In short: the Casselin CAR12 is a half-wheel raclette machine that comes straight from the professional kitchen world, for anyone who wants to scrape raclette the old-fashioned way in front of a big crowd. What we take away: an adjustable, tiltable cheese holder, 4 kg, a simple on/off button, and a power rating that varies depending on the source.
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At a glance
| Feature | Casselin CAR12 |
|---|---|
| Type | Half-wheel raclette machine (professional equipment, according to the Casselin manual) |
| Number of people | Not stated by Casselin |
| Power | 600 W / 230 V according to Casselin’s product page and data sheet (the CAR14-CAR12 manual says 1000 W) |
| Heating | Horizontal heating unit with a heating element, ON/OFF button, about 5 minutes of preheating, overheating safety cutoff |
| Cheese holder | Height-adjustable and tiltable; the half wheel is held in place by a large tightening screw |
| Dimensions and weight | 520 x 320 x 310 mm, 4 kg |
| Included accessories | No accessories included; raclette knife sold separately (Casselin) |
| Power connection | Straight into a wall outlet protected at 16 A; the manual says a power strip will trip the breaker |
| Care | Unplug and let cool, non-abrasive damp sponge, never immerse in water; the black part of the cheese holder is nourished with sunflower or olive oil |
| Warranty | 1 year on parts (Restaupro data sheet) |
| Manufacturer | SAS Casselin, Chaponnay (Rhône, France) |
Casselin CAR12: our takeaway
On paper, the CAR12 has everything of a work tool: a base, an axle, a cheese holder that goes up, down and tilts, and a horizontal heating element above. Casselin’s manual describes the technique like in a mountain restaurant: you place the half wheel about 2 cm below the heating element, let it melt, tilt it over the plate and scrape without pressing. From time to time, you trim the edges that haven’t melted and put them back in the middle. It’s the machine that turns the host into a master scraper, with the little apron that goes with it if you own one.
Two points to read before ordering. First, the power: the Casselin manual states 1000 W for the CAR12, while the Restaupro data sheet and the catalog say 600 W. We’re waiting for the rating plate to settle it. Second, the connection: the manual calls for a wall outlet protected at 16 A and warns that a power strip will trip the breaker, which changes how you organize the table. For the rest, it’s reassuringly simple: one button, an overheating safety cutoff and cleaning with a sponge, no immersion.
Strengths
- A real half-wheel raclette, scraped to order
- Height-adjustable, tiltable cheese holder
- Only 4 kg for a half-wheel machine
- Advertised preheating of about 5 minutes
- Overheating safety cutoff
Things to consider
- Contradictory power rating depending on the source (600 or 1000 W)
- 16 A wall outlet required, no power strip
- A single button, no heat adjustment
- One-year warranty on parts
- Included accessories not specified
Video
Video: TTM Traitements Thermiques SA on YouTube. The scraping technique on a half-wheel machine from the TTM brand, not on the Casselin CAR12.
Video: Loca Réception | Groupe Kiloutou on YouTube. A rental company’s tutorial on the same type of half-wheel machine, a different model from the CAR12.
Video: AMS Locations on YouTube. Half-wheel machines offered for rent, to see the format; a different model from the CAR12.
Who is it for?
For big tables of six to eight, family parties and evenings when you want to see the cheese flow in front of everyone. Also for small caterers and associations looking for a light half-wheel machine. On the other hand, it’s not the machine for a dinner for two, nor for a table where everyone wants to manage their own pan: here, one person scrapes for everybody. And if your dining room has no wall outlet within reach of the table, the manual makes life complicated.
Alternatives
- TTM Zinal : 1000 W, stainless steel frame, for round or square half wheels, but 8.8 kg.
- Louis Tellier Alpage RACL01 : the traditional former Bron Coucke for 6 to 10 people, 850 or 900 W depending on the source.
- Livoo DOC159 : 600 W, thermostat up to 240 °C (464 °F), swiveling cheese holder and 2 spatulas.
To compare all models of the same type, read our selection of half-wheel and professional raclette machines. For a more family-friendly version, also see our traditional raclette grills.
Recipes to make with it
- Half-wheel raclette, the recipe made for this machine.
- Traditional raclette, for the sides and the quantities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the power rating of the Casselin CAR12?
The sources don’t agree: the Casselin manual states 1000 W at 230 V, while the Restaupro data sheet and the catalog say 600 W. Check the rating plate or ask the seller.
Can you plug the Casselin CAR12 into a power strip?
The Casselin manual advises against it: the machine must be plugged directly into a wall outlet protected at 16 A, otherwise it may trip the breaker.
How far should the cheese be from the heating element?
The manual recommends about 2 cm between the surface of the cheese and the heating element, by adjusting the height of the cheese holder on its axle.
