The 5 Best Fondue Pots [Ranked]
In this post, we examined 5 of the best-selling fondue pots on the internet. We ranked them 1 through 5 in the table below.
Contents
What are fondue pots?
Fondue is a dish in which people dip bread into melted cheese with long-stemmed forks. While other types of fondue exist, the melted cheese variety is the traditional dish. A fondue pot holds the cheese into which the bread is dipped (Source).
How do they work?
Traditional fondue pots get heat from a flame, usually from a burner filled with alcohol or gel-based fuel. The flame keeps the pot hot enough to ensure the cheese remains liquid. Newer fondue pots use electric to keep the pot hot (Source).
Many experts recommend buying a fondue pot from a reputable manufacturer. This lessens the chance of defects and ensures your pot will last a long time. Also, make sure you know what type of fondue you’re making. Some pots are ideal for cheese while others for hot oil or broth (Source).
Comparing The Options
| Fondue Pots | Our Rating | Price ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Cuisinart CFO-3SS Electric Fondue Pot | 4.6 | $$ | |
 | The Cuisinart 13-Piece Fondue Set | 4.3 | $$ |
 | The Oster Titanium DuraCeramic Fondue Pot | 4.1 | $$ |
 | The Nostalgia FPS200 6-Cup Pot | 3.9 | $ |
 | The NutriChef Fondue Pot | 4.5 | $$ |
How Do They Compare
In this section we’ll deep dive into their differences and similarities:
- The NutriChef fondue pot uses electricity for its heat source. This pot melts both cheese and chocolate. It comes with six forks and the pot’s handles stay cool to the touch. The pot holds over two quarts and has a removable Teflon serving bowl that’s easy to clean. Users said the pot operated as advertised and liked the removable bowl, which made cleanup easy.
- The Nostalgia FPS200 is a 6-cup fondue pot that looks great in stainless steel. Like the previous pot, this one features handles that remain cool to the touch so you can handle it without worrying. Also, like the previous option, this one uses electric to heat the pot and works well with cheese fondue and chocolate. It comes with six matching forks and buyers said the unit heats up quickly.
- The Oster Titanium DuraCeramic fondue pot uses a unique substance for the pot: Titanium Infused DuraCeramic. The advantage to this is its superior non-stick properties and it lasts 8 times longer than other non-stick surfaces. Also setting this apart from other electric fondue pots is the magnetic cord, which breaks off to prevent the bowl from upsetting if someone or a pet gets tangled in the wire. This pot comes with 8 forks and a fork holder ring.
- The Cuisinart 13-piece Fondue Set is the only fondue pot we looked at that gets heat from a burner as opposed to electric. Also setting this apart from the other models is the cast iron construction. Cast iron is known for its ability to retain heat, which keeps fondue hot longer. With no cords to worry about, you can easily make fondue on the stovetop and transfer the pot to the table.
- Last up is the Cuisinart CFO-3SS electric fondue pot. As the name says, this pot uses electricity to heat the pot. It comes with 8 fondue forks and the pot looks great in stainless steel and the non-stick inside surface makes cleanup easy. The 3 quart capacity is enough for most gatherings. This is a solid, no-frills electric fondue pot that will meet most needs.
Best Fondue Pot For 2023
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
This electric fondue pot offered by Cuisinart is elegant, well-made, and suitable for chocolate, cheese, broth, and oil. Users love the nonstick interior, but some do note that the cord is short.
The Cuisinart electric fondue maker measures 6.12”x 10,5” x 7”, and it features a 3-quart stainless steel bowl, a temperature probe, eight fondue forks, and a fork rack. Another great thing about this pot is the removable temperature control, which you can adjust easily for different recipes. What’s more, this fondue maker is built to North American Electrical Standards, and it’s completely BPA free. It comes with 3-year warranty, and you can clean it in the dishwasher.
As a whole, buyers are very satisfied with the performance and quality of the CFO-3SS electric fondue maker, and they highly recommend it as the best fondue pot. A user comments that the fondue maker works far better than she expected and that it cleans like a charm.
The purchaser adds that it works well with cheese and chocolate. Another reviewer states that the pot heats and cools quickly and that it’s very well-made. A user also mentions that she has used the pot for several parties and she is in love with it. She warns that you might have to buy some extra forks, though.
