In winter, do you enjoy meeting up with your friends, to chat and have fun around tasty dishes? The season is conducive to conviviality and good humour. But, to benefit from it, specific tools seem essential. This is particularly the case with the fondue set.
However, choosing the model that meets your expectations can quickly become complicated. Indeed, depending on the number of people to receive, or the main ingredient used (cheese, oil, chocolate…), you will not necessarily select the same product. To help you see more clearly, we analysed and compared 23 models over 27 hours and took into account the opinions of 539 consumers. The seven models presented here are the best electric fondue pots in 2021.
1. Cuisinart CFO-3SS Electric Fondue Maker
In your eyes, the goal of fondue is to release the pressure, and for an evening to forget everything likely to stress you? In this case, you need a device that is simple, beautiful and has no issues working with. We think the Cuisinart CFO-3SSC fits that description perfectly.
What you will probably notice first about this fondue maker is its very chic appearance. The brushed stainless steel design ensures elegance and solidity. You should also know that you have complete peace of mind since you benefit from a limited warranty of three years on this product.
The Cuisinart CFO-3SSC is suitable for recipes using cheese, chocolate, broth and oil. You benefit from a large caquelon, the capacity of which is 2.8 litres, which corresponds to 3 pints. This is perfect for eight people: each guest can thus equip himself with one of the eight forks included in the purchase. They each have their colour, so there is little risk of going wrong.
Also, the large opening diameter of the fondue pot promotes smooth service, which allows everyone to have a good time. The Cuisinart CFO-3SSC has a splash guard, so you’re protected, just like your table. With the probe and cord removed, all of the remaining items can be washed in the dishwasher for effortless cleaning.
The probe offers eight temperature options, allowing for perfect management of your fondue evening. This fondue maker is a little more expensive than average, but it is adorable and practical. The only downside that we consider is a short power cord.
As long as you have the right budget, there is no hesitation in our opinion: the Cuisinart CFO-3SSC is very easy to use and maintain, which will allow you to have a good time with your friends and family without even having to think about it.
2. Nostalgia FPS200 6 – Stainless Steel Electric Fondue
Love fondues, but find that the devices available on the market are not always as safe as they should be? If you are looking for a stable, practical product that minimizes risks as much as possible, the Nostalgia FPS200 seems capable of meeting your requirements.
The main specificity of the Nostalgia FPS200 is not difficult to notice: in fact, the device takes the form of a solid base, which you place directly on your table. As there are no feet or supports, it is less easy to overturn and therefore you benefit from better safety conditions.
Just place the fondue pot on the unit, and you’re done. To adjust the temperature, you just have to turn the dial, which is equipped with blue lighting ideal for enjoying better visibility, especially when it is a bit dark.
Note that this fondue maker does not heat up very much, which means that we recommend it first and foremost if you want to prepare recipes with cheese or chocolate. There is nothing to prevent using it with oil, but you may need to be a little more patient in this case.
The manufacturer has chosen to equip the pot with anti-heating handles, which is a great idea: this allows you to move it more quickly, and you do not burn yourself during service, cleaning or storage. The machine comes with six forks, each equipped with a coloured tip, for differentiation. The ring has slots for holding forks, so your diners are free to concentrate on the fun and conversation.
The Nostalgia FPS200 is generally offered at a fair price, and is strong: stainless steel being the main material, the removable parts are durable and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
The Nostalgia FPS200 is the fondue maker we recommend for people who are practical and do not like thoughtlessness. Thanks to its large stable base, you gain peace of mind and efficiency. It is designed more for chocolate or cheese-based fondues than for oil-based ones.
3. NutriChef PKFNMK23 Countertop Fondue Melting Pot
Do you consider that the cleaning step ruins all the fun of fondue, and you are looking for a solution to organize convivial evenings without spending hours to tidy up and wash? NutriChef PKFNMK23 may be a solution to your worries.
The pot of the NutriChef PKFNMK23 is made of Teflon, with a non-stick surface. If you are wondering what that entails, it’s simple: first, it’s pretty sturdy, second it’s really really quick to clean, since chocolate or cheese doesn’t stick too much to the walls.
This fondue maker is suitable for whatever your favorite recipes, based on cheese, chocolate, oil or broth. If you are fond of Chinese fondue, you will not be blocked. Many users say they are particularly satisfied with the intuitive handling offered on this product. Admittedly, this is hardly complicated: you plug it in, you use the rotary knob to adjust the temperature, and you’re done.
