In short: the Tefal Colormania RE310401 is aimed at families and groups of friends who want a raclette grill for 8 with a grill and crepe plate thrown in, and no complicated settings. What we take away: 1050 W, 8 pans, a plate and pans that go in the dishwasher, and manufacturing in Haute-Savoie, according to Tefal.
This article contains Amazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Raclette Club earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
At a glance
| Feature | Tefal Colormania RE310401 |
|---|---|
| Type | 3-in-1 raclette grill: raclette, grill and crepes |
| Number of people | 8 |
| Power | 1050 W (230 V) |
| Plate and coating | 1 removable plate with a grill side and a crepe side, PFOA-free Easy Plus non-stick coating, Thermo-Spot temperature indicator |
| Controls | On/off switch, no adjustable thermostat |
| Dimensions and weight | Not stated by Tefal |
| Included accessories | 8 non-stick pans (spatulas not mentioned in the manufacturer’s spec sheet) |
| Care | Plate and pans dishwasher safe, detachable 1.1 m cord |
| Warranty | 2 years, repairability stated as 15 years |
| Manufacturing | Haute-Savoie (France), according to Tefal |
Our takeaways
On paper, the Colormania RE310401 is the grill you’d give a cousin who has never hosted a raclette night and already gets stressed at the thought of reading a manual. You plug it in, press the button, wait for the Thermo-Spot to change color to show the plate is hot, and the evening begins. Above the 8 pans, a single plate combines a ridged side for grilling and a smooth side for crepes: no swapping plates mid-meal, no hunting through the drawer for an oven mitt. With 1050 W, it isn’t in the league of the big 1500 W machines, but it suits its audience: a table of six to eight who mostly want melting cheese.
One detail that will make fans of fine-tuned settings smile: there is no thermostat, according to the manufacturer’s spec sheet. It’s all or nothing, like your brother-in-law’s appetite in front of smoked raclette. In return, cleaning is easy: the plate and pans go in the dishwasher, and the cord detaches. Tefal also states manufacturing in Haute-Savoie and 15 years of repairability, with pans and spatulas sold separately in its online store. In short, a grill that bets on simplicity rather than searing performance.
Pros
- Three uses on a single plate: raclette, grill and crepes
- 8 pans, enough to serve a big table
- Plate and pans dishwasher safe
- Thermo-Spot indicator that shows the right temperature
- Manufacturing in Haute-Savoie and 15-year repairability stated by Tefal
Things to consider
- No adjustable thermostat, just an on/off switch
- 1050 W: fine for raclette, tighter for searing meat
- No cooking stone
- Spatulas not mentioned in the manufacturer’s spec sheet
On video
Video: House husband Reviews on YouTube. Presentation of the Colormania RE310440, a color variant of the same 3-in-1 raclette grill (raclette, grill and crepes), not exactly the RE310401 model.
Video: TefalFrance on YouTube. Official Tefal video on another model in the range, the Raclette Gourmet (raclette, grill and plancha), for recipe ideas.
Video: Guide d’achat malin on YouTube. User review of another Tefal appliance that does raclette and crepes, the Crêp Party Store’Inn.
Who is it for?
For families of four to eight who have a raclette night once a month in winter and want to finish the evening with crepes without digging the crepe pan out of the attic. For people who hate doing dishes, too. On the other hand, if you dream of stone grilling, meat seared at high temperature or precise heat control, move along: look at a model with a stone and a thermostat instead. And for a dinner for two, an 8-pan grill takes up a lot of room for not much.
Alternatives to the Tefal Colormania RE310401
- Lagrange Element 179601 : 8 people, 1200 W, natural stone and a grill plate that also makes crepes, made in France.
- Klarstein Fonduelette XL : up to 12 people, three plates including a crepe plate, and a fondue function.
- Tefal Pierrade RE45A812 : 10 people and a real stone, but no crepe plate.
To compare all the models of the same type, read our comparison of 3-in-1 raclette and crepe grills. And if stone grilling tempts you more, our selection of raclette grills and raclette stone grills is waiting for you.
Recipes to make with it
- Traditional raclette, to start with the basics in the 8 pans.
- The raclette crepe, the marriage of the crepe plate and melted cheese.
- Mini crepes made on the raclette grill, perfect for dessert.
- Buckwheat galettes made on the raclette grill, the Breton version of the evening.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Tefal Colormania RE310401 have a thermostat?
No. According to the manufacturer’s spec sheet, it has an on/off switch and a Thermo-Spot indicator that shows the plate is hot, but no adjustable thermostat.
Can you make crepes and raclette at the same time?
Yes, that’s the idea: the top plate has a grill side and a crepe side, and the 8 pans heat underneath. So you can melt cheese while the crepes cook.
Is the plate dishwasher safe?
Yes. Tefal states that the removable plate and the pans are dishwasher safe.
