Chocolatiere Electric Chocolate Melting Pot Review

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(More customer reviews)This pot is very simple to use if you just want to melt chocolate for baking or for fondue. It even comes with tiny little fondue forks (although admittedly, longer, nicer looking forks would have been more useful). However, if you are making candy, this pot heats the chocolate too high for tempering chocolate properly (meaning the chocolate resolidifies at room temperature with a nice sheen). You can still use it, you just need to watch it pretty carefully and keep a thermometer handy. You can pseudo-temper by not allowing the chocolate to get hotter than 96 degees F. Chocolate will start melting around 92, just don't let it get much hotter, and it will resolidify at room temp. The lowest temp setting on this device gets it up to about 109. But as I say, if you watch and stir and turn off occassionally, you can still do it.
02/08/11 edit: I've been using this device for two years, so would like to add a few notes regarding comments left by others. No, the device doesn't temper chocolate and it's not meant to. But you CAN get any chocolate (pre-tempered or not) to resolidify (a primary goal of tempering) by heating it up very carefully so it never gets very hot (as I said earlier, no hotter than about 96), stirring vigorously and frequently to aid in crystallization. The problem with this technique is that the chocolate is very thick at this temperature, so impossible to apply in a thin coat, if that's what you want. It also tends to bloom upon resolidification if you mix different chocolates or don't get it to just the perfect temp. All in all, pretty tricky for those kind of jobs. (Real tempering machines start at $400!)
If you're a dedicated candy maker, this ain't the product for you. If you just want to melt chocolate chips, use the microwave. But this is nice for fondue or, if you're not picky about final appearance, coating things per my recommended instructions above. Have fun!!!

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Chocolatiere Electric Chocolate Melting Pot Is perfect for chocolate fondue, making chocolate molds, or deserts

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Trudeau 0823004 Electric 11-Piece 3-in-1 Fondue Set Review

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(More customer reviews)The Trudeau electric fondue pot is a triumph of form following function. Being electric it is very convenient to use and arguably safer than "sterno" units. It is versatile and can be used with cheese, meat or dessert fondues. Compared to others presently on the market, it has the distinct advantage of being the only one truly designed for all three types of fondue.
I tested the Rival and the Cuisinart. Both use direct heat technology, which is fine for oil or broth based fondue which require high heat. However, when you cook cheese or dessert you have use a low heat setting. Both units cycle between "on" and "off" at various intervals trying to keep a steady temperature. This creates either rapid boiling or fast cooling. Making a cheese or chocolate fondue with the Rival and Cuisinart is doable, but be prepared to be stirring the pot a lot to prevent scorching the food. The Westinghouse seems to be the same design as the other two, but I have not tried it.
As for the Trudeau it has several nice features. First, the pot is separate from the heating base. This means you can heat the pot in the kitchen and bring it to the table when ready. The heating surface is teflon coated for easy clean up. The unit is also more "upright" than the other electrics which takes up less space on your table, while looking darn good too. IMHO.
However, what gives the Trudeau its distinct advantage is the unique double boiler system where, when making cheese or dessert fondue, you fill the chrome pot with 20 ounces of water and insert a stoneware crock into the pot. The arrangement allows for even heating at lower temperatures which is essential for cheese and chocolate fondues.
For oil or broth fondues, the chrome pot sit atop the direct heat of the heating base as you would expect. Six better than average fondue forks are included along with a fork holder for the chrome pot to keep the forks from sliding around. Another nice feature is the patented electric plug which eliminates the guesswork of knowing which way to insert the plug into the base.
If you want one fondue pot to serve all your needs, this is the one to buy.

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Turn any potluck night with friends into an extra-special occasion with the help of this electric fondue pot. The 56-ounce unit can be used for hot broth or oil-based fondue when dipping pieces of meat and seafood, or slip its stoneware double-boiler insert into place for serving cheese or chocolate fondue. The mirror-finish 18/10-stainless-steel pot sits securely on top of the electric warming base, which features a nonstick warming plate and offers a simple control dial on the front for easily adjusting the heat from low to high. The stainless-steel pot can also be used directly on the stovetop, making it possible to cook a favorite fondue recipe in the kitchen before transporting it to the warming base, situated neatly on the buffet or dining-room table--no need to dirty a second pot. Six stainless-steel forks come included, each with a brightly colored dot on the end for quickly distinguishing one from the other. For added convenience, a stainless-steel fork guide around the rim of the pot helps keep each fork in position. Other highlights include two loop side handles on the stainless-steel pot, an "on" indicator light on the warming base, and a quick-release magnetic power cord for safety. The 500-watt, UL-approved electric fondue pot measures approximately 9-2/7 by 9 by 9-2/7 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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