Stainless steel is a good choice for meat fondue, since it provides constant conduction and even circulation of heat for the cooking oil or broth. The pot has two carrying handles made of heavy, heat-insulated black plastic. The bottom of the pot is notched to provide stability when the pot is set into the stand. Each stainless steel fondue fork has a black plastic handle to shield hands from heat and a different colored finial, so fondue dippers can keep track of whose fork is whose. A fork guide fits over the lip of the pot and offers notches for each of the six forks. The sturdy black metal stand sits snugly on a matching tray, which has an indentation to hold the gel fuel burner. The burner itself has a swiveling adjuster for two heat settings and a cover for extinguishing the flame.

Place fondue set in the center of a bare table or counter for best results; setting it on a tablecloth could be hazardously slippery. The steel pot, condiment cups, and fondue forks are dishwasher safe. Hand wash stand and tray with nonabrasive cleanser and scrubbers to avoid scratching paint. This 15-piece set from Trudeau comes with two basic meat fondue recipe variations. The 8-cup steel pot measures 8-1/2 by 7-1/2 by 4 inches; the metal stand is 8-3/4 inches across by 3-1/4 inches tall. Each fondue fork is 9-3/4 inches long. The gel fuel for the burner is not included; Trudeau carries it, as do many hardware and kitchen stores. The burner is not meant to be used with liquid fondue fuel. A gel-fuel instruction sheet is provided. Trudeau guarantees this product with a five-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. --Garland Withers

What's in the Box 8-cup stainless-steel pot; black metal stand; black metal tray; fork guide; six stainless steel fondue forks; metal burner; four 1-cup black stoneware condiment cups