Owning a fondue pot is convenient and efficient, but not all of us can afford it. If you want to make cheese fondue and have no fondue pot, you’ll likely begin to think of how to make cheese fondue without a fondue pot.
You can make cheese fondue without a fondue pot with a heavy-bottom pan or glazed ceramic pots. Set up the pot stand and ensure that the tealights underneath are not too many to prevent the cheese from burning. The glazed ceramic pot is often an earthenware pot with a coating.
If your ceramic pot isn’t glazed, your cheese may be contaminated. So, what is the step-by-step process to make cheese without a fondue pot? This article has the answer to this and any other questions bothering you about how to make cheese fondue without a fondue pot.
Can You Make Cheese Fondue Without a Fondue Pot?
Using a heavy-bottom pan, you can make a cheese fondue without a fondue pot. Set up a rivet to help the pot stand, and place a couple of tea lights underneath to ensure enough heat for the cheese fondue inside the heavy-bottom pot pan.
However, set only a few tea lights underneath to prevent the cheese fondue from overheating. If you don’t have a heavy-bottom pot pan, you can use an enamel-cast-iron steel pan to make cheese fondue without a fondue pot.
This step should be easy for you just that you have to stir it continuously to prevent the cheese fondue from dipping, and not over the flame. Asides from getting cold, it will prevent it from burning.
Ceramic pots are good but can quickly burn the cheese. They don’t have a heavy bottom to hold the heat of the cheese fondue while inside the fondue pot. So, when you have no fondue pot, consider using an enamel-cast-iron steel pot or pan.
If you must use a ceramic pot for your cheese fondue, ensure the ceramic pot is glazed. It absorbs water, mold, or even bacteria if it’s not glazed.
What Kind Of Pot Do You Use For Cheese Fondue?
To make cheese fondue, you can use a glazed ceramic pot or enamel-cast-iron steel pan. It absorbs water and bacteria. If you control the heat, your cheese is less likely to burn. However, there are other types of fondue pots you can use for cheese fondue.
- Enamel-Cast-Iron Steel
The enamel-cast-iron steel fondue pot is one of the best pots you can use to make cheese. This pot works fine because it has a non-stick coating to make cooking easier. It can also control temperature and prevent your cheese from burning.
- Stainless-Steel Pot
Stainless steel pots are also a good choice for cheese fondue. The lightweight metal material transfers heat quickly to the cheese inside the pot.
- Heavy Bottom Pan
A heavy bottom pan is made with sturdy materials, which makes it have a thick base. It conducts heat properly by absorbing the excess. It absorbs the excess heat, reduces overheating, and prevents the cheese from burning.
Despite this, there are factors you need to consider when choosing a fondue pot for your cheese-making.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Fondue Pot For Cheese Making
- Cooking Capacity
Knowing the quantity of cheese you want to cook is very important. You must get a bigger fondue pot if you’re cooking a large block of cheese.
- Quality
You wouldn’t want the quality of your fondue pot to wear out after a few uses, so you should ensure to purchase the best quality. Fondue pots like glazed ceramic, stainless steel, and enamel-cast-iron steel are best for making cheese fondues.
- Heat Source
Using the right heat source is also vital because if your heat source is excessively hot, it will quickly burn your cheese.
How To Make Cheese Fondue Without Fondue Pot: Step By Step
Making cheese fondue without a fondue pot requires a low flame to prevent the cheese from overcooking. Asides from burning, you may end up with a cheese fondue that’s not well-cooked. Now! Get your aprons on; let’s start making our cheese fondue without a fondue pot.
Step One
Prepare Your Ingredients
To make cheese fondue without a fondue pot, you need the following ingredients.
- Milk
- Groundnut oil
- Cake flour
Note that the milk should be liquid and not dry. If you don’t have groundnut oil, you can use olive oil. Also, you can use any other type of flour aside from cake flour. It all depends on what you have in your kitchen.
Step Two
Prepare Your Pot
- Get your glazed ceramic, cast-iron-enamel, or any other type of heavy bottom pot.
- Wash the pot clean and use a kitchen towel to dry the inside.
- Ensure that there are no leakages on the bottom of the pot.
- Once the pot is dry, coat the inside with groundnut oil (or any oil you choose).
- Sprinkle your flour inside. Coat it well to ensure it covers the inside of the pot, and pour out the excess.
