Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set Single Product Review

Is the Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set worth it?

A fondue set is interactive cookware. Diners don't just eat a dish, they complete it by dipping their bread, meat, vegetables, marshmallows and other foods into an irresistible gooey sauce before consuming.

When shopping for a fondue set, you want one that's large enough to accommodate all of your guests. For versatility, it's important to choose a model that can reach and hold a variety of temperatures. When it comes to cleanup, you'll appreciate a nonstick model that's easy to clean or dishwasher-safe.

Cuisinart promises these elements with the Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set, making it seem like a wise choice. BestReviews Testing Lab wanted to verify that these claims were true. Here's what the team discovered.

Testing the Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set 

The BestReviews Testing Lab is made up of a team of individuals who represent a cross-section of consumers. Some testers have extensive experience with a product, while others may have never used it before. This is to ensure a more accurate representation of all types of user experiences.

When evaluating the Cuisinart Electric Fondue Set, the Testing Lab paid particular attention to the overall product quality, ease of use and ease of cleaning.

What is the Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set?

The CFO-3SS is a 3-quart electric fondue set. It arrives in a sturdy box with minimal packaging. Inside the box, you will find the fondue bowl, a plug, an adjustable temperature probe, eight fondue forks and a ring that sits in the top of the fondue bowl and holds all eight forks in place.

As far as specs and features, this model is made of stainless steel, has a 3-quart capacity and 1,000 watts of power. It has a nonstick interior and is BPA-free. You can select from eight temperature settings, and the set comes with a 3-year warranty and recipe book. 

Inline Link: See how the Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best fondue sets.

Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set price and where to buy

On Amazon, the regular price for the Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set is $110. However, it's often deeply discounted, so it's best to purchase during a sale. On Wayfair, the regular price is $145, but again, it's on sale often.

How to use the Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set

Using the Cuisinart is simple. Make sure you place the fondue bowl on a level and stable surface, turn the temperature to "OFF" and insert the probe into the base. Next, attach the magnetic end of the cord to the probe and plug it into an outlet. When you're ready to cook, turn the dial to the desired temperature.

There are eight heat settings on the control. The indicator light illuminates to let you know the bowl is warming up. When the light turns off, the bowl has reached the desired temperature. It's normal for the indicator light to cycle on and off while in use, as this keeps the bowl's temperature consistent.

The fondue pot comes with eight color-coded forks. This is done so users know which fork belongs to them. The forks feel comfortable in your hand, but you must be careful when using them because they can scratch the nonstick coating off of the bowl. The Testing Lab had no problem dipping fruits, vegetables or meats with the included forks. However, bread was a problem because it would slide off whenever dipped into sauce or cheese.

When it came time to clean up, the Testing Lab was pleasantly surprised with how easy the task was. It didn't matter if the dish was chocolate, cheese, broth or oil, the cleaning process was the same. After unplugging, remove the probe and let the bowl cool down. The nonstick surface allows you to clean the inside with just warm water and soap. All the hardened food and stains came off with little effort.

Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set benefits

The main benefit of Cuisinart's fondue set is the pleasant user experience. It's easy to set up, use and clean. Even on your first attempt, you should encounter no difficulty with this product. Beyond that, the set is well-made. It has some weight to it to increase stability, and it holds a large amount of dip. The temperature control is intuitive, the bowl heats up quickly and the included recipes are appreciated.

Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set drawbacks

After extensive use, the BestReviews Testing Lab was unable to uncover any notable defects, flaws or major drawbacks. The biggest issue is the short power supply cord. However, it's important to point out that this is intentional to reduce tripping and entanglement issues. One aspect that the Testing Lab was a little suspicious of was the fact that Cuisinart states that the bowl is dishwasher-friendly. Since the base houses the temperature control receptacle, hand-washing seemed to be a much wiser cleaning strategy than using a dishwasher.

Should you get the Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set?

The Cuisinart CFO-3SS 3-Quart Electric Fondue Set makes a wonderful gift or self-gift for anyone who loves to entertain. It makes snacking a social activity that can be part of family game night, parties or just a special weekend treat. For the quality and ease of use it offers at such an affordable price, this fondue set is an incredible bang for your buck.