In short: The TTM raclette brand is a Swiss maker of raclette grills based in Sierre, in the Valais, the home of the melting cheese. At Raclette Club, we feature three of its products: two half-wheel grills, the Ambiance and the Zinal, and a burner-heated tatare hat for grilling without an electrical outlet.
This article contains Amazon affiliate links: if you buy through these links, Raclette Club earns a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
The TTM raclette brand in a nutshell
TTM, short for Traitements Thermiques SA, is based in Sierre, in the Valais. In 2018, the Swiss TV show “A bon entendeur” on RTS described it as a small company with a near-monopoly on raclette oven manufacturing in Switzerland, with some twenty rather classic models for professionals and home cooks alike. The same report explains that, facing tough international competition, the company chose a niche market. While others line up grills with eight raclette pans, TTM melts half wheels.
Its name hints at its other trade. According to the video presentation by Avenir Industrie Valais, TTM makes a wide range of raclette ovens, household and kitchen appliances for gastronomy, and also offers polymer coatings for industrial parts. In an interview published by RacletteCorner, its US distributor, director Pascal Burkard dates the company’s creation to 1964, first in non-stick coatings, then its first raclette grills after a move from Montreux to Sierre in the late 1960s. TTM’s official website was unreachable when we researched this: these dates are the ones the company gives itself, without independent confirmation.
Video
Video: TTM Traitements Thermiques SA on YouTube. Official TTM video on the Swiss manufacturing of its raclette ovens.
Video: Avenir Industrie Valais Wallis on YouTube. Presentation of the Sierre company by the Avenir Industrie Valais association.
Video: TTM Traitements Thermiques SA on YouTube. Official TTM video on the scraping technique; the grill used is not specified.
Video: TTM Traitements Thermiques SA on YouTube. Official TTM video on setting up a half-wheel raclette night.
Its grills at Raclette Club
| Model | Type | Best for | Review | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raclette Ambiance (ASIN B000ECUG6W) | Half-wheel grill, 1000 W, tilting cheese holder | Families who want real raclette straight from the wheel | Read the review | Check the price on Amazon.fr |
| Zinal (ASIN B004I9MBFG) | Half-wheel grill, 1000 W, brushed stainless steel, swivel arm | Frequent hosts who want something sturdy | Review coming soon | Check the price on Amazon.fr |
| Alcohol-burner tatare hat (ASIN B079L9HP65) | Tabletop tatare hat, 30 cm enameled steel, 3 paste burners | Grilling and broth without an electrical outlet | Review coming soon | Check the price on Amazon.fr |
What we think
TTM’s strength, on paper, is old-school raclette: the half wheel under the heating element, the cheese scraped straight onto the plate, and grills that retailers present as “Swiss made.” The Ambiance and the Zinal share the same idea, a tilting cheese holder that takes a round or square half wheel, and the same 1000 W power according to retailer listings. The Zinal adds a brushed stainless steel frame and a swivel arm, and it is also the heavier of the two. These are grills you set in the middle of the table and that become the topic of conversation, especially when someone botches their first scrape.
The limits are those of the genre. A half wheel is a lot of cheese: this is not a Tuesday-night-for-two grill. Availability on Amazon.fr varies, with the Zinal already reported as unavailable, and several details (included accessories, warranty) don’t appear on the listings we read. As for the tatare hat, it’s another world: no cheese, but grilling on the dome and vegetables in the broth, heated by three paste burners. Handy on a terrace, as long as you handle the combustible paste with care.
Which model should you choose?
- For real half-wheel raclette with the family: the Ambiance, with its tilting cheese holder and height adjustment. Our comparison of half-wheel and professional grills pits it against its competitors.
- For frequent hosting with a sturdy grill: the Zinal, with its brushed stainless steel frame and swivel arm; check its availability before you decide. See also our selection of traditional raclette grills.
- For grilling without electricity: the burner-heated tatare hat, to compare in our comparison of Savoyard hats.
Frequently asked questions
Are TTM raclette grills made in Switzerland?
Retailers describe the Ambiance and the Zinal as “Swiss made,” and TTM highlights the Swiss manufacturing of its raclette ovens in its video “Swissmade Raclette.” The company is based in Sierre, in the Valais.
What warranty do TTM grills come with?
We didn’t find a warranty period on the retailer pages we checked for the Ambiance and the Zinal. Ask the seller before you buy, especially for an order shipped from abroad.
Where can I buy a TTM raclette grill?
The models on this page each have a listing on Amazon.fr, and the brand is sold in Switzerland by retailers such as Fust, Digitec or Galaxus. Availability changes often, so check the exact reference before ordering.
