Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish that involves melting and scraping a semi-hard cheese over potatoes, served alongside bread and pickles. But the best raclette grills are more versatile than that, letting you cook seafood, meats, and veggies on the top grill, while melting cheese or heating up sauces in small dishes below.
The first thing you'll want to consider when looking for the best raclette grill to buy is the cooking surface. A standard grill plate features ridges that let the fat drip off while also giving your food those lovely grill marks. A flat griddle surface is a little more versatile, since it can be also used to cook things like eggs and crepes, should you decide to use your raclette for brunch, dessert, or more. Last but not least, a grilling stone is a classic choice, and though it takes longer to heat up, it tends to cook food more evenly while giving it a crisp texture. Another plus: You don’t have to use any cooking oils with a stone. And if you're indecisive on this point, three of the grills on this list come with multiple cooking surfaces for added versatility.
You'll also want to think about size: If you want a raclette that's big enough for dinner parties, you'll have to be willing to dedicate some storage space to it. But if you're just going to use it for intimate dinners at home, you can get away with something smaller.
To bring some fun to mealtime and enjoy gooey raclette — or any cheese or dessert that melts well — check out my picks for best raclette grills.
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