You even get some useful safety ideas. For example, an operation light is provided. The unit also has anti-heat handles, so you can move it around without getting burned. With its red and black appearance, the NutriChef PKFNMK23 makes an aesthetic choice a little different from what we see with some competitors, but which we consider rather successful. It is very sober while having character.
To facilitate the organization of your evenings, six forks are included. Thanks to the colors, each guest easily recognizes their own. As you can see, the NutriChef PKFNMK23 is an excellent fondue maker. However, keep in mind that the capacity of the fondue pot is not huge (a little over two pints). It is therefore designed more for convivial meals with family or evenings with close friends than for large receptions.
The NutriChef PKFNMK23 is the ideal fondue maker if you hate wasting time on chores, the fondue pot is one of the easiest to clean. Rather, it is intended for gatherings with family or close friends, and is distinguished by superior security and versatility.
Best Electric Fondue Pots – Buying Guide
Have you decided to organize convivial evenings, but there are a few questions that prevent you from considering them with serenity? Don’t worry, we’ll take a look at the essentials to know before you get a fondue set.
What to choose: an electric or a burner model?
First of all, be aware that there are low end and high-end options in both categories. In fact, there is not one that is superior to the other, they each have their advantages and disadvantages, which here are.
Burner models usually feature a cast iron pot , which means they are more efficient at retaining heat and sometimes stronger. In addition, there is no cord, which limits the risk of tipping over and increases ease of movement and storage.
But you have to buy fuel, and there may be more risk of getting burned.
Electric models are much easier to learn, save you the hassle of buying fuel, and sometimes come with very reassuring safety options.
However, the cord should be placed in a smart location where no one can step on it, and since it is often short, purchasing a good quality extension cord may be essential.
Should you choose the appliance according to the type of fondue?
The majority of devices are versatile.
However, there are four main ingredients for fondue, which can be divided into two camps: cheese and chocolate on the one hand, broth and oil on the other.
Cheese and chocolate must be heated to a fairly low temperature; otherwise, they will harden and make cleaning extremely tedious. They must melt without actually burning.
The oil and broth should be heated to a high temperature, as food that needs to be cooked, such as small pieces of beef for example, are usually put in them.
Some products, especially entry-level, are more oriented towards one of the two categories (sometimes, the manufacturer specifies).
Selection criteria for Buying a Fondue Set
Selecting the fondue maker that suits your needs is not as easy as it sounds. To allow you to make comparisons between the products that interest you, we present here the list of criteria that we have used ourselves.
Price:
Count at least $ 25-30 for a decent fondue set with a cast iron pot, burner and good lifespan.
For the entry-level electric, the price is instead $40.
Then, the best devices (whether electric or with burners) offering good adjustability and irreproachable strength can cost up to around $ 90 or $ 100 .
Capacity:
The higher the caquelon capacity, the more guests you will be able to receive. A relatively common value is 2.8 liters , or 3 pints.
All fondue pots have a splash-proof ring with slots or brackets to stabilize the forks, there are usually six or eight of them, but this is not necessarily a reliable indication of how many people can use the forks. device simultaneously without it becoming disturbing.
Thermostat:
The thermostat can be integrated into the unit or removable. Removable cords, especially magnetic cords, have the great advantage of limiting the risk of overturning (and of burns with hot oil). The precision and amplitude offered tend to grow as you go up in range.
On burner models, the burner can be adjustable.
Ease of maintenance:
Cast iron and stainless steel are very easy to clean.
The ideal option is to have forks and a stainless steel pot: in this case, you can put everything in the dishwasher and no longer worry about it.
Teflon, even when equipped with a non-stick coating, tends to hold more cheese or chocolate, and it is therefore strongly recommended that you clean up immediately after your meal is finished.
Dimensions and ease of movement:
Fondue sets are usually not too bulky, but still make sure you have adequate and non-obtrusive storage space, as this is not necessarily a type of machine you use every day. .
We also recommend that you choose a model equipped with insulating handles: it is much more practical if you need to move the fondue pot, if only temporarily.
Compatibility with hotplates:
It is not uncommon for fondue pots to be compatible with hotplates (including, sometimes, induction ones). And it can be extremely handy, especially if you happen to be having fondues out of the blue and need to go a little faster than the devices allow.
Appearance:
Fondue is also a spirit of conviviality and sharing. Usually, you invite relatives. So, you might as well impress them! Do not hesitate to choose an elegant and colorful device, which will help set the tone for the evening.
In this regard, models with a cast iron pot are often more original, with a greater variety of colors available.
We did our best to offer you a holistic review allowing you to choose the best electric fondue pot possible
