge, Chasseur, Ateco, Bon Chef, Cuisinart, Swissmar, Hamilton Beach, Dash, Staub, Kuhn Rikon, Emile Henry, Zojirushi, and Crate & Barrel:

• Boska: Boska offers individual high-quality fondue products, including fondue pots in various designs, three-prong fondue forks for extra grip, and handy bases. They also offer various fondue burners, with or without fuel.
• Valor: No specific products were found.
• Lodge: No specific products were found.
• Chasseur: Chasseur offers a classic fondue set in chilli red, which includes six forks. It is made of premium-quality French cast iron and is handcrafted in the Ardennes region. It is suitable for meat, fish, cheese, and chocolate fondue, and can be used with methylated spirits or chafing fuel. It has moulded cast iron handles for easy carrying and a double coating of enamel for longevity and appearance.
• Ateco: No specific products were found.
• Bon Chef: Bon Chef offers a range of fondue pots made of stainless steel and aluminium.
• Cuisinart: Cuisinart offers a 3-quart electric fondue set that is suitable for chocolate, cheese, broth, and oil. It has a non-stick interior, easy-to-use temperature control, and comes with eight fondue forks and a fork rack.
• Swissmar: Swissmar offers a range of fondue sets in different materials, including cast iron, ceramic, stainless steel, and copper. They also offer electric fondue sets and chocolate fondue sets.
• Hamilton Beach: Hamilton Beach offers a 3-quart fondue pot with temperature control and six colour-coded forks.
• Dash: Dash offers a deluxe stainless steel fondue maker with temperature control. It includes eight colour-coded fondue forks, a fork rack, metal ring, fondue cups, and a recipe guide.
• Staub: Staub offers cast iron fondue pots in various colours, including black matte and mini cheese fondue pots.
• Kuhn Rikon: Kuhn Rikon offers cheese fondue sets in various designs, including Alpine meadow. They also offer cheese fondue forks made of stainless steel or bamboo.
• Emile Henry: Emile Henry offers a ceramic cheese fondue pot set that includes a pot, burner, stand, and six forks. The pot is made of high-fired French Burgundy clay and is designed to work with gas and electric cooktops up to 930° F.
• Zojirushi: Zojirushi offers the Gourmet d'Expert® Electric Skillet, which can be used to prepare cheese fondue.
• Crate & Barrel: Crate & Barrel offers a red cast iron fondue set and the Boska Candlelight Twinkle Fondue Set.

Fondue fuel types: tea lights, gel fuel, liquid fuel (alcohol)

Fondue fuel types vary depending on the type of fondue you are making. Chocolate, caramel, and dessert fondues only require the fondue pot to keep the melted dipping sauce warm, so they use unscented tea light candles. Meat, seafood, and vegetarian fondues, on the other hand, require higher temperatures that tea lights cannot reach. These fondues typically use gel fuel or liquid fuel (alcohol).

Fondue pots for hot oil fondue, for example, are designed to withstand high heat and necessitate a different type of burner, such as the Cuisinox Stainless Steel Fondue Burner, which is compatible with both gel and alcohol fuel. Some burners require gel fuel cartridges, while others use liquid fuel or pourable gelled fondue fuel. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific type of fondue fuel required for your burner.

Liquid fuel produces more heat than gel fuel, so if your burner supports both, you may prefer to use liquid alcohol fuel for hot oil and broth fondues. However, for cheese fondue, gel fuel is the preferred option, although alcohol fuel can also be used with reduced heat.

It is worth noting that liquid fuel (alcohol) cannot be purchased online and must be sourced from local stores, typically near the BBQ supplies. When using liquid fuel, take extra care not to spill any flammable liquid and always follow safety precautions.

Frequently asked questions