The 7 Best Fondue Pots in 2021

Best Overall, Electric: Cuisinart CFO-3SS Electric Fondue Maker

4.6

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While an electric fondue pot isn’t traditional, it’s certainly convenient—and this fondue pot is also very attractive. It has a brushed finish on the bowl and ring, and a mirrored finish on the stand and handles. The ring has notches to hold the forks in place.

This pot can be used with any type of fondue, including oil, broth, chocolate, or cheese. Temperature is controlled with a dial with eight different settings. Foods can be heated right in the pot—no need to heat anything on the stove first. For oil cooking, it takes 10 to 15 minutes to reach 375 degrees. The bowl is 3 quarts and has a nonstick coating for easy cleaning. After removing the temperature probe and cord, the rest of the components can be washed in the dishwasher. Eight fondue forks are included.

Our tester found this stylish pot to be easy to use and well worth the price. While this is designed for fondue, you could use it for keeping soup, stew, chili, or other foods warm for serving as well.

Material: Stainless steel with nonstick interior | Power Source: Electric | Capacity: 3 quarts | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, oil, broth, chocolate

Best Overall, Traditional: Swissmar Lugano 9-Piece Cheese Fondue Set

5

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This enameled cast iron fondue pot has the aesthetic of the traditional fondue pot, so it’s great for traditional cheese fondue meals. The sturdy cast iron pot retains heat well and can be used right on the stove, so you don’t need to dirty a second pot to melt the cheese and then transfer it. The stand is made from wrought iron and holds a gel container that provides the heat.

The enamel coating in the cast iron pot means that the pot doesn’t need to be seasoned before use, but nonstick or wooden utensils should be used for cooking the fondue. It should be hand washed. The pot can be used on any heat source. The pot is two quarts, so it will be useful even after the fondue is over. You can use it for warming sauces or heating milk for hot cocoa, and it’s attractive enough for serving.

Our tester noted that the pot heated quickly but did have a hot spot in the center (where it sits right over the flame), but said it was easy to clean thanks to the enameled coating.

The six included fondue forks have three tines instead of the more common two, so they hold food a little more securely. The set includes one 3-ounce fire-gel container to get you started right away.

Material: Enameled cast iron | Power Source: Fire gel | Capacity: 2 quarts | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, oil, broth, chocolate

Best Budget: Oster Titanium Infused DuraCeramic Electric Fondue Pot

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There’s no need to break the bank to have fun fondue. This very affordable fondue pot runs on electricity, so there’s no need to buy or store the fuel for it, and it’s ready whenever you need it. The pot has a ceramic interior that’s easy to clean when cooking is done, and the temperature control is removable with a breakaway magnetic cord for safety when the pot is on the table.

This set includes eight color-coded fondue forks that match the pot, and the fork holder ring keeps them neatly in place in the pot. The temperature can be set from warm to 400 degrees, and the dial indicates which temperature is best for chocolate, cheese, or for frying meats and vegetables in oil. It holds up to 3 quarts, so there’s plenty of space to store food without needing to refill. With the temperature probe removed, the pot can be immersed in water for cleaning, but it is not dishwasher safe.

Material: Aluminum with ceramic coating | Power Source: Electric | Capacity: 3 quarts | Dishwasher Safe: No | Suitable For: Cheese, oil, broth, chocolate

Best High-End: Swissmar Sierra Iron Fondue 11-Piece Set

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This gorgeous fondue set will look stunning on your table and just as good on display in your china cabinet when it’s not in use. It includes a 1.6-quart fondue pot with handles, six forks, a splatter ring, a stand, a fuel burner, and a grooved wooden base.

The pot is made from enameled cast iron that retains heat at both low and high temperatures, so your fondue will stay at a consistent temperature while you dine. You can heat the pot on the stovetop or in the oven, then keep it warm on its stand once it reaches the proper temperature. Three sturdy legs keep the pot stable and provide easy access to the paste or gel fuel below. The wooden base holds everything securely and protects your table from drips or spills.

While it’s designed to be ideal for meat fondues, you can also use it for cheese or chocolate. When you’re not making fondue, you can also use this for soups, hot dips, sauces, gravies, and stovetop or oven cooking.

Material: Enameled cast iron | Power Source: Fire gel | Capacity: 1.6 quarts | Dishwasher Safe: No | Suitable For: Cheese, oil, broth, chocolate

Best Small: BOSKA Holland Tealight Fondue Set

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Designed for cheese fondue or tapas, this short, square pot comes with a wooden stand and a metal ring to hold the tea light that warms the pot. It includes four forks and comes with one tea light for the first fondue.

Boska makes several styles of melted cheese contraptions powered with tea lights or fuel gel, from personal-sized raclette makers to 54-ounce party-sized fondue pot. This model is the smallest in the line, holding 13.5 ounces of melted goodness.

While this isn’t a classic fondue pot design, it works the same way. Its diminutive size makes it great for fondue as an appetizer or for a tapas dinner. While this is designed for cheese, it can also be used for chocolate. The ceramic pot is dishwasher and microwave safe.

Material: Ceramic | Power Source: Tea light candle | Capacity: 13.5 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Suitable For: Cheese, chocolate

Best for Meat: All-Clad Cast Aluminum Fondue Pot

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This stainless steel fondue set is the right kind of pot for meat fondue, whether it be "Bourguignonne" (where meat is dipped into hot oil for cooking) or Alsatian-German "Fleischfondue" (where meat is dipped into hot broth). This style of pot can withstand the high heat necessary for these types of fondues, and an included cast aluminum insert—which is also oven and stovetop-safe—makes it suitable for use with cheese or chocolate too.

All-Clad has a reputation for top-quality cookware, so it's no surprise that this fondue pot is sturdy and offers even and efficient heating. Made from 18/10 stainless steel, this stylish design is an attractive choice that will look great on your table. The base is designed for maximum stability and the splatter guard helps prevent any spills and splashes. This set also includes eight extra-long forks and the entire set is easy to clean and resistant to scratches.

Material: Stainless steel with cast aluminum insert | Power Source: Fire gel | Capacity: 3.5 quart (pot), 2.5 quart (insert) | Dishwasher Safe: No | Suitable For: Cheese, broth, oil, chocolate