Frederic Melton
A cheese fountain is a fun and novel way to liven up a buffet table at a party or event. It is a dressed-up version of a classic fondue pot and can be used to add an element of interactivity and theatre to a variety of occasions, from birthday parties to weddings. Cheese fountains are typically created using a chocolate fountain, with the cheese sauce thinned to allow it to flow smoothly through the fountain mechanism. The best cheeses to use are processed cheeses such as nacho cheese, queso, or Velveeta, which can be purchased in large cans or jars, and diluted with water, milk, cream, or wine. To use a cheese fountain, the cheese mixture should be heated on the stovetop and added to the fountain hot. Dippers can include anything from bread and crackers to chicken, sausages, and even French fries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Nacho cheese, Velveeta, Swiss cheese, Gruyere, cheddar, mozzarella |
| Consistency | Must be thin enough to flow through the fountain |
| Temperature | Should be heated on a stovetop and added to the fountain hot |
| Dippers | Tortilla chips, chicken, black beans, beef, lettuce, tortilla chips, tacos, hot dogs, sausages, apples, French fries, bread, crackers, pretzels, carrots, celery, broccoli, chicken wings, meatballs, potatoes, etc. |
| Add-ins | Salsa, tomatoes, chiles, meat, vegetable oil, water, milk, cream, white wine, lemon juice, flour, pepper, salt, nutmeg, cayenne pepper |
| Volume | 1-2 #10 cans (6-7 pounds of liquid cheese) |
| Other | Use skewers, forks, or chopsticks to avoid hygiene issues |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing the right cheese: Use nacho cheese, canned queso blanco, or processed cheese like Velveeta
- Preparing the cheese: Heat the cheese on the stove, adding water, milk, or cream to get the desired consistency
- Using the fountain: Transfer the cheese to the fountain and keep adding more as the basin gets low
- Dippers: Offer a variety of dippers like bread, crackers, tortilla chips, vegetables, or chicken
Choosing the right cheese: Use nacho cheese, canned queso blanco, or processed cheese like Velveeta
For a successful cheese fountain, it's important to choose a cheese with the right consistency and properties to flow smoothly. Nacho cheese, canned queso blanco, and processed cheese like Velveeta are all good options.
Nacho Cheese
Canned nacho cheese is the best cheese for a cheese fountain. It has the perfect consistency for a fondue fountain, as it is designed to be thin and pourable at room temperature or slightly warmer. Nacho cheese is typically found in large cans at restaurant supply stores, big-box stores, and online. It is also available in smaller cans at grocery stores, though these may not be large enough for a fountain. The bright yellow concession stand cheese dip has additives that prevent curdling and maintain a thin sauce-like consistency. It is important to note that the cheese dip should not be thicker than chocolate syrup, or the fountain motor may struggle.
Canned Queso Blanco
Canned queso blanco, or white queso dip, is another good option for a cheese fountain. It can be purchased in large cans at the same types of stores as nacho cheese. It is important to ensure that the queso blanco is of a similar consistency to nacho cheese, as some varieties may be too thick for the fountain.
Processed Cheese
Processed cheese, such as Velveeta, can also be used in a cheese fountain. This type of cheese needs to be heated and mixed with water or milk to achieve the desired consistency before being transferred to the fountain. It may not have the same smooth flow as nacho cheese or queso blanco, but it is a good option for those who prefer a more natural cheese product.
Overall, when choosing the right cheese for your cheese fountain, it is important to consider the consistency and flow properties of the cheese. Nacho cheese and queso blanco are convenient options that require minimal preparation, while processed cheese may require more time and attention to get the desired consistency.
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Preparing the cheese: Heat the cheese on the stove, adding water, milk, or cream to get the desired consistency
To prepare cheese for a cheese fountain, you will need to heat the cheese on the stove, adding water, milk, or cream to achieve the desired consistency. You can use a large stock pot to heat the cheese, and if it doesn't all fit, simply cook the cheese dip in two batches.
Start by heating the cheese on a low to medium heat. You can use canned nacho cheese, or make your own cheese sauce by melting shredded cheese with butter, corn starch, salt, and milk. You can also add ingredients like tomatoes, chillies, or meat, but add these on the side when serving as they can clog the fountain.
To get the right consistency, you can add water, milk, or cream to the cheese as it heats. You can also use evaporated milk to thin the cheese. Add your liquid of choice slowly, stirring continuously, until you get a smooth and consistent texture. You can test the consistency by using a viscosity cup—if the cheese runs through in 8-10 seconds, it's ready for the fountain.
If you want to add some extra flavour to your cheese, you can thin it with white wine instead of water or milk. However, be careful not to add too much liquid, as you want the cheese to be thick enough to stick to your dippers.
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Using the fountain: Transfer the cheese to the fountain and keep adding more as the basin gets low
When using a cheese fountain, it is important to ensure that the cheese is thin enough to flow smoothly through the fountain. The best way to achieve this is to use liquid nacho cheese, as the consistency of this type of cheese is ideal for fountains. You can also use processed cheese, such as Velveeta, or canned nacho cheese sauce, which can be found at most grocery stores.
