Whether you're serving cheese, meat, or chocolate, the best fondue pots bring the '70s vibes and make mealtime a fun, communal experience. But finding the perfect fondue pot isn't quite as easy as choosing the one that meets your dinner party aesthetic. In fact, there are many different models to choose from — from ceramic to cast iron to stainless steel — and they all offer something different.
So, to find the perfect pot that won't end up merely collecting dust, it's worth doing a deep dive into the materials. First up, you have your glazed enameled pots, like cast iron or hard-anodized aluminum, that are durable and thick enough to stand up to high heat, and versatile enough to serve cheese, meat, and chocolate. These pots also have the added benefit of also being safe to use over a stovetop.
Next, you have ceramic fondue pots. Because they're able to maintain a constant temperature, they're perfect for chocolate and cheese because the bubbling sauces will neither burn or re-solidify. However, ceramic models can't withstand the high heat needed for hot oil fondue, so it's best not to cook meat in this option.
If fondue bourguignonne is your number one priority, you'll want a stainless steel or copper pot, as they can withstand very high temperatures. While perfect for meat fondues, stainless steel may scorch cheese or chocolate.
Lastly, you have electric fondue pots, which offer full versatility (you can serve cheese, meat, or chocolate) without having to deal with a fuel burner. That being said, they also require that you have the pot close enough to an outlet. Depending on where your table is, you may need an extension cord (i.e. trip hazard!), so that's another thing to consider.
With all that in mind, it's time to find your perfect fondue pot. Below you'll find five fondue pots that are all under $100 and come highly rated on Amazon.