Swissmar Copper-Plated Metal Fondue Set
Last updated date: March 16, 2022
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We looked at the top Fondue Sets and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Fondue Set you should buy.
Update as April 6, 2022:
Checkout The Best Fondue Set for a detailed review of all the top fondue sets.
Overall Take
In our analysis of 71 expert reviews, the Swissmar Copper-Plated Metal Fondue Set placed 10th when we looked at the top 15 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
From The Manufacturer
Swiss Traditions: As the inspiration behind the Swissmar “Biel/Bienne” fondue, the Swiss city of Biel/Bienne is rich in Swiss heritage, innovation and quality craftsmanship. Known as the heart of the Swiss watch-making industry, this scenic and historical city thrives on highly-specialized precision manufacturing and is the home of the most prestigious luxury watches in the world. The city of Biel/Bienne lies at the foot of the first mountain range of the Jura Mountains. It is located on the language boundary and is bilingual throughout. Biel is the German name for the town and Bienne its French counterpart, but it is often referred to in both languages simultaneously. Meat fondue originated in France in the middle ages. During the grape harvest, pickers set up pots in the vineyards to cook their meals as it became convenient for them during the day. This ensured a leisurely lunch that could be enjoyed hot and fresh. In later years, meat fondue Beef Bourguignonne was created and became known as the original meat fondue recipe. Today this original recipe has evolved in many variations to include using chicken, seafood and much more. The Biel 11 Piece Meat Fondue set in copper has the traditional look of a fondue set down to the copper plated fondue burner. The set includes a copper plated fondue burner, copper plated fondue pot, splatter guard, rechaud, 6 forks and recipe card.
Expert Reviews
Expert Summarized Score
User Summarized Score
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Our Expert Consultant
Culinary Expert
Julie Chernoff is a long-time member of Les Dames d’Escoffier (past president of the Chicago Chapter, and current co-chair of the LDEI Legacy Awards Committee), the Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
Chernoff is the dining editor of Better, a lifestyle website and print magazine. Her journalism started in the test kitchens of Weight Watchers Magazine. She holds a BA in English from Yale University and is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She has spent the last few decades styling, photographing, teaching, developing recipes, editing, thinking and writing about food.
Overall Product Rankings
1. Oster Adjustable Temperature Non-Stick Fondue Set
2. Good Cooking All-In-One Velvety Smooth Fondue Set
3. Cuisinart Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Fondue Set
4. Nostalgia Cool-Touch Handles Adjustable Fondue Set
5. Wilton Party Chocolate Fountain Fondue Set
6. Prepworks By Progressive Mini Candlelight Fondue Set
7. Swissmar Even Heating Cast Iron Fondue Set
8. Hiware Professional Eco-Friendly Fondue Set
9. VonShef Removable Inner Pot Electric Fondue Set
10. Swissmar Copper-Plated Metal Fondue Set
11. Boska Holland Tea Light Fondue Set
12. NutriChef Countertop Electric Fondue Set
13. Oster PTFE-Free Magnetic Cord Fondue Set
14. Dash Ultra Fast Easy Clean Electric Fondue Set
15. Boska Microwave Safe Ceramic Fondue Set
An Overview On Fondue Sets
You can’t please everyone, especially while throwing a party. Choosing snacks is particularly anxiety-inducing. Food allergies, picky eaters and the amount of cleanup you’re willing to do all play a role in picking your party food. Fondue is a fun and flexible choice that adds a touch of class to any gathering.
To make fondue, you heat up a liquid (like chocolate, cheese, oil or broth) in a communal pot. Once your dipping sauce is warm and ready to go, you use a long-stemmed fondue fork to pick up a small piece of food (like bread, fruit or veggies) and dip it in the fondue pot. The result is a tasty combo of your favorite foods and sauces. It’s also easy for picky eaters to customize; you can dip almost anything in the sauce, so it’s fine if one person wants to use bread, and another wants to try steak or fruit.
Cheese is a favorite savory option for any fondue pot, and chocolate is great for desserts. Chocolate-covered fondue strawberries are a Valentine’s Day favorite. Toasty broth and warm oil are great finds for winter party snacks.
Classic fondue sets consist of a cast iron or ceramic pot, several long-stemmed stainless steel forks and a réchaud. Réchauds are small, portable burners that sit underneath the fondue pot and keep the pot’s contents warm. Réchauds use a gel fuel source to light up and keep your dipping sauce warm. You can buy inexpensive gel fuel in cans or in capsules online.
If you were married in the 1970s, says culinary expert Julie Chernoff, food journalist and member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, you probably received one of these classic sets as a wedding present.
“You would melt your chocolate, or cheese, on the top of a double boiler, and then pour it into the cast iron pot set over the small flame — enough to keep the mixture warm without burning,” she says. “Cheaper versions were set over tea lights.”
Cast iron pots are great for hearty foods, like melting thick cheeses. They excel at maintaining an even temperature for long periods of time. Ceramic pots have some of the same qualities, but they’re easier to wipe down and clean.
If you’re looking for a modern way to enjoy fondue, there are plenty of electric models available. They’re versatile enough to use for all types of fondue, and they have a number of heat settings to help you maintain the perfect temperature throughout a party or date night. Just plug them in, choose your heat setting and enjoy. Many electric sets are dishwasher safe, too.
The newer ones aren’t ceramic or cast iron, but rather made from heavy-gauge stainless steel, so there’s no danger that they might crack over extended heat exposure.
“Best of all, they have thermostats, so the heat can be gentle for chocolate fondue, mid-range for cheese, and high enough to safely cook proteins in broth or oil,” Chernoff says. “Maintaining an even temperature ensures that your fondue won’t burn, which in turn makes the fondue pot easier to clean.”
Once you’ve got a handle on your fondue basics, you’re ready to start looking for the perfect set for your needs. Take a look at our Tips & Advice for specifics on choosing a fondue set.
The Fondue Set Buying Guide
- The first consideration you’ll want to make when choosing a fondue set is whether you want an electric pot or a classic pot heated by a réchaud. Electric pots are a snap to set up, and you can easily maintain your desired temperature with built-in settings. However, some people love the classic look and feel of a ceramic or cast iron fondue pot. Both varieties will make your next party delicious.
- The fondue pot’s capacity is another major consideration to make. Pots come in sizes ranging from four cups to 12 cups. If you have a lot of parties or a large family, a larger pot is a good idea. If you prefer smaller gatherings, date nights or solo evenings with your fondue set, a four-cup pot will do just fine.
- Make sure you’ve got enough room to store and use the fondue set you choose. If you’re in a small apartment, a four-cup set will be easier to set up and stash in your cabinets. If you’ve got a large kitchen, you can go to town with a 12-cup set.
- Electric fondue sets let you set the exact temperature you’d like. You’ll use a dial that’s marked from low heat to high heat to find the exact degree you need to melt your cheese or chocolate.
- If you go for an electric set, check and make sure the cord is long enough to make it to the nearest power outlet. It’s best to avoid using extension cords when using an electric fondue set.
- Check your fondue set’s cleaning directions before you make a tasty mess. Some sets are completely dishwasher safe, some are only partially dishwasher safe and others are hand wash only. If your set is hand wash only, you can fill the pot with gentle dish detergent and water, and let it soak overnight. Everything else can be wiped down with a soft, soapy towel and left out to air dry.
- Many fondue sets come with color-coded forks to help everyone at your party remember which fork is theirs. If your set doesn’t come with color-coded forks, you can add a small dot of paint to the ends so that no one accidentally swaps forks.
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