Family traditions are the heartbeat of our household, and fondue holds a special place among them, which is why I’ve created this list of the best fondue pots. My love for fondue dates back to our honeymoon, where we ate a cheese fondue that remains one of the most exquisite dining experiences of our lives! Once we got home, we promptly bought our first fondue pot, marking the beginning of a cherished fondue tradition!
Over the years I’ve experimented with quite a few traditional cheese fondue recipes including the classic Swiss, or beer and cheddar, but I’ve also whipped up some more experimental versions. Whether you’re a seasoned fondue enthusiast or a newcomer to this delightful dining experience, the right fondue pot can elevate your gatherings to new heights. Check out my top picks for the best fondue pots.
If you want the joy of whipping up a delicious fondue in a pot that’s not only functional but downright stylish, then the All-Clad cast aluminum fondue pot is a great choice. It can be used on many types of stovetop burners (gas, electric, and induction), and is oven-safe up to 600°F, making it a versatile choice for your culinary adventures. Made from durable stainless steel, it has a thick aluminum base and tall, curved sides, making it a rapid-heating marvel for melting cheese or chocolate.
The non-stick insert ensures easy cleanup, so you can avoid the hassle of stubborn residue. The lid is a thoughtful touch, featuring a spacious opening for convenient access to your delectable fondue, plus six grooves to hold the color-coded fondue forks between bites. This fondue maker is suitable for cheese, chocolate, oil and broth, and it would be perfect for Irish Dubliner Fondue.
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Food & Wine and Delish both named the All-Clad Cast Aluminum as the best splurge fondue pot, and Good Housekeeping and Martha Stewart called it the best large fondue pot.
Buy the All-Clad Aluminum Fondue Pot:
The Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot is an absolute game changer in the world of versatile and hassle-free entertaining. In addition to the convenience of a quick plug-and-go electric capability, what sets this electric fondue pot apart is the thoughtful inclusion of essential features, such as the stainless steel ring that holds forks in place and helps prevent splattering, plus color coding on each of the eight fondue forks, so guests can easily keep track of the one they used.
This sleek, 3-quart capacity pot, packs a powerful 1000-watt punch and is suitable for chocolate, cheese, broth, or oil fondues. What I particularly love about this fondue pot is the adjustable temperature probe with eight settings for the type of ingredients and the passage of time. This allows you to effortlessly master an array of recipes, ensuring your culinary creations are always on point.
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Good Housekeeping, Food & Wine, and Reviewed all named The Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot the best overall fondue pot, and it has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon out of over 8,000 reviews.
Buy the Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot:
Cooking up to 30% faster, this budget-friendly electric fondue pot is not just a time-saver, but it’s also energy efficient. Not only does the innovative, titanium-infused ceramic coating ensure durability and scratch resistance, but it also makes cleanup a breeze. Plus, this non-stick coating lasts a whopping 8 times longer than traditional non-stick coatings without flaking or peeling.
The removable, adjustable temperature control ensures you have the correct heat for every fondue recipe, whether that’s cheese, chocolate, meat, oil, or broth, but it does tend to get very hot, so you’ll need to keep an eye on it. The set includes 8 fondue forks and a fork holder ring, making it a complete package for entertaining.
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Good Housekeeping named the Oster DuraCeramic Fondue Set the best nonstick fondue pot, and Delish called it the easiest to use. It also has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon out of over 4,200 reviews.
Buy the Oster DuraCeramic Fondue Set:
If you’re big into cast iron cookware and are looking for a more traditional fondue experience, then the Swissmar Cast Iron Fondue Set is the one for you. What makes this set stand out is its enameled cast iron pot that rests elegantly on a black wrought iron burner stand. The value truly shines through with the inclusion of a paste burner, complete with a 3-ounce fire-gel container, or it can also be used directly on a gas or electric stovetop.
The fondue pot is usable on all heat sources and is easy to clean, thanks to the enameled interior requiring no pre-seasoning. It comes with six fondue forks and is suitable for cheese, chocolate, or oil and broth fondues.
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Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats both named the Swissmar Cast Iron Fondue Set as the best overall traditional fondue pot, and Delish calls it the best fondue pot.
Buy the Swissmar Cast Iron Fondue Set:
If you’re looking to indulge in chocolate, this 16-inch tall chocolate fondue fountain isn’t you’re classic fondue pot, but is an eye-catching display that is perfect for weddings, birthdays, or any special event. The fountain holds a generous 4 lbs of chocolate, ensuring a steady stream of mouthwatering sweetness ready for dipping fruits, strawberries, cake pops, and more.
The practical design features three tiers, allowing you to easily dip a variety of treats, especially when paired with my Nutella Chocolate Fondue. It’s easy to assemble and disassemble and has dishwasher-safe removable parts.
