Raclette Buying Guide

Raclettes need some kind of heat source, be that electrical or chemical, space to melt cheese/warm sauces and a cooking surface. With that basic criteria in mind, my first recommendation is the hengbo Raclette Grill 8 Person. It has a medium size cooking area which is more than enough to cook for up to 8 people and part of the cooking surface is flat to provide a bit of versatility. This was the first raclette I bought and as a result of the many great summer evenings I spent using it, I have bought bigger and better raclettes. This raclette is great value for money and ideal if you want to try out ‘racletting’ without much of a financial commitment. I love the wooden styling on this model, which adds a touch of sophistication to an otherwise basic model.

The Standard Model

To truly get the full ‘raclette’ experience, you need to be cooking on a stone surface. This is because stone, such as granite, gets to a temperature that can truly allow you to ‘sear’ meat, thus locking in the moisture and thus the flavour. I have found a noticeable difference in the tenderness of steaks cooked on metal raclettes (such as the hengbo above) versus stone-surfaced raclettes. So with this in mind, my next recommendation is the Giles & Posner EK1872G Electric Stone Raclette Grill – Indoor Tabletop 8 Person Raclette.

The Party Model

The raclettes above are ideal for 2 to 4 persons. So what happens when you want more of a party feel? There are bigger, more versatile raclettes available. As you would expect, the cost increases with the size. My next recommendation is the JOYAMI Raclette Grill, Electric Table Grill with Natural Grill Stone and Grill Plate, Raclette. This raclette features two cooking surfaces. One is a standard stone surface, whilst the other half is a two-in-one. On one side, it is a griddle pan for cooking meat, fish and so on. On the other, you have a handy mini-crepe pan. The cooking surface is 18 x 9¼ inches, so more than enough room for multiple guests. It is both easy to assemble and easy to clean.

The Advanced Model

Once you have mastered using a raclette, you may want to think about bigger surfaces for more people, deeper pans for more flexibility, and even other features such as integral fondue attachments. There a two or three advanced-level raclettes on the market, but my recommendation (and my personal current model) is the Andrew James Electric Raclette Hotplate Party Non Stick Grill Machine. This model has a cooking area that can cater for up to 8 people and also comes with a grilling stone. Unlike other Raclette grills this model combines a grill and fondue set, getting the best of both of these dinner party experiences. the fondue pan replaces the grill and can then be used for chocolate, oil, stock or cheese fondues. This is a raclette that really does have everything and I cannot recommend it enough.

What do you think makes a great raclette? What other types of raclette have you used? Join the discussion below:

There are a plethora of raclettes to choose from. In this section, we will review some of the currently available raclettes on the market and explore why different types of raclette may suit different circumstances.