Different quality fondue sets..... THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!

[jonnyGURU]

As a gift, we got a cheap Roscho fondue set.

I can see the potential fun in this and my bad experience with Roscho has not dampened my desire for a better fondue set.

I fill the burner with alcohol, light it and cook cheese and chocolate at the table while spearing my food with very sharp forks! FUN! But this Roscho unit......

The metal used is HORRIBLE. I think it's JUST steel. For those of you who think that's all you need, you're wrong. Take a look at a good quality Revere unit. It's actually a copper core depite the stainless steel finish outside. Copper disipates heat better. Cast iron as well. This damn pot would create a 3MM square hot spot where everything would burn at the bottom of the pot. Even with the flame all of the way lowered! :|

And then there's "design issues". The Roscho top (the slotted cover that you rest the forks on) does not have a ddep enough lip to keep the top firmly on the top of the pot. MOST OF THE TIME when you rest your fork, the lid flops off of the top of the pot. I ended up grabbing the top and throwing across the room. People like yakko and SuperSix know that for a hot head like me, throwing items across the room is my best medicine.

Anyhoo.... For those interested in doing fondue at home, IT'S FUN. I recommend it, especially for couples on Valentine's Day or an Anniversary. You're signifacnt other will love you for melted chocolate and torn up croissant pieces... JUST BUY A DECENT FONDUE UNIT!

 

[ChrichtonsGirl]

For cheese fondue, ceramic is best. But I know what you mean - my parents have some weird fondue fetish, and have four different pots. You can really tell the difference between them all - the stainless gave the cheese a really gross burnt taste, the non-stick coated are better and the ceramic is the best.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I'm bummed. I used to have a ceramic one from the seventies. VERY retro looking. It was that "70s Green" color and was actually in VERY GOOD condition, but the frame was metal and rusted so we had to throw it away in our last move.

Guess I'll have to go "fondue pot shopping" today.

That's cool. I've got to buy a silverware tray, a vacuum and a leaf blower today anyway so it's not like it's going to be one of those days where I stay online surfing Anandtech all day.

 

[Locutus of Board]

This is going on the AT LINGO in your honor Johnny.

YGWYPF - You get what you pay for

 

[Regine]

I love fondues.

But here is my favorite thing, and I've never seen it over here in the USA.
In Germany we bought this rectangular stone once. This stone you then put into the oven with some olive oil on it and bake it until it gets really really hot. Then you take it out, put it in a holder and use the stone to cook your meats and veggies. It is soooooooooo damn good.
But I've never seen it over here. And the electric griddle thingie just wouldn't be the same

 

[Adul]

<--- has never had or seen fondue

 

[konichiwa]

I bought a fondue pot for a present last christmas. Very good one, retailed at about $250 and I got it for $75.

I looooove fondue!

 

[jonnyGURU]

$250 for $75?!?!?

Auction site or a GOOB sale?!??!

 

[yakko]

Why didn't you have Patco Tools and Engineering make you a new stand for your fondue pot? While you're out shopping keep an eye for my bike.

 

[NoreagaCNN]

I've made Fondue with a Double Boiler. (Yes I know how to cook, My girl loves it. hehe) BTW Double Boiler is 1 pot on the bottom filled with water then a pot on the top to melt the chocolate or cheese, works pretty good and its not as expensive as a set.

-Nore

 

[jonnyGURU]

Yes, a double boiler is good for making foudue, but it's not as portable as a fondue set.

yakko: The stand is fine. The pot and it's cover sucks. READ DAMMIT!

 

[yakko]

<< VERY retro looking. It was that &quot;70s Green&quot; color and was actually in VERY GOOD condition, but the frame was metal and rusted so we had to throw it away in our last move. >>


I did read dammit I just didn't clarify.

 

[ultravox]

Just a quick question while we're on the subject of Fondue's. I heard mention of Chocolate and cheese fondue but none of fondue bourguingon or chinese fondue.....are these not known in the US or just not popular?

BTW Toolgirl (love that name ) what you speak of is known as &quot;Racqulette&quot; here in Quebec except now they make them electric powered and teflon coated....might just as well have invented something totally different but called it that. I have one of those and it came with a little burner similiar to Fondue sets.

 

[DadofOne]

Every year, we travel to the Dreaded Mother-in-Law's for one of the few days she cooks---Christmas eve is the meat and cheese fondue---hot oil for the meat, and the bread and cheese fondue on the other side. A strange custom, for sure, but yummy!

 

[Regine]

<< as &quot;Racqulette&quot; here in Quebec except now they make them electric powered and teflon coated >>


See, I think having them electric powered just takes the fun out of it.

MMmmmmmmm.
Cheese fondue
Chocolate and meat fondue is good too - haven't tried fish yet.

 

[ultravox]

Chinese Fondue is really the best. It is made with paper thin slices of beef about 4inches round. You roll them up on the end of the fork and cook them in a boullion which is more or less an onion soup. They cook in about 30-40 secs. Then they are dipped in a variety of different sauces such as Chutney or Garlic and Mayo or any number that can be invented by the cook. Served with a baked patato and liberal amounts of French bread or garlic bread. It must be tasted to believe how good they are. The day after , you can eat the boullion also.