In short: the Louis Tellier Alpage RACL01 is for people who want the real, old-school raclette: a half wheel under a heating bar, with the cheese scraped straight onto your plate. What stands out: 850 W according to Amazon and a retailer, a tilting, adjustable cheese holder, and French manufacture claimed.
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At a glance: Louis Tellier Alpage RACL01
| Feature | Louis Tellier Alpage RACL01 |
|---|---|
| Type | Traditional raclette machine for a half wheel |
| Number of people | 6 to 10 according to the Amazon.com listing (6 to 8 according to another retailer) |
| Power | 850 W, 230 V (Louis Tellier) |
| Heating and controls | Adjustable heating bar; tilting cheese holder with adjustable height |
| Material | Stainless steel and steel, according to the Amazon.com listing |
| Dimensions and weight | 26.5 x 53 x 40 cm, 3.7 kg according to Meilleur du Chef |
| Included accessories | No accessories listed by Louis Tellier; CAR01 raclette knife sold separately |
| Cord | 2.5 m according to Meilleur du Chef |
| Warranty | 2 years against manufacturing or material defects (Louis Tellier terms of sale) |
| Made in | France, according to the Amazon.com listing and a retailer |
Our takeaway
On paper, the Alpage is raclette the way it’s served up in the Alps, with no pans or trays. You put a half wheel on the cheese holder, adjust the height and tilt, the bar heats the surface, and as soon as it starts to bubble, you scrape. The cheese lands in a sheet over the potato, golden crust included, and that’s the whole point: the taste is nothing like a slice melted in a raclette pan. The machine, formerly sold under the name Bron Coucke, is now marketed by Louis Tellier, and both the Amazon listing and a specialist retailer say it is made in France.
The flip side: you need a master of ceremonies. With a half-wheel machine, one person scrapes for the whole table, which makes them the most popular guest of the evening, but also the one who eats last. As for power, sources hesitate between 850 W and 900 W; either way, it’s a long way from professional machines, but plenty for cheese at the right temperature. Also keep the raclette knife in mind, which one retailer lists separately.
Strengths
- Real half-wheel raclette, crust included
- Tilting cheese holder with adjustable height
- French manufacture claimed
- Stainless steel and steel, 2.5 m cord according to a retailer
- Up to 10 people according to the Amazon.com listing
Things to consider
- Power listed as 850 or 900 W depending on the listing
- One person has to scrape for everyone
- Raclette knife to buy separately
- A half wheel is a lot of cheese for fewer than six people
Video
Video: La Toque d’Or on YouTube. A retailer presents the Louis Tellier Brézière and Alpage machines, half wheel and quarter wheel; the exact version (Original RACL01 or Signature) is not specified.
Video: Le Repaire Du Chef on YouTube. Demonstration of the Brézière, the other traditional Louis Tellier machine, for a quarter wheel: it’s not the Alpage, but the motion is the same.
Video: Luisier Affineur on YouTube. A Swiss cheese ager compares raclette cheeses: useful for choosing the half wheel to put on the machine, not a video of the machine itself.
Who is it for?
For tables of six to ten who want a spectacular raclette, birthdays, holiday parties and everyone who tried raclette at a restaurant and still hasn’t got over it. For those who have a cheesemonger who sells half wheels. On the other hand, if everyone likes to manage their own pan at their own pace, or if there are just two of you on a Tuesday night, a machine with pans will be far more practical. And for weddings or big groups, look at professional models instead.
Alternatives
- Livoo DOC159 : half wheel, 600 W, thermostat and swivel cheese holder according to a retailer.
- Casselin CAR12 : adjustable, tilting cheese holder, designed for professionals.
- TTM Zinal : 1000 W and a stainless steel frame, for a round or square half wheel.
To compare all the models, read our selection of professional and half-wheel raclette machines, or our guide to traditional raclette machines.
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 of the Louis Tellier Alpage RACL01?
The Amazon.com listing and the retailer Meilleur du Chef state 850 W at 230 V. The title of a Fnac listing mentions 900 W: check the rating plate if this matters to you.
Is the Alpage RACL01 made in France?
Yes, according to the Amazon.com listing and the retailer Meilleur du Chef, which present it as made in France. It used to be sold under the name Bron Coucke.
How many people is the Alpage designed for?
The Amazon.com listing says 6 to 10 people and a Fnac listing 6 to 8. With a half wheel, one person scrapes for the whole table.
