Customer Reviews

Farberware 10-Piece Fondue Set, Stainless Steel

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This is my first (and current, but looking to upgrade) fondue set.

I wanted to start making fondues and this set was inexpensive and included all the necessary pieces (forks, burner, stand thingy, recipes)

I didn't want to lay out a bunch of cash up front because I wasn't sure how much fondue I'd actually be making. Turns out, I now make fondue at least once a month, and my friends love it when I announce "Fondue Night."

The set works for all kinds of fondues, but with cheese and chocolate fondues you do need to be very attentive to the burner, and turn it off sometimes. The pan is thin enameled steel, and I have scorched both cheese and chocolate so far -- whoops!

My friends have now and again expressed dismay at where to find fondue fuel, but it can be picked up at stores like bed, bath & beyond for a couple of bucks. So again, the burner included is more than sufficient for fondu-ing.

The black enamel looks classy, and as fondue night is usually candlelit at my house, it doesn't look too cheap or chintzy. I usually leave the splatterguard off, because I've found it adds a little too much height to the fondue pot, and I don't usually make oil fondues. The wooden handle screws off the pot, which can then go into the dishwasher.

I also got a fondue recipe book to go with this little baby (yes, here at Amazon) you can find it if you search for ISBN 0812013719 -- the dessert fondues are incredible, especially the toblerone fondue.

Now that I've started the fondue fun, I am looking for the next step up -- a heavier fondue which has more even heating and will suit cheese and chocolate fondues better -- like the bodum with glass insert or le creuset. I would recommend this fondue set if you're just starting out and not sure how much fondue you will be doing.

One last note, I have also found the fondue forks are handy for fishing pickles, olives and cocktail onions out of long, narrow jars.

The first question to ask when considering purchasing a fondue pot is: Fire or Electric? The fire burning sets, such as this Farberware are less expensive, therefore more tempting, but if you are a fondue beginner or infrequent user, pay... more for an electric set, for the following reasons.
It is harder to control temperature with a burner set like this one, the electric sets are much easier to control the temperature by just setting the dial, so when you are having your fondue you can enjoy the meal without having to worry about the contents burning or not being hot enough.
With the electric pots, they are heavier guage material, and you can put them on the stove to get the contents melted to start, then place them on the hot plate to keep at that temperature. With the thinner guage pots in the burner sets, like this one, you have to do all heating from the burner stand. The electric sets usually are teflon coated for easier cleaning, this pot being stainless steel.
It is very much like learning to drive a car, when you first learn, learn on an automatic, then learn to drive a stick shift later. Driving a stick shift can be more fun, more sexy, but it takes more work.
That said, as this is our 3rd fondue pot in the house, we use it for back up at fondue parties, my wife having lived for a time in Switzerland has no problem controling the burner heat, and she even places the pot on the stove to get it started, which the instructions say not to do, but can be done, if done carefully.
And fire is more romantic than electric.
This is a good pot for a burner pot, and a good second pot if you already have an electric. For you learners, or one-potters, consider the electric style first.

have used it less than a handful of times in a few years. when i bought it the description was not detailed enough and being new to fondue - i did not know what i needed. this is only useful/recommended for oils and non-dairy, non-chocolate fondues. no place to buy pieces to make this more versatile. the length of forks is good. it is stable for adults - would not suggest for ages who do not have total coordination. it does go in dishwasher so that is good, just not versatile.