To prepare the cheese for the fountain, start by heating it in a pot on the stove. Add water, milk, or evaporated milk to thin the cheese and achieve the desired consistency. You can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavour, such as salsa or tomatoes. However, be sure to blend any chunky ingredients to ensure they don't clog the fountain.
Once the cheese is melted and thinned to your desired consistency, it's time to transfer it to the fountain. Start by adding half the amount of cheese you think you'll need to the basin of the fountain. Then, turn on the machine and let it heat up. As the cheese starts to flow, you can add more cheese sauce as needed to fill the basin.
Keep an eye on the fountain during use and continue to add more cheese as the basin gets low. You may also need to add a little extra milk or water to maintain the desired consistency. It's important to note that the fountain will keep the cheese warm, but it may not stay hot. To avoid the cheese cooling down too much, consider heating the cheese on the stove before adding it to the fountain.
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Dippers: Offer a variety of dippers like bread, crackers, tortilla chips, vegetables, or chicken
When using a cheese fountain, it is important to offer a variety of dippers to your guests. Bread is a classic choice and pairs well with cheese. You can offer a unique type of bread, such as a rustic cranberry walnut loaf, or simply go for a crusty sourdough loaf or baguette. If you want to offer something a little more special, a rustic cranberry walnut loaf is a fantastic choice. Bread should be lightly toasted and cut into large cubes to ensure it holds together when dipped into the cheese.
Crackers are another great option for dipping into a cheese fountain. Wheat crackers or pretzels are a natural pairing with cheese. For something a little more indulgent, you could try breadsticks or pretzel-style dippers.
Tortilla chips are a fun and adventurous choice for a cheese fountain, especially if you want to create a nacho-style dip. You could also offer tacos and surround the fountain with taco meat, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, and other toppings to create a nacho bar.
Meat is another option for dipping into a cheese fountain. Poached chicken is a blank canvas, allowing your guests to dress it up in the cheeses and spices of their choosing. Meatballs, beef, chicken, veal, or vegetarian-friendly varieties are also tasty options. Cured meats like prosciutto, salami, chorizo, or soppressata add a salty, spicy kick to the cheese dip. For something a little more indulgent, you could offer juicy filet mignon or crispy bacon.
Vegetables are a great choice for a cheese fountain, offering a contrast to the rich, creamy cheese. Almost any vegetable will do, but it's important to decide how to cook it first. Roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini are delicious when dipped in cheese. You could also try steamed vegetables like green beans, pearl onions, radishes, or baby potatoes.
You can also get creative with your dippers and offer a variety of unusual options for your guests to try. This could include anything from pickles to apples, gherkins, or even potato chips.
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To use a cheese fountain, you'll need to prepare the cheese by heating it on a stovetop and thinning it with water, milk, or cream to achieve a consistency that will allow it to flow smoothly through the fountain. The best type of cheese to use is nacho cheese, which can be purchased in large cans from restaurant supply stores or big-box stores. You can also use processed cheese such as Velveeta, or make your own cheese sauce by melting ingredients like butter, corn starch, milk, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, and salt.
Once you have your cheese sauce ready, transfer it to the fountain. It's important to note that not all chocolate fountains are suitable for cheese, as it requires higher temperatures to keep it melted. Sephra chocolate fountains are specifically mentioned as being able to handle cheese. Add half the amount of cheese sauce you think you need, turn on the machine, and then add more cheese as needed. Expect some splatters, and have a wet bar rag nearby for cleaning.
To dip into your cheese fountain, you can use virtually anything savoury. Good options include bread, crackers, tortilla chips, vegetables, bagels, slices of chicken, sausages, hot dogs, apples, and even French fries. Provide skewers, forks, or chopsticks for your guests to use instead of their fingers to avoid hygiene issues.
To turn your cheese fountain into a main dish, you can surround it with taco meat, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, chopped olives, refried beans, chopped green onions, salsa, and, of course, lots of chips! You can also add some salsa to the cheese fountain to make a queso dip, but be sure to run it through a food processor first to avoid clogging the fountain.
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Frequently asked questions
Nacho cheese works best, but you can also use processed cheese such as Velveeta. You can also make your own cheese sauce by melting cheese on a stovetop and thinning it with water, milk, cream, chicken broth, wine, or oil.
Prepare the cheese on a stovetop by heating it in a pot. Mix the cheese with water, milk, cream, chicken broth, wine, or oil to get the desired consistency. Transfer the cheese to the fountain while it's still hot.
Foods that go well with a cheese fountain include: crackers, tortilla chips, vegetables (carrots, celery, broccoli), bagels, slices of chicken, sausages, hot dogs, apples, French fries, tacos, and taquitos.
To avoid making a mess, provide skewers, forks, or chopsticks for your guests to use when dunking food into the cheese fountain. Also, keep a wet bar rag nearby to clean up any splatters.