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Delish named the Wilton Pro Chocolate Fondue set as the best for chocolate fondue, and it has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon out of over 3,000 reviews.
Buy the Wilton Pro Chocolate Fondue Set:
Dash Deluxe Stainless Steel Fondue Maker
The Dash Deluxe includes eight color-coded forks, convenient racks to minimize drips, and attachable ingredient cups. The nonstick stainless steel pot is easily removable and dishwasher-safe which simplifies cleaning. The two main drawbacks of this set are the chord is very short, and the ingredient cups, although handy, could be bigger. The Dash Deluxe Fondue Maker is available at Amazon for $59.99.
Staub Cast Iron Mini Fondue Set
The Staub mini fondue set could be worth considering if you’re looking for a more intimate fondue experience. Although it holds less than a quart, it’s the ideal size for two people and has a high-quality cast iron construction for stability. It’s worth noting that the flame may be vulnerable due to exposed sides, and it does have a higher price for a smaller item. The Staub Cast Iron Mini Fondue Set is available at Amazon for $134.95.
Cuisinart 13-Piece Cast Iron Fondue Set
For a more traditional fondue experience, the Cuisinart Cast Iron Fondue Set is a charming choice. Its adorable 1.5-quart pot transitions from stovetop to base, kept warm by fire gel. The handles on each side of the pot are handy for safe and easy maneuvering, and the stunning red colorway adds a touch of elegance. While elegant, its small capacity limits it for larger gatherings, which is why it didn’t make it to my top picks. The Cuisinart 13-Piece Cast Iron Fondue Set is available at Amazon for $60.99.
Nostalgia 1.5-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot
Priced just under $40, this budget-friendly fondue set is versatile for hors d’oeuvres, entrees, and desserts. The set features 6 color-coded fondue forks, a support ring, and a 1.5-quart electric fondue pot. While easy to clean with its stainless steel make, it lacks reliable temperature control, preventing it from making my best buys. The Nostalgia Electric Fondue Pot is available at Amazon for $29.99.
Hi, I’m Sommer Collier, a skilled recipe developer, food stylist, and writer with a passion for both culinary creativity and global flavors. My main aim is to assist home cooks, like you, in mastering diverse cuisines! Here at A Spicy Perspective, I’ve created a collection of delicious fondue recipes designed to be shared with loved ones.
To make this list, I leveraged my personal experience and love of all things fondue, as well as doing a deep dive into other popular fondue pots on the market. I considered various aspects, including different sizes, material types, ease of cleaning, pricing, customer satisfaction, and design elements, to put together this list of the best fondue pots.
Fondue pots can be powered by electricity, fuel gel, or tea lights. Choose the one that aligns with your preferences and available heat sources, keeping in mind that open flames may be too dangerous if you have young kids.
Size and Capacity
Consider the size of the pot based on the number of people you’ll be serving. A larger capacity is suitable for bigger gatherings, while a smaller one is ideal for intimate settings for two.
Material
Fondue pots come in various materials, including stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron. Each material has its advantages. Stainless steel is durable and easy to clean, ceramic provides even heat distribution, and cast iron retains heat well but is heavier. If you want to cook your fondue in the same pot that you serve it in, you’ll want to take into account whether the fondue pot can be used on your stovetop.
Temperature Control
Electric fondue pots offer precise temperature control for a variety of different types of fondues. If you opt for a traditional-style fondue pot, you’ll want to invest in a thermometer to ensure that your ingredients stay heated to the desired level.
The best cheese for a fondue pot is a combination of melting cheeses that blend well to create a smooth and flavorful fondue. Traditional Swiss and French recipes often use a mixture of Gruyère and Emmental, which complement each other in terms of flavor and melting properties. Other types of cheese you can use include Comté, Fontina, Raclette, Appenzeller, cheddar, Swiss, and Monterey Jack.
The best chocolate for a fondue pot is high-quality chocolate with a good balance of sweetness and richness. Opt for chocolate with at least 60-70% cocoa content for depth of flavor. Dark chocolate varieties, such as semi-sweet or bittersweet, are popular choices as they melt smoothly and offer a more sophisticated taste. You can also experiment with milk chocolate or a combination of dark and milk chocolates to achieve the desired sweetness level.
While it’s possible to make fondue in a crockpot, using a dedicated fondue pot is highly recommended for the best results—plus it looks better for serving! If you’re not quite ready to invest in a fondue pot, you can make it in your crock pot by mixing all the ingredients together, cooking it on high, and then reducing the temperature to the “keep warm” setting for serving. Be sure to stir it a few times to ensure that the bottom doesn’t get burned!