Fondue pots make mealtime extra special thanks to their ability to keep melted cheese, chocolate and other tasty ingredients in a warm container that people can gather around and enjoy together. The best fondue pots are designed to provide consistent heat without burning your food. Since fondue pots are usually the centerpiece of a meal, style is as crucial as functionality. Our top pick is the Cuisinart Fondue Pot for its nonstick insert, ease of operation and ample forks, but there are plenty of other great choices that are also worth a look.
The best fondue pots are designed to create perfectly melted ingredients for a delicious and fun ... [+] night in. Meat Press
“If you're the kind of person who loves having friends or family over and enjoys a fun, interactive meal, a fondue pot is your new best friend,” says Caytlin McCleery, culinary expert at The Stay At Home Chef. “Fondue is all about sharing and having a good time together around the table.”
To choose the right fondue pot, you’ll want to consider factors like fuel source, material, what you prefer to cook and how easy it is to clean, says cheese expert Caroline Hostettler, founder of Quality Cheese. Naturally, your budget is a factor as well. Consider these fondue pot options to transform your next shared meal.
Material: Stainless steel | Power Source: Electric | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate
Cuisinart’s fondue pot is packed with features to make use a breeze. This electric pot is controlled by a clearly-marked temperature dial to make it simple to get the ideal setting for your ingredients and keep it there. A huge perk of this pot is its nonstick insert—it’s removable and easy to clean. The pot also has a notched edge to hold the eight included forks and keep them from dropping into your melted creation. Its 3-quart capacity is also a good size for families and can serve up to eight people at once. To get started, just plug in your pot, add your ingredients, stir and enjoy—it’s that simple. Made of stainless steel, this pot is built to last.
Material: Stainless steel | Power Source: Electric | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate
Amazon’s bestselling fondue pot also happens to be one of the most affordable options the retailer sells. Despite its low price, this electric set has plenty of features to get fondue night up and running quickly. The Nostalgia set’s pot rests on a base, with a dial-adjusted temperature. Choose from 11 heat settings to warm up or even cook your wares. The included forks are long and color-coded for personalization. A 38-inch cord gives you plenty of room between your pot and plug. While the 6-cup capacity isn’t massive, it’s large enough for smaller families and desserts.
Material: Enameled cast iron | Power Source: Flame, stove | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate, broth
At $370, Le Creuset’s fondue pot isn’t cheap. But for those who want a more traditional fondue feel and pot that’s a talking point, this is it. The enameled cast iron pot allows fondue to be prepared directly on the stovetop and then transferred to the stand, where a flame keeps it warm. This pot’s cast iron construction with porcelain enamel coating helps distribute heat evenly to reduce the risk of charred ingredients. The set—which is designed for smaller parties—comes with six stainless steel forks with color-tipped handles. The pot can technically go in the dishwasher, but Le Creuset recommends washing it by hand.
Material: Enameled cast iron| Power Source: Flame | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate, broth
Swissmar’s fondue set has a decidedly retro feel, and that’s part of its charm. This pot features an enameled cast iron construction to retain and evenly distribute heat, keeping your ingredients warm in the process. The pot is shaped like a traditional Swiss caquelon, with a wide handle that’s simple to grip during more intense stirring sessions. The pot has a 2-quart capacity to serve an entire family, along with six fondue forks with faux-wood handles. The pot can also be used on your stove and in your oven, if you prefer to heat up your ingredients that way first.
Material: Ceramic | Power Source: Electric | Dishwasher Safe: No | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate, meat, broth
This fondue pot from Oster is an electric workhorse that’s capable of cooking just about anything, including meat. The device has an adjustable temperature dial and heats up quickly to get fondue on the table faster. Convenient features include a fork holder ring to keep forks from slipping into the pot, as well as a magnetic breakaway cord to pull the power in case of accidental yanks. There are also handles on either side of the pot for convenient carrying. The pot is crafted from a proprietary titanium-infused DuraCeramic non-stick ceramic coating that won’t flake or peel over time. The set features eight fondue forks to feed plenty of foodies at once.
Material: Ceramic | Power Source: Flame | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate
While Boska’s Cheese Fondue Party Set won’t feed an army, its 24-ounce capacity is a good choice for intimate dinner parties or cozy evenings at home. The set features four fondue sticks and a ceramic pot that can be used on an open fire, gas stove or in the oven. Just heat the pot up and place it on the stand over the included tea lights. It doesn’t hurt that this pot looks nice, too. Clean-up is simple: Just toss the pot in the dishwasher.
Material: Stainless steel | Power Source: Electric | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate, broth, oil
Fondue pots are always a crowd-pleaser, but the Dash Deluxe Stainless Steel Fondue Maker is something else. This fondue pot is kitted out with elements that make it perfect for dinner parties, including a generous 3-quart capacity and eight color-coded forks. The pot has its own lid with notches to hold forks, so you can keep ingredients warm, even when people aren’t actively dipping food into the pot. A metal ring holds fondue cups for dipping ingredients right outside the pot, putting everything in one spot. Choose from a more classic gray or bold aqua theme.
