Fondue Fuel
The type of fondue you are making dictates the type of pot and fuel you should be using.  Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions that came with the pot for the proper fuel for your fondue unit.

Heat Production
Here are the typical fondue fuel types in order of heat production from highest to lowest:

Butane - Very versatile can be used on low for chocolate fondue, medium for cheese and high for broth and oil fondues.

Alcohol - 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.

Gel fuel - This 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.

Tea Lights -  Use only for small warm units including "chocolate" fondue.  Tea lights do not produce enough heat for cheese or oil/broth fondues.

Butane Fondue Burner 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 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 Fuel 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.