Two Swiss classics, one machine on the table
A good raclette and fondue grill solves the oldest winter-hosting problem: half the table wants melted cheese scraped over potatoes, the other half wants to dunk bread into a bubbling pot. A 2-in-1 raclette fondue combo runs both at once, usually with its own thermostat for each side, so the grill crisps while the pot stays silky. We have hosted enough of these evenings to know what matters once the guests arrive, and it is rarely the spec sheet. Below are five combined raclette fondue sets we would actually put on a table, from a candlelit duo for two up to a 1500W unit that feeds eight without breaking a sweat. Each pick notes who it suits and where it falls short.
1. Swissmar Tandem: the candlelit duo for two
Not every raclette night needs a power cord and eight pans. The Swissmar Tandem pairs a small tabletop fondue pot with a raclette dish over tealight candles, which makes it the set we reach for on a quiet evening for two. There is something honest about the slow heat: the cheese melts at conversation pace, and the flame doubles as the centerpiece. You get forks, a spatula and the candles in the box, so setup takes a minute. It will not sear a steak and it is not meant to, but for bread, cheese and a glass of something white it does exactly what a date-night combo should. Storage is trivial since the whole thing nests together.
What we love
- True 2-in-1 fondue and raclette in a footprint that fits any small table
- No electricity needed, so it works anywhere and stores flat
- Gentle candle heat keeps cheese smooth without scorching
Things to consider
- Candle heat is slow and tops out at two people, so it is no good for a crowd
2. Befano Raclette and Fondue Grill: the all-rounder for eight
This Befano set is the one we would hand to someone buying their first combo. It is built like a Korean tabletop grill, with a wide griddle on top and a fondue pot dropped into the middle, plus dual adjustable thermostats so the grilling side and the melting side run at different temperatures. Eight people can cook at once, which is the threshold where these evenings stop being a relay race. The non-stick surface wipes clean, and because the pot sits central, nobody is stuck at the cold end of the table. If you have only ever owned a flat raclette grill, the jump to a combo like this is the upgrade you feel immediately. For more pure-grill options, see our roundup of the raclette grills we tested.
What we love
- Separate thermostats for the grill and the fondue pot
- Wide griddle plus central pot serves eight comfortably
- Non-stick top wipes down in seconds
Things to consider
- The footprint is large, so a small kitchen table fills up fast
One appliance, two rituals: the grill crisps potatoes and meat while the pot keeps the cheese flowing, so nobody leaves the table and nobody waits their turn.
3. Befano 6-Cup Cheese Fondue Combo: built around the pot
Where the previous Befano leads with the grill, this one is designed around a generous six-cup cheese fondue pot, with the raclette function and a small grill plate built around it. If your table leans more toward dipping than scraping, that balance is the right one. The larger pot means you are not refilling halfway through, and it handles chocolate just as happily for dessert. The thermostat here is simpler, a single adjustable dial rather than two independent ones, which keeps the controls obvious for guests who wander over to help. It still serves eight, so this is a fondue-first household’s combo rather than a compromise. We like it for groups who treat the cheese pot as the main event and the grill as a useful extra.
What we love
- Large six-cup pot rarely needs a mid-meal refill
- Happily switches from cheese to chocolate for dessert
- Simple single dial is easy for guests to manage
Things to consider
- One shared thermostat means grill and pot cannot run at very different heats
4. Electric Fondue and Raclette Grill: paddles for a full table
This combo keeps things classic: a central electric fondue pot ringed by a grill plate, and eight little paddles instead of pans so each guest melts their own cheese under the heat. The paddle design is the detail worth calling out, because it spreads the cheese-melting stations evenly around the unit and stops the usual scrum at the front. Temperature is a single adjustable control, which is fine for a set that is really about volume and value. It feeds a full table of eight, cleans up without fuss and does not pretend to be a premium piece of kit. If you want a no-drama combo for family nights and you are not chasing dual thermostats, this is a sensible middle of the road. It pairs well with a proper dedicated fondue pot if you later want a bigger cheese setup.
What we love
- Eight paddles spread the melting stations around the table
- Straightforward to run and easy to clean
- Strong value for a full table of guests
Things to consider
- Single thermostat and basic build, so it feels functional rather than premium
5. GIVENEU 2-in-1 Combo: dual thermostats done right
The GIVENEU is the most complete combo here and the one we would buy if the budget stretched. It runs 1500W through a wide grill plate and a 600ml stainless cheese-or-chocolate pot, with two independent thermostats so the left knob drives the raclette heat and the right one the fondue. That separation is what you are really paying for: melt cheese gently while the grill runs hot for meat, with no compromise on either. It comes set up for eight, the stainless pot feels a step above the coated ones, and the controls are clearly labelled enough that guests do not need a tutorial. The trade-off is size and price, both at the top of this list. For a household that hosts often, it is the combo that stops feeling like a once-a-year gadget. If you would rather keep raclette and melting separate, our traditional raclette melters guide covers that route.
What we love
- Two independent thermostats for genuinely different grill and pot heats
- 1500W and a stainless steel pot that outclasses coated rivals
- Clearly labelled controls anyone can use
Things to consider
- The priciest and largest pick, so it needs the table space to match
How to choose
Three things decide which combo fits your evenings:
- Table size and pans. Match the number of stations to your usual guest count, from a two-person candle set to a 12-pan unit.
- Separate thermostats. Independent controls for grill and pot let you run cheese gentle and meat hot at the same time.
- Surface and cleaning. A stone or non-stick top that lifts out makes the washing up far less of a chore.
If you mostly cook for two, the Swissmar Tandem is all the combo you need. For regular family nights, the dual-thermostat GIVENEU is the one that keeps earning its shelf space, while the paddle-style and cheese-first Befano sets cover the middle ground on value. Pick the size first, then the controls, and the rest sorts itself out once the cheese starts running.
Can you use the raclette and fondue at the same time?
On most 2-in-1 sets, yes. Independent thermostats let the grill melt cheese while the central pot keeps a cheese or chocolate fondue warm, so both run together through the meal.
How many people does a combo raclette and fondue grill serve?
Compact models suit two to four guests, while family units handle six to eight and large sets stretch to ten. Match the number of pans to your usual table.