However, some customers have noted that the temperature is difficult to control and that they had issues with the power cord.
The Cuisinart Electric Pot Video Overview
Pros
- Well-made
- Non-stick interior
- A temperature probe
- Eight forks
- A fork rack
- Dishwasher safe
- Removable temperature control
Cons
- Short cord
- Hard to control temperature according to some users
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
If you’re looking for a fondue pot for your next party, you can take a look at this red fondue set offered by Cuisinart. Users love the color, but some do note that it’s smaller than they expected.
The Cuisinart fondue pot measures 13.25” x 7” x 7.25”, and it features cast-iron construction and five color-coded forks, which is great because there will be no mix-ups. Another excellent thing about this product is that it’s dishwasher safe, and it’s suitable for any stovetop. The fondue set is available in red and white, and it’s induction ready.
In general, users praise the design and functionality of the Cuisinart 13-piece fondue set, and they don’t have any major complaints regarding its usefulness.
A reviewer observes that the fondue pot cleans quickly and that its well-designed. She adds that the pot arrived with a couple of recipes and that she is considering buying a second one. Another purchaser mentions that the red fondue maker arrived in excellent condition and well-packed. She shares that it’s one of the best fondue pots she has ever used and that she highly recommends it. A user also states that the pot heats evenly and that it’s easy to use.
However, some customers have noted that the bowl is wobbly and that the enamel coating started to chip away quickly. A couple of users also warn that their pot arrived damaged.
The Cuisinart Cast Iron Video Overview
Pros
- Cast-iron
- Colored forks
- Dishwasher safe
- Induction ready
Cons
- Small according to some users
- Might be wobbly
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
This fondue maker offered by Oster is unique, well-made, and easy to clean. Users love the non-stick coating, but some do note that they are not happy with the cord. The Oster fondue pot measures 5.5” x 13.4” x 8.7”, and it features titanium infused DuraCeramic coating, which last eight times longer than ordinary coating, and removable, adjustable temperature control for convenience.
What’s also great about this product is that it has a magnetic breakaway cord for safety and it’s PFOA and PTFE free. Furthermore, you get eight fondue forks in combination with a fork holder ring.
A customer comments that she has used the Oster ceramic fondue pot several times and that she is in love with it. She adds that the pot arrived quickly and in excellent condition.
Another purchaser mentions that the adjustable temperature setting works great and that the pot is perfect for cooking broth. She highly recommends it for parties. A buyer shares that this is one of the best ceramic fondue pots she has ever owned and that it cooks evenly. She states that the fondue maker cleans easily and that she doesn’t worry about scratching the Teflon when she cleans the pot. However, one customer has complained that the magnetic breakaway cord doesn’t stay in place.
The Titanium Oster Video Overview
Pros
- Unique design
- Non-stick coating
- Removable temperature control
- A magnetic breakaway cord
- Fondue forks
Cons
- Some cord complaints
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
If you love fondue and you want to surprise your friends, this electric fondue pot offered by Nostalgia might be an excellent choice. Users love the quality of the pot, but some do note that it isn’t as easy to clean as they expected. The Nostalgia stainless steel fondue pot measures 8.66” x 8.66” x 8.27”, and it has a 1.4-liter capacity.
What’s more, the pot has a blue-lit adjustable temperature dial, cool-touch handles to avoid getting burnt, and six color-coded forks so that your guests can serve themselves. The fondue maker is suitable for chocolate, cheese, and sauce, and it comes with fondue support ring.
A buyer observes that the Nostalgia electric fondue pot works great with all kinds of sauces that usually burn in other fondue makers. She adds that the cord is long and that the pot heats up quickly and evenly. Another user mentions that the bowl keeps the fondue warm and that it’s perfect for chocolate and cheese. She highly recommends it as one of the bests affordable fondue pots. A purchaser shares that you can clean the pot easily with hot water and a sponge and that the color-coded forks are incredibly convenient.
However, some customers have noted that the fondue pot too small for their needs and that it’s hard to control the temperature. Some also warn that it’s easy to burn the chocolate and the cheese if you’re not careful.
