Raclette is the name of a semihard cheese as well as a meal made with that cheese. Raclette, like many of our favorite cuisines, began as a peasant food—cowherds would carry a wheel of raclette on their treks and melt it over bread over the campfire for supper.
It’s now a popular party dish, melted over roasted vegetables, pickles, meat, and bread. It’s often served with tea in Europe, but it’s also delicious with wine or a favorite cocktail. It’s cozy and comforting in the winter and refreshing in the summer when you don’t want to cook. Move over, fondue—raclette is easy to make, customizable, and serves as both a party and a supper.
1. Best Overall: The Rock by Starfrit Raclette 17-Piece Grill Set
What do purchasers think? This product received four stars or higher from 91% of the 300+ Amazon reviewers.
The Rock by Starfrit Raclette is a 17-piece electric set that includes a removable, dishwasher-safe plate. Its features and design aren’t much different from any of the other alternatives on our list, but what sets this set apart are all the well-designed elements that you only discover after you start using it.
Grill your vegetables, meat, and bread on top while melting your cheese on the four trays underneath. This enables you to have not one, but four distinct types of cheese flavored with various herbs, spices, and other delectable combinations. Reviewers like how fast it warms up and how simple it is to manage the temperature. It’s even suitable for children. Raclette night is open to everybody.
2. Best Budget: Swissmar Nordic Foldable Candlelight Raclette
If you’re not sure about raclette or prefer a portable solution, the Swissmar Nordic Foldable Candlelight Raclette is an easy choice. It costs about $20, is illuminated by tea lights (so no gas or electricity is required), and folds down to half its already small size. If not for yourself, it’s a fun and considerate present for any cheese fan in your life, and it may make for a lovely date night. At this pricing, the cheese will very certainly cost more than the set. Reviewers like its mobility and ease of cleaning.
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3. Best Two-Tier: Salton 8-Person Party Grill and Raclette
So you want to host a raclette party. It’s simple with the electric Salton 8-Person Party Grill and Raclette. The nonstick grill pan on top of the device provides enough space for everyone to cook their favorite meat, vegetables, fish, and bread. Everyone may personalize their raclette flavors—think garlic, more spices, different melting cheeses added, and so on—and everyone receives a hot chunk when they’re ready to start eating. Reviewers praise its family-friendly character, stating that raclette night is a treasured family custom that is simple to replicate with this kit.
4. Best Compact: Boska Mini Raclette Cheese Melter & Grill
Listen up if you’re a foodie with a little kitchen. The Boska Mini Raclette Cheese Melter & Grill was designed just for you. Boska is well-known for its cheese goods, particularly the cheese knives it has been producing for the last 100 years. This two-tier electric grill comes with two dishwasher-safe enamel pans and spatulas and takes up practically little space in your kitchen while being well-designed and strong enough to be used for a date night or family supper. Look no farther if you want a dependable little grill.
5. Best Large-Capacity: Boska Raclette Party Set
If you want a bigger set that can accommodate more people, the Boska Raclette Party Set includes eight small scrapers and raclette pans. It’s powered by tea lights, so you can place it anywhere is most convenient, even near a power outlet, making it great for camping or a picnic. The design, which has two rows of four pans, encourages people to congregate around it, which will surely lead to people conversing and trading favorite flavor combinations. Any supper becomes a memorable affair with this set.
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Final Decision
Use our best option to have a fun night with the kids over melted cheese, meat, potatoes, and more utilizing the simple-to-use and easy-to-clean The 17-Piece Rock by Starfrit Raclette Set (view at Amazon). Those on a budget may experience the same delights with the Swissmar Nordic Foldable Candlelight Raclette, which is tiny, eco-friendly, and relatively affordable (view at Amazon).
What to Consider When Purchasing a Raclette Grill
Size
When you’re serving more people than your raclette grill can handle, the size of your grill becomes a concern. Decide if you’ll use it mainly for a romantic meal for two or a large gathering. This will assist you in determining the size of grill you need.
Shape
Which form will feel and operate best for you, round, square, or rectangular? It’s a matter of personal choice, but consider how you and your guests will be cooking together.
Power
Before buying one of these grills, ensure sure the wattage is sufficient to melt the cheese and cook whatever is on the grill section. Some raclette grills use tea lights instead of electrical wires and will take longer to cook your dish. Whether you get one with a chord, check the length to see if you can position it in the middle of the table where everyone can reach it while sitting, or if it will have to be placed on the counter near an outlet owing to the shortness of the cord.
FAQs
What exactly is a raclette grill?
This little tabletop barbecue can melt cheese while grilling meat, vegetables, and even bread for dipping. Small individual amounts are prepared so that everyone may prepare their own.
What exactly is the difference between a raclette grill and a fondue pot?
Everyone creating their own dinner is the same concept, and both entail melted cheese. So, what’s the big deal? The simple fondue is melted cheese in a pot into which everyone dips bread, however the raclette not only melts the cheese but also offers a grill to cook the meat, vegetables, bread, and so on to accompany the cheese.
Can you use cheese other than raclette on a raclette grill?
Raclette may be replaced with any Swiss cheese that melts smoothly, such as Gruyère, Fontina, Emmentaler, or Appenzeller.
