The 8 Best Fondue Pots, According To The Good Housekeeping Institute

Swissmar

Amazon

$120.00

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Did you know the Swiss Cheese Union declared fondue a national dish of Switzerland in 1930? The look and feel of the Swissmar Lugano Set is so similar to authentic Swiss fondue pots that you just might be fooled into thinking you're dining at the Castle of Gruyères.

“Swissmar is known for good cookware,” said Papantoniou, and this set is no exception. It has everything you need for a classic fondue night, including six three-prong forks with sturdy faux-wood handles and a wrought-iron stand with a matching tray to slide underneath. Note that some users have found the pot to occasionally slide around on the base if it’s not full, so be careful!

The Lugano's enamel-lined cast-iron pot offers a bevy of benefits like easy clean-up, excellent heat distribution, and the ability to cook at both high and low temps, so you can enjoy everything from a spicy Fireball cheese fondue appetizer to a salted caramel dessert fondue.

“The cast-iron pot retains heat well, and it’s enameled, so you don’t have to worry about heating it and you can use it on all heat sources, even your stovetop,” Papantoniou explained. “It’s a really pretty, modern-looking maker, and the [burner] can easily keep things warm. It’s just a very straightforward model.”

After you heat up your chocolate, cheese, broth, or oil on your stovetop, you can ensure the contents of your pot stay melty and gooey by lighting the gel fuel burner attached to the base. (Swissmar recommends using its own Swiss Fire Gel for best results.)

Nostalgia

Amazon

$34.00

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To quote Andy Bernard from The Office, “I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.” We can’t say for sure that the Nostalgia FPS200 Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot will be the source of some beloved memories, but we can say that it’s affordable enough to find out. This unit is proof that you don’t have to dip into your savings to dip some crusty sourdough into a pot of your favorite molten cheese.

Papantoniou hasn’t tested this unit herself, but she agreed that it would make a good budget option: “It’s a good price, it’s electric, it has color-coded forks and comes in different sizes—6-, 8-, and 12-cup—depending on what you’re looking for. It’s pretty stable and has handles so you can move it around, and it seems pretty easy to operate.”

Boasting a 6-cup capacity that can make up to 1.5 quarts of fondue, this sleek-yet-sturdy stainless steel fondue pot even has notches in its rim to hold each of the six included (and color-coded!) forks in place. Furthermore, its design features thoughtful touches like cool-touch handles, a lengthy 38-inch cord, and detachable, dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning.

Though some may find the temperature control dial built into the base can be a bit finicky, the Nostalgia FPS200 still offers more versatility than comparable models with the capacity to make large and small adjustments.

All Clad

Williams Sonoma

$200.00

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Double, double toil and trouble… Nothing burns, but everything bubbles in the All-Clad Cast-Aluminum Fondue Pot, which features not one, but two fondue pots for optimal versatility.

This model’s outer 3.5-quart stainless steel pot reaches high enough temperatures for using hot oil or broth, while the 2.5-quart cast iron insert—which is gas-, electric-, ceramic-, induction-, and oven-safe up to 600°F—won’t scorch your cheese or chocolate.

Per Papantoniou: “It’s made of good quality material. It comes with little forks that are different colors, so you know whose is whose, and there’s a steady holder for when they’re not in use.” In fact, the pot’s thoughtful design features a secure-fitting lid with eight perfectly-sized holes to safely store each extra-long fork.

The All-Clad Cast-Aluminum Fondue Pot's burner is attached to its sturdy base for maximum stability, and it’s compatible with both liquid and gel fuel. But although this set may seem to do it all, there are a few caveats. All-Clad warns that the outer pot should never go dry during use, so you’ll need to pour some water in there while using the cast-iron insert. Both pots also offer excellent heat distribution and retention, but it’s good to keep in mind that neither is dishwasher-safe. In fact, the manufacturer advises that you should avoid using harsh detergents and abrasive cleaning tools like steel wool or brillo pads if you want to keep your fondue pot looking sleek and shiny.

TL;DR: The All-Clad Cast-Aluminum Fondue Pot is the way to go if you want to live your most fabulous fondue life (and don’t mind spending a serious chunk of cheddar).

crate and barrel

Crate & Barrel

$20.00

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Don’t let a lack of storage space ruin your fondue fun. Coming in at six inches wide and just under six inches tall, the compact Crate & Barrel Glass and Ceramic Fondue Set offers an uninterrupted view of your dining experience with its 24-ounce glass bowl—just the right size for a romantic night of fondue for two.

“If I were to buy a fondue maker, this would likely be it because I always like being able to add a little touch to entertaining,” Papantoniou said. “For example, you can just melt down some chocolate chips for chocolate fondue to add a special touch to a dinner. As a New York City apartment dweller, I also like its compact size, which makes it easy to store.”

