Fondue Pot Substitute - What Can I Use If I Don’t Have a Fondue Pot?
Author: Diptesh Das
Planning on throwing a dinner party that doesn’t just involve takeouts? One of the best ways to do that, without spending a lot of time in the kitchen, is by arranging a fondue dinner. All you have to do is get some cheese - or chocolate - heated up to serve with a variety of dippings. But what will you do if you don’t have a fondue pot? Don’t worry! Cooking fondue is quite easy by using fondue pot substitutes!
Wondering what that might be like? Read on to find out!
Fondue Pot Substitutes to Cook Delicious Fondue
A fondue pot sure looks elegant, and setting it on the table is half the battle won when you want to impress your guests. But if you don’t own a pot, it doesn’t mean that fondue is off limits! If you want to cook and serve fondue, you don’t need to immediately invest in a fondue pot. Check out the following substitutes for cooking fondue!
a) Slow Cooker
A slow cooker or crockpot is a common cooking utensil in every household - and it is an excellent fondue substitute. After all, the very idea of using a crockpot is “low and slow” cooking. That is precisely what’s needed to cook fondue, especially when you want to use cheese, which requires patience and love.
The process of cooking fondue in the slow cooker is quite easy. All you have to do is put all ingredients in the crockpot and cook it on High for 1.5 hours. Don’t forget to stir every 15 minutes. Let the fondue cook uncovered for several minutes near the end so that all the excess moisture gets the chance to escape.
b) Thick-Bottomed Pot on Stove
Cooking fondue on the stovetop is one of the fastest ways, even when you set the flame burning really low. For cheese fondue, put the wine (or vinegar/lemon juice, if you don’t want alcohol) into the pot first and add chunks of cheese in batches. For chocolate fondue, add cream and chocolate, one by one.
Keep stirring, and once the lumps are melted, and you have reached the desired consistency, remove the pot from the heat. A deep-bottomed pot always seems to procure better results compared to any other type of pot, as it helps distribute the heat evenly and prevents it from getting burnt in the bottom.
c) Oven Broiler
You can also cook fondue in the oven by using the broiler option. Your melted cheese will be ready in about 10 minutes, including the time for preheating the oven. In this method, the “low and slow” cooking principle goes for a toss as the cheese gets direct heat and melts quickly in the broiler pan.
But you have to remember that by using this style of cooking fondue, you get a kind of dip of baked cheese. It is a little different from fondue because the process does not allow the cheese and the wine to emulsify. Besides, since it’s a quick process, it’s best to consume this dip quickly, unlike regular fondue.
d) Double Boiler
A double boiler setup is quite similar to that of an actual fondue pot. In a double boiler, you have to set a bowl of water on the heat directly. On top of the simmering water, you’ll need to place another bowl with a round bottom, in which you’ll cook the fondue. This method lets the fondue cook on indirect heat.
The water in the lower bowl produces gentle heat for a gradual process of melting, thus creating a smooth and silky texture. You will need to stir the fondue constantly, which will further enhance the emulsification process. If it’s chocolate fondue, keep an eye on it to ensure the chocolate doesn’t split.
e) Microwave
Granted, a microwave is never the first choice for anyone who wants to cook gourmet-style food. But in this case, you will not be able to notice any major difference. It’s easy to make microwave fondue, and you won’t need to continuously stir it, though you’ll need to keep an eye on the fondue and monitor it.
Once the fondue has been inside the microwave for a minute, you have to bring it out at an interval of every 30 seconds to check the consistency, and maybe give it a quick stir till you get the gooey, stretchy texture you want. The whole process will take about 5 minutes, and your delicious fondue will be ready.
Keeping Fondue Hot Without a Fondue Pot
Now you know that even if you do not own a fondue pot, you can still cook fabulous fondue, be it with chocolate or cheese. But what happens when you take the fondue off the heat source - and it starts to set? You will need something to provide constant heat to your freshly cooked fondue. Start by keeping individual serving cups and use one of the following -
a) Trivet with tealights
This simple setup requires a trivet. Place the fondue container on the top, and a few tea light candles underneath. This will do the trick and keep the fondue warm while everyone enjoys it with dippings.
b) Baking Dish with Baking Sheet
For this setup, you’ll need a shallow baking dish and place a few tea light candles in it before you cover the dish with a metal baking sheet that has holes. Then, set the bubbling fondue on top of the sheet.
c) Hot Plate
If you have a plug-in hot plate, you can put it on the table and place the whole bowl of fondue on it. It will gently heat the fondue and prevent it from cooling down. You can also set individual cups on it.
d) Slow Cooker
A crockpot is equipped with the Keep Warm option. Use it to keep your fondue warm. But remember that fork tines can scratch the insides. So, it’s better to serve the hot fondue in separate cups as needed.
f) DIY Tin Can Stand
If you’re a crafty person, you can use a tin can and a knife to make a cute little fondue stand for yourself. You’ll have something that not only makes your date night special but also doubles as a candle holder.
Final Words
It’s okay if you don’t own a fancy fondue set. You can use cooking utensils in the kitchen to cook fondue. As for keeping it warm, you can try DIY setups or alternative methods. It’s best to complement these setups with ball jars, ramekins, ceramic cups, etc., for individual service to make the heating process easier. Plus, who wouldn’t love to enjoy having their personal bowls full of chocolate or cheese?