Fondue Fuel

Fondue Fuel

• Butane Fondue Burner Unit

  Butate is very versatile can be used on low for chocolate fondue, medium for cheese and high for broth and oil fondues.

  
  butane fondue unit

  This is a new style fondue fuel unit. It is a one piece design that stores butane in the tank. It offers the most adjustability of any fondue fuel unit.  The butane is odorless and safe to use.
  
  butane fondue fuel cannister
  
  Butane fuel:  refill canisters are available at most hardware stores and come with a variety of "tips" to fit a range of household butane devices like lighters and cooking torches.
  
  Uses: Any fondue, cheese, chocolate, oil or broth. It is the best choice for oil and broth.
  
  Heat Duration: High, 1 hour, medium 3 hours, low, 9 hours. This can vary depending on the size of your butane unit.
  
  Other Features: butane is safe and odor-free and and provides excellent control over the amount of heat produced.

• Alcohol

  Alchohol is as versatile as butane when used with an adjustable burner unit. A small flame is good for chocolate, medium for cheese fondue and maximum for oil or broth.

  
  alcohol fondue burner unit
  
  There are two types of alcohol units. The one show above is a small tin filled with glass wool.  Alcohol is poured over the wool then ignited with a match.  The other style actually has a small receptacle with a wick. The receptacle is filled with alcohol and the wick is ignited.  The flame on both style burners is controlled by the amount of air that is allowed to flow through the adjustable lid.
  
  Alcohol fuel- Use only Denatured alcohol or isopropyl alcohol.
  
  Uses: Any fondue, cheese, chocolate, oil or broth. It is as good as butane for for oil and broth fondue but is more cumbersome to deal with.
  
  Heat Duration: 3 ounces on High will burn approximately 90 minutes.
  
  Other Features: Generally safe and easily obtained at most hardware stores or grocery stores.
  
  Never add more fuel to the tin while the fuel is burning.
  Never add more than 3 ounces at a time OR overfill the container.  Overfilling can cause dangerous flare ups.
  Never move a fondue unit while the heat source is burning.

• Gel Fondue Fuel

  Gel fuel includes Sterno in tins or small units or bottled. Again when used with an adjustable burner unit it works for most fondue types but does not as desirable as alcohol or butane for oil or broth fondue.

  
  gel fuel fondue burner unit photo: gourmetsleuth.com
  
  This is a very common style fondue burner. It has three pieces. The piece shown on the left is the "extinguisher". This should be placed on top of the burner when you want to extinguish the flame. The burner unit has a bottom that holds the gel fuel and a fitted cover with adjustable vent holes to dampen the flame up or down.
  
  Uses:  Best for cheese or chocolate fondue. Not the best choice for hot oil and broth fondue.
  
  Heat Duration: 3 ounces on High will burn approximately 90 minutes.
  
  Other Features: Generally safe and easily obtained at most hardware stores or grocery stores. **Never add to the fuel tin while the fuel is burning.