The Nostalgia Video Overview
Pros
- Adjustable temperature dial
- Cool-touch handles
- Fondue forks
- Fondue support ring
Cons
- Too small for some users
- Temperature is hard to control according to some users
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
This electric fondue maker offered by NutriChef is well-design, countertop-safe, and an excellent addition to any kitchen. Users love the removable serving bowl, but some do note they received a used product.
The NurtiCheft fondue pot measures 8.9” x 10.1” x 6.6” with 2+ quarts cooking capacity, and it features a heated electric base for melting cheese chocolate, non-stick surface, power LED indicator light, and cool-touch handles to avoid burning accidents. Another great thing about the pot is that it has an adjustable temperature control so that you can control the cooking easily. Moreover, it comes with six color-coded fondue dipping forks for your guests.
A user comments that the NutriChef fondue maker is larger than she expected and that it works great. The only thing the buyer doesn’t like is that the cord is too short for her liking. Another reviewer mentions that the pot is easy to use and clean and that it melts cheese fast. She highly recommends it as one of the best electric fondue makers available.
A buyer also remarks that the temperature is easy to adjust and that the pot heats quickly and cooks everything evenly. However, some customers have complained that they received a defective unit and that they are disappointed with their purchase.
Pros
- A removable serving bowl
- Non-stick surface
- Light indicator
- Cool handles
- Adjustable temperature
- Fondue forks
Cons
- Cord is too short for some users
- Some quality complaints
What’s Reddit Saying?
Combining Meats?
One Bon Appetit home chef who recently purchased one of these wondered whether they could combine different types of meat with coconut shrimp- and whether this conglomeration of ingredients would result in a bad-tasting dish.
Another member replied that they generally use oil fondue but it’s best to ask ahead about dietary restrictions, like gluten-intolerance, if you’re having a dinner party.
Dipping Options
Another popular forum member wondered whether other Internet users have found creative foodstuffs to dip into cheese creations. One Reddit user responded that some of their more popular creations for dipping purposes come from restaurants and include cubed potatoes, steamed broccoli, apples, and sausages.
Other users said that, indeed, mushrooms are a tasty complement- they recommend letting them saturate in the hot cheese for a couple of minutes so that they heat up, making them even tastier. Other commenters wondered whether they should be raw or sautéed- the consensus seems to be that if you use raw mushrooms that you’ll find they get cooked in the cheese.
Responses really varied with one user saying that they enjoy having soft pretzels as a side complement while others nominated vegetables, bacon and grapes. Then the conversation shifted to the type of cheese that is used- one home cook said that gruyere is particularly delicious with it’s creamy and nutty flavor.
Indeed, while many thought that was a delicious style, others favored Taleggio, Limburger, Munster and different types of blue cheeses for their fondue pot. Another home cook came up with his own specialized list saying that they love pickling things and using them to dip. Their list includes such items as boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, boiled meat, tomato wedges, celery stocks, father beans and broccoli florets.
In Corporate Settings?
One business person says that their workplace invested in a fondue pot and found that it was a fun and delicious communal activity that lends itself to both chocolate and cheese.
Melting Pot Restaurant
Another thread featured a restaurant worker who worked as a waiter at the Melting Pot which is a fondue restaurant. They went into specifics about cheese delivery- saying that, generally, they work with large quantities of shredded cheese delivered in 20-pound cases- it’s mixed with cornstarch. This means there’s lots of food prep- with the tricky part being getting the flour or cornstarch consistency correct so that the melting process is high quality.
Best Recipe?
Yet another thread was sparked by a user wondering what the best recipe was to make a cheese creation. One of the more popular responses was submitted by a user who nominated the following recipe. The way it goes, you’ll use garlic to rub down the bowl, dissolve the cheese and some white wine and stir until it’s completely dissolved so that you can dip some bread in.
Instead of mixing in garlic, in which case you might get chunks of garlic in your mouth, by rubbing it down, the bowl gives off the taste of garlic without the unappealing mouthfuls of vegetable.
Finally, another user provided some common traditions and tips to get the most out of this kitchen appliance- they say that in the event that it is too hot you can always add a little bit more wine. If the consistency is too soft you add more cheese. Interestingly, there is some speculation that in ancient times if the food you were spearing falls off into the mix, if you are a man you have to buy the next round of drinks and if you’re a woman you have to kiss the man to your left.