Material: Enameled cast iron| Power Source: Flame| Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate, meat, oil, broth
Not everyone needs to fondue for a large group. This 1/4-quart set from Staub is just the right size for solo sessions or intimate meals. The pot is crafted from enamel-coated cast iron to distribute heat evenly. The pot can also be heated just about anywhere—on gas, electric and induction stovetops, as well as in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The set includes four forks, a base and a candle to keep your ingredients warm. Choose from matte black and cherry shades.
Material: Enameled cast iron | Power Source: Flame | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate, soup, broth, oil, meal
Twine’s enameled cast iron fondue set holds up to four cups of liquid to give users options. It’s also small enough to place on a crudité or charcuterie platter and retains heat well enough to cook just about anything you put in it. The pot’s cast iron and enamel construction is ideal for even heat distribution, lowering the risk of burning ingredients. An included cover plate provides a spot to rest forks so they don’t slip into the pot. Because it’s made from enameled cast iron, you can use this pot to cook items on a stovetop or in an oven, whether they’re for fondue or not.
Material: Metal, plastic | Power Source: Electric | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Chocolate
You can technically make chocolate fondue in nearly any fondue pot, but Wilton’s Pro Chocolate Fountain is the device to pull out when you want to bring something sweet and fun to the party. This fountain features three tiers to create a cascade and holds up to four pounds of chocolate at once. It also stands 16 inches tall for dramatic effect—and to provide ample space for users to insert their forks or skewers. To use it, heat up your chocolate, add it to the pot, turn on the “flow” button and watch the liquid chocolate cascade.
Forbes Vetted editors regularly research, test and write about items for the kitchen and entertaining. We’re always on the lookout for the best tools to help everyone achieve their culinary goals. From the smallest handheld food gadgets to big appliances, and fun items like fondue pots, we test and review kitchen and dining products regularly. The Forbes Vetted team has conducted meticulous research and published hundreds of product reviews to ensure we only recommend top-notch items.
We have plenty of experience testing and researching kitchen gear like fondue pots. We’ve also reviewed instant pots, copper cookware and stainless steel cookware sets, among many other cooking products and tools. We know the best pots and pans to help you in the kitchen, whether they’re part of a set or a solo item, like a fondue pot. For this piece, we tracked down the most popular fondue pots on the market and analyzed each for elements like materials, power source, ease of cleaning and value. We removed fondue pots that didn’t meet our criteria, with this final curated list of the best options on the market.
There are a few factors to consider when shopping for a fondue pot. Keep these in mind during your search.
There are several types of fondue pots to choose from, including stainless steel, ceramic and enamel coated cast iron models. Cast iron pots “are your go-to for cooking meat in oil or broth because they hold onto heat like a champ and spread it all evenly,” says McCleery. These pots can also usually be used on stovetops and in the oven. Ceramic pots are ideal for cheese and chocolate fondues, given their gentle heating, she says. Stainless steel pots are also easy to clean. One type of fondue pot isn’t necessarily better than another—it usually comes down to personal preference.
As with many items for your kitchen, there is a range with fondue pots. Some models, like the Nostalgia 6-Cup Electric Fondue Pot Set are just $30. However, you can also pay more than $300 for a sturdy enameled cast iron fondue pot set, like the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Fondue Pot. There are also plenty of fondue pots and sets at price points in between.
Fondue pots come in a variety of sizes. Some models will hold as little as 1/4 quart, while others can hold up to 3 quarts or more. One size isn’t necessarily better than the other—it’s about finding the right size fondue pot to meet your needs. If you’re just making fondue for one or two, a small pot should be just fine. But if you plan to use your fondue pot to entertain a crowd or you have a big family, consider investing in a larger model.
One isn’t necessarily better than the other. However, cast iron fondue pots offer more versatility. These pots can be used to cook on a stovetop or in the oven, allowing you to create your fondue and transfer it directly to the table with ease. That convenience and durability typically comes with a higher price tag, though. Ceramic pots also have their value—they retain heat well and are ideal for items that require lower temperatures. They’re also typically dishwasher safe and lower in cost than their cast iron counterparts.
It depends. “If you have a good old fashioned burner, those are very convenient—and there are all kinds of commercial pots that do the job well with these,” Hostettler says. But if you want something to heat for a long time and don’t feel like dealing with elements like fuel or replacing candles mid-meal, consider an electric option. “The plug-in ones are less romantic, but they do the job,” Hostettler says. Consider your proximity to a plug as well—if you plan to use fondue nowhere near an outlet, it may be better to opt for a pot that’s powered by candle or fuel. “Whatever your fondue style or preference, there's something out there that's just right for your next dinner party or cozy night in,” McCleery says.
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