Step Three
Prepare Your Cheese Fondue
When you want to make cheese fondue, you cannot use any cheese you find. Also, you don’t just put the block of cheese into the pot to start cooking. Here are the rules to follow when making cheese fondue.
- Use good quality cheese. Your cheese should be buttery, smooth, and easy to melt. You can use Gruyere or cheddar cheese.
- Grate the cheese. Grated cheese is the best when making cheese fondue because it melts quickly. You’ll have a tasteless and crumpy cheese fondue if you chop the cheese.
- Ensure you coat the cheese with cornstarch or any starch of your choice. Doing this will make the cheese easier to cook, faster and better.
Step Four
Set Your Cooker
This step is necessary because if you cook on a very low flame, you’ll end up with an undone cheese fondue. If you cook on a high flame, your cheese fondue will be overcooked. Set the cooker to low heat to ensure that your cheese fondue comes out well. Doing this will give you the perfect texture of cheese.
Step Five
Start Making Your Cheese Fondue
- Place your heavy bottom pot on the low-heat cooker.
- Put your shredded cheese inside the pot.
- Add any ingredients of your choice to taste. You can use garlic, onions, pepper, seasoning cube, lettuce, etc.
- Cook for about 5 minutes at 150°F
Can You Make Cheese Fondue In A Metal Pot?
You can make cheese fondue in a metal pot. Just ensure that the pot has a heavy bottom. To cook, heat the pot to 113°F. Use groundnut oil to coat the inside of the pot, then pour in the milk. With the right temperature, your cheese fondue will not overcook or come out undone.
However, you should note that a metal fondue pot only works suitably for a cheese fondue that requires cooking on high heat.
Can I Use A Crockpot Instead Of A Fondue Pot?
You can use a crockpot instead of a fondue pot. A crockpot is a type of pot known as the “slow cooker.” It can retain the heat of food for as long as eight hours. Also, it has a heavy bottom that makes it suitable for cooking on low flames. Here are the instructions on how to use a crockpot for cheese fondue instead of a fondue pot.
How To Use A Crockpot For Cheese Fondue Instead Of A Fondue Pot
- Turn on your cooker and set it to a warm temperature.
- Coat the inside of the crock pot with groundnut or olive oil.
- Coat the cheese with flour and put it inside the crockpot.
- Place a saucepan on the cooker and add white wine. You can add additional ingredients like garlic, white pepper, onions, etc. if you so desire.
- When the wine has boiled, pour it into the crockpot filled with cheese.
- Use a whisk to mix them together till it comes together.
Ensure that your cheese is processed and not naturally made. A naturally made cheese will not give you the desired texture of tasty and smooth cheese fondue.
Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue
Equipment
- Fondue Pot
- Heat Source
- Cutting board and knife
- Wooden or Metal Skewers
- Long-Handled Spoon or Whisk
- Garlic Clove
- Serving Platter or Plate
Ingredients
- 400g Gruyère cheese
- 1 clove garlic, halved
- 300ml dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or flour
- A pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 French baguette or crusty bread, cut into bite-sized cubes
Instructions
- Start by grating the Gruyère cheese and set it aside. If using Emmental cheese, grate it as well. A combination of the two creates a more flavorful fondue.
- Rub the inside of a fondue pot or a heavy-bottomed saucepan with the cut sides of the garlic clove. This imparts a subtle garlic flavor to the fondue.
- Pour the white wine and lemon juice into the fondue pot and heat it gently over medium heat until it simmers. Do not let it boil.
- Gradually add the grated cheese to the simmering wine, stirring continuously in a figure-eight motion until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch (or flour) with a little water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the fondue pot to thicken the mixture slightly. Continue stirring until the fondue reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.
- If desired, add a pinch of nutmeg and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors of the fondue. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Place the fondue pot on a fondue burner or a low heat source to keep it warm and gooey. Stir occasionally to prevent the cheese from sticking to the bottom.
- Serve the Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue with bite-sized pieces of French baguette or crusty bread. Spear the bread with fondue forks and dip it into the luscious melted cheese.
Video
Wrap Up
There you have it! The practical methods on how to make cheese fondue without a fondue pot. If you have difficulty getting the cheese fondue of your desired texture, add white wine to it while cooking. The white wine will help melt and smoothen the cheese.
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