Ever heard of the old fondue tradition? If a man loses his bread in the fondue pot, he has to buy a round of drinks. If a woman loses her bread, she has to kiss all of her neighbors.
Though this isn’t a very common tradition in most countries, it could be a fun fact to bring up at the next fondue party you attend or (hopefully) host. Here are my top 8 fondue pot choices.
If you’re in a rush, here’s my favorite pick at Amazon.
1. Best Overall: Nostalgia 6-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot – Best Overall
This top rated fondue set is arguably the best electric fondue pot on Amazon. It holds up to 6 cups (1.5 quarts) of fondue and will take up about 10 inches of counter space, making it perfect for hosting a small gathering.
The temperature control dial makes this pot easy to use and regulate the temperature of the fondue. But no matter how hot you make your pot, the cool touch handles make it easy to transfer between rooms.
Whether you’re throwing a party or spending quality time with your close family, color coded forks will erase confusion between forks. And when the party’s over, the stainless steel and detachable parts are dishwasher safe.
2. Best for Budget : Swissmar Kindle 7 Piece Chocolate Fondue Set
Looking for something a little cheaper and smaller? No worries! This 7 piece chocolate fondue pot measures just 7 inches wide, taking up hardly any counter room. If your goal is to just have a nice time with your close family, this pot is perfect! It holds about 8 ounces of fondue and keeps it heated for as long as you need.
This cordless, non electric fondue pot is dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe. It includes four white fondue forks for the family. And the best part? It’s not even a gonna cost you a double sawbuck (umm it’s inexpensive).
3. Best Non Electric Set : Swissmar Lugano 9 Piece Cheese Fondue Set
This non-electric fondue pot holds 2 quarts of fondue for your group. The cast iron provides an even heat distribution throughout the entire fondue. It measures about 8 inches wide and can be cooked directly over the stove or on the included wrought iron rechaud (that’s a fancy word for portable stove). This set also comes with 6 fondue forks and a fondue burner. It’s incredibly durable and very easy to clean when you’re done. It even includes a recipe to start you off on your fondue journey!
4. Best for Parties: Cuisinart Electric Fondue Maker
If you’re planning on having a party, you may need a larger fondue pot. The Cuisinart CFO-3SS holds 12 cups (3 quarts) of fondue but has a width of just 10 inches. If you have a lot of friends, it comes with 8 color coded forks.
The removable temperature control makes this perfect for almost all recipes. This is a good fondue pot for oil, cheese, chocolate, and broth. The stainless steel has a nonstick interior that makes it easy to clean.
This fondue set also comes with a recipe book full of amazing ideas that everyone would love. Was your pot accidentally broken during a house party? (yeah I’m looking at you, you party animal). This fondue pot comes with a 3 year warranty. Throw the best parties with this fondue maker.
5. Best Gift: Zen Kitchen Fondue Pot Set
![[Bigger Size and Improved] Zen Kitchen Fondue Pot Set, Glazed Ceramic Fondue Set for Chocolate Fondue or Cheese Fondue – Perfect Gift Idea for Housewarming or Birthday Gift (White)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/3119rSyXVuL.jpg "[Bigger Size and Improved] Zen Kitchen Fondue Pot Set, Glazed Ceramic Fondue Set for Chocolate Fondue or Cheese Fondue – Perfect Gift Idea for Housewarming or Birthday Gift (White)")
Perhaps the most adorable fondue pot is this heart shaped Zen Fondue Set. Though smaller than most, this fondue pot holds up to 26 ounces, making it suitable for 2 or 3 people. If you’re interested in holding a larger party, this is not the pot for you. If you’re looking for a smaller pot that you won’t have to spend too much money on, look no further.
This set comes with an 8×5 inch heart shaped fondue pot. It also includes 6 smaller heart shaped bowls for fruits, vegetables, meat, or any other food you’re interested in dipping in chocolate! This set is not electric and should be used the old fashioned way over an open flame. The cast iron will keep the fondue at the perfect temperature as long as there is an open flame.
Know someone who loves fondue? Give them this adorable set. Though it’s small, this pot will bring their parties to the next level. If they already have a larger fondue pot, they could use their new heart pot to display their pre-made fondue.
6. Best for Kids: Good Cooking Chocolate Melting Pot
Want to make your fondue party even more fun? The Good Cooking Chocolate Melting Pot comes with over 30 accessories for your guests to have a blast!
With just a 9 inch width, this pot holds up to 1 cup of chocolate. But what really makes this pot stand out is the 7 chocolate molds included. They have a variety of molds which include hearts, Christmas trees, teddy bears, stars, cocoa beans, moons, and more. Make the cute chocolates before your guests arrive or use it as a fun party activity! In addition to these fun molds, it comes with 10 fondue forks so each guest can have their own. Do you have 10 friends (asking for a friend)?
Even with all of that, there’s more. This set also includes 12 recipes to inspire you. This set is perfect for kids (or adults) who want to add a little extra fun to their fondue party!
7. Best for Chocolate: Nostalgia Stainless Steel Chocolate Fondue Fountain
This chocolate fountain has a 2 pound capacity that is perfect for parties. While not technically a fondue pot, c’mon, it’s worth changing your mind and going taller! With a width of just 8 inches, this chocolate fountain leaves enough space on your table for your strawberries, bananas, bread slices, pretzels, and marshmallows.
It’s not just for chocolate though. This set has an elegant look and can be used for everything from ranch to nacho cheese. The stainless steel heated bowl will keep your fondue flowing for your entire party. Despite it’s 4 tiers that reach up to 18 inches tall, the Nostalgia chocolate fountain is fairly easy to clean. The durable design lets you have multiple parties without problem.
8. Best Cook and Serve Versatility: Cuisinart 13-Piece Cast Iron Fondue Set
While many fondue pots are electric, there are many non electric fondue pots, such as this one. Fondue can be prepared in this pot on any stove top and then transferred to any surface. The cast iron provides even heating to keep your fondoo temperature and consistency perfect for your party.
It can hold up to 6 cups (1.5 quarts) and is 13 inches wide. This fondue pot provides 6 color coded forks to prevent mix ups between guests. This pot is sturdy and dishwasher safe making it very easy to clean.
Final Thoughts
Fondue is a great way to bring people together. Whether it’s chocolate, cheese, oil, or broth, your guests are bound to have a blast. But with so many options, it’s important to pick what works best for you. A large gathering will require a bigger pot, but you shouldn’t waste your money on the larger pot if you’re only going to have a few people over. While some people prefer electronic fondue pots, others prefer a more traditional approach with a cast iron. The regular ‘pot look’ may be suitable for one person, but another person may want a more interactive or snazzy pot. In the end, it’s all up to you to decide what will be best for your party!
Rose Reinhard is a Thai-American foodie from Chiang Mai, Thailand. She's been a creative writer since she could speak and enjoys making vegetarian/vegan dishes and reading about food science. She claims her air-fryer is the best purchase she’s ever made to date.