The 7 Best Fondue Pots of 2020

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

Excellent

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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.

While this is designed for fondue, you could use it for keeping soup, stew, chili, or other foods warm for serving as well.

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

Excellent

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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 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.

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.

Best for Cooking Meat: Trudeau Alto 3-in-1 Electric Fondue Set

Very Good

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While cheese and chocolate fondues are quite common, fondue pots that can handle the high heat of cooking meats are less common. Those that can handle the heat sometimes overcook and burn cheese or chocolate, but this one can handle all three with ease.

This pot holds 84 ounces, so there’s plenty of space for hot oil, but it also includes a ceramic double-boiler pot for cheese and chocolate that fits inside the metal pot. Water in the metal pot shields the ceramic pot from excess heat and even heating when cooking chocolate or cheese.

The electric base has a thermostat to control the 1500 watts of power, so you’ll have plenty of heat for cooking in oil or broth. It has an easy-release power cord for safety. The set includes six fondue forks.

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.

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.

Best for Cheese: 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.

While this isn’t a classic fondue design, it works the same way. The small 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.