Whether you choose to make use of the glazed porcelain stand’s cutout design—which has enough room to fit a tealight—or you prefer to just pop the bowl in the microwave, you can be sure this small-but-mighty vessel is a breeze to use. That means no fussing with cords or lighter fluid, and you can even pop it in the top rack of your dishwasher when you’re done eating for easy clean-up! (Just keep in mind that the two included bamboo forks will need to be hand-washed.)

Cuisinart

Amazon

$80.00

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Haters may say there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. If you’d like to personally test that theory on your own (or, you know, if you want a good fondue pot for entertaining), the Cuisinart CFO-3SS Electric Fondue Maker is large and in charge. Perfect for everything from chocolate and cheese to broth and hot oil, the 3-quart, brushed stainless steel pot is dishwasher-safe and features a BPA-free nonstick lining for ultimate cleanability. Plus, it has a wide enough opening to let everyone dip without any fighting—until you’re down to your last dippables, that is.

“I like electric fondue makers because you can regulate them and use them for different things,” Papantoniou noted. “This Cuisinart Maker has a wide opening, so even two people can use it at the same time. You can wash it easily, it has a removable cord for easy storage, the stand is helpful for propping it up and stabilizing it.”

Though some may find the 20-inch cord to be limiting, we appreciated the adjustable temperature probe, which offers eight settings to prepare a wide range of recipes. This model comes equipped with eight fondue forks and an accompanying stainless steel fork rack for easy storage. And if that’s not enough to sway you, the Cuisinart Fondue Maker’s limited 3-year warranty certainly will.

BOSKA

Amazon

$28.00

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Established in 1896 near Gouda, Holland, it’s safe to say Boska knows its cheese. The BOSKA Holland Tapas Fondue Set is the definition of simplicity. The thick, ceramic pot is microwave- and dishwasher-safe, eliminating the need to stress and slave over a hot stove. And the oak base uses a tealight to keep your chocolate or cheese warm. This user-friendly kit has everything you need to get started, including four fondue forks, a tealight, and accompanying holder.

“[The Tapas] is made of earthenware, meaning it’s like a pot and it heats gently, which is a good thing,” said Papantoniou. She especially appreciated how the pot conveniently “keeps warm over the tealight after you microwave it. It’s easy to clean because it essentially has an enamel coating, and I like the handles on it—you don’t see a lot of fondue makers with handles, but it’s great for transporting.”

It has a 10-ounce capacity, meaning it can prepare up to six ounces of cheese, chocolate, or other warm sauces. But bear in mind that this unit isn’t suitable for cooking meat and or for use on induction or electric stovetops.

Wilton

Walmart

$69.00

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Make your Willy Wonka-themed party dreams a reality with the Wilton Chocolate Pro. Perfect for parties or special events, this 16-inch tall chocolate fondue fountain will impress with its ample size, three heat settings (off, warm and flow), unique bowl design, and three well-spaced canopies for easy dipping.

Papantoniou dubbed the Wilton Chocolate Pro “great for entertaining,” but added that there are some caveats to keep in mind: “You do need a lot of chocolate and you have to keep adding to it to ensure it maintains good movement, but this would be a hit at a party. Just remember you can only use it with chocolate, not cheese.”

Your fabulous hosting skills won’t just look effortless; it really is as easy as 1, 2, 3. First, melt your chocolate in the microwave or on your stovetop while you preheat your fountain for 10 minutes. Second, pour the melted chocolate into the fountain. And finally, turn the knob to the “flow” setting and watch your guests be amazed. However, you will need to pick up your own utensils—or just add “BYOU” to your party invitations.

Plus, the Wilton Chocolate Pro's center tube is easy to disassemble, and all removable parts are dishwasher-safe for quick, worry-free cleanup. Oh, and did we mention it can hold up to four pounds of chocolate?

Oster

Amazon

$39.00

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Who says fondue has to be complicated? Not us, and certainly not the Oster Titanium Infused DuraCeramic Fondue Maker, which is by far one of the most user-friendly sets you can get. A magnetic breakaway cord for optimal safety, eight fondue forks, and a fork holder ring are among the plethora of thoughtful features this unit has to offer. However, you'll need to stay within reasonable reach of an outlet, as this electric model's 30-inch cord isn't compatible with extension cords.

The Oster Fondue Maker’s 3-quart pot features a PFOC- and PTFE-free DuraCeramic nonstick coating and is infused with titanium to prevent flaking and peeling—something Papantoniou especially appreciated.

“You can do a lot of different things with it, and it’s easy to clean because the wide base allows it to be wiped out easily,” she remarked. “It’s a good value, and it has a nice holder, so it stays really stable.”

Per Oster, their Fondue Maker cooks up to 30% faster, so you can dedicate that time and energy you’re saving to more important tasks, like experimenting with new recipes. We also appreciated that the adjustable temperature control dial has an easy-to-read guide for which temperature is best for the type of fondue you plan to have—whether that’s cheese, chocolate, or protein—as well as a warming feature to ensure your food is cooked to perfection.