In brief: a 3-in-1 raclette crêpe maker is for families and big tables who want to go from raclette to grilling to crêpes without hauling three appliances out of the cupboard. Our number one pick is the Tefal Colormania RE310401: 8 people, a grill and crêpe plate, dishwasher-safe parts, and a size that stays reasonable on the table.
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The 3-in-1 raclette crêpe maker, or the art of never leaving the table
At our place, raclette night has always had one flaw: around 10 p.m., somebody asks for dessert, and nobody wants to get up. The 3-in-1 raclette crêpe maker solves this with airtight logic. Below, the pans for the cheese. Above, a plate that works as a grill for meat and vegetables, then as a crêpe pan once the potatoes have surrendered. You go from melted cheese to a sugar crêpe without leaving your chair.
There are two main families. Single-plate models, with a ridged zone for grilling and a smooth zone for crêpes, and models with interchangeable plates, sometimes with a natural stone as a bonus. Some appliances also offer a reversible plate, ridged on one side and smooth on the other. We went through the spec sheets, the manufacturers’ websites and buyer reviews to pick the models that hold up on paper. An honest note: we have not had all of them in our hands, so we tell you what we take away from them, not what we might have made up.
If you mainly want a machine for the cheese, head over to our best raclette grills instead. If the idea of making buckwheat galettes or fajitas on your raclette makes your eyes light up, you are in the right place.
Our selection at a glance
| Model | Who it’s for | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Tefal Colormania RE310401 | Families who want it simple | 8 people, 1050 W, grill and crêpe plate, dishwasher-safe |
| Lagrange Element 179601 | Fans of French-made products | 8 people, 1200 W, natural stone + grill/crêpe plate |
| Klarstein Fonduelette XL | Big, hungry tables | Up to 12 people, 1650 W, 3 plates including a crêpe plate, plus fondue |
| Tefal Pierrade RE45A812 | Hot stone fans | 10 people, 1350 W, stone + grill (no crêpe plate) |
1. Tefal Colormania RE310401: the safe bet for family nights
This is the model we would recommend to a cousin who has never bought a raclette grill. The Colormania RE310401 seats 8 people with 8 pans, delivers 1050 W and combines a grill section and a crêpe section on a single plate. Nothing to swap mid-evening: you plug it in, wait for the Thermo-Spot indicator to show the plate is hot, and off you go. According to the retailer’s listing, the pans and the plate are dishwasher-safe, which at half past midnight has real sentimental value. The stated size, around 40 x 40 cm (16 x 16 in), stays manageable on a table for six to eight. What we take away: a hassle-free raclette crêpe maker, ideal for trying mini crêpes on a raclette grill.
Strengths
- Single grill and crêpe plate, nothing to swap during the meal
- Thermo-Spot temperature indicator
- Dishwasher-safe pans and plate
- Widespread brand, parts are easy to find
Things to consider
- 1050 W: the crêpe zone takes a bit of patience when the table is full
- No cooking stone
- Simple on/off button, no adjustable thermostat (Tefal)
2. Lagrange Element 179601: the 3-in-1 made in France
Lagrange is the Lyon-based company that still makes its appliances in France, and the Element is a good example: assembled in the Lyon area according to the manufacturer, with a 2-year warranty plus 1 free year, and spare parts available for 5 years. In the kitchen, it combines 8 deep pans, a removable natural stone and a grill plate that doubles as a crêpe pan. The stone is the little luxury: it sears meat without added fat and holds heat for a long time. The 1200 W and the 8 wooden spatulas included round out the picture. Its 5.62 kg (12.4 lb) says it all about its sturdiness, and about the effort of putting it away on the top shelf. What we take away: the most durable option in the selection, for those who prefer to buy once and buy well.
Strengths
- Made in France, spare parts for 5 years
- Natural stone in addition to the grill and the crêpe plate
- 8 wooden spatulas included
Things to consider
- Heavy (5.62 kg / 12.4 lb) and pricier than average
- Elongated shape (39 x 24 cm / 15 x 9.5 in): smaller crêpe surface
3. Klarstein Fonduelette XL: the Swiss Army knife for big tables
The Fonduelette XL is the appliance you buy when you have a few too many friends. Klarstein claims up to 12 people, 1650 W and three cooking plates: one in metal, one in natural stone and one for crêpes. Each zone has its own separate stainless steel heating element. And as its name suggests, it adds a fondue function, for the nights when nobody can agree on the menu. In return, you need space on the table and in the cupboard. What we take away: a versatility monster, perfect if you also plan to try fajitas on a raclette grill.
Strengths
- Three plates: metal, natural stone, crêpes
- Up to 12 guests
- Fondue function on top of raclette
Things to consider
- Bulky, best kept for big tables
- Fondue pot about 19 cm in diameter, plates about 19 x 20 cm
What about the raclette hot stone grill? The case of the Tefal RE45A812
We often get asked: does a raclette hot stone grill make crêpes? Generally, no. The Tefal Pierrade RE45A812 is a good example: 1350 W, 10 pans, a stone for meat, fish and shellfish, and a grill plate for skewers and vegetables. It is perfect for a big carnivorous table, but there is no crêpe plate, and the wooden spatulas are not included according to the retailer. If your priority is meat seared on stone, it is a very good lead. If you dream of crêpes for dessert, stick with the 3-in-1 models above.
Strengths
- 10 guests, interchangeable stone and grill
- Dishwasher-safe plates and pans according to the retailer’s listing
Things to consider
- No crêpe function
- Spatulas not included, long shape (53 cm / 21 in)
How to choose your 3-in-1 raclette crêpe maker
Single, reversible or interchangeable plate
The single plate, half ridged and half smooth, is the most practical: nothing to handle. The reversible plate, ridged on one side and smooth on the other, gives more surface for each use but has to be flipped once cooled. Interchangeable plates offer the most room for crêpes, at the cost of a little logistics.
Power
Below 1000 W, crêpes cook slowly as soon as the table is full of pans. Between 1000 and 1200 W, it is fine for 6 to 8 people. Beyond that, you are aiming at big tables.
Cleaning
A non-stick coating and dishwasher-safe parts make all the difference. Natural stone, on the other hand, is cleaned by hand and does not tolerate too much soap.
Number of guests
Count one pan per person, plus a little margin: there is always a guest who monopolizes two. For a romantic dinner for two, see our page on raclette for two, and for the cheese, our best raclette cheeses.
Our recipes to make with it
- The raclette crêpe, a perfect match and its recipe card
- Galettes on a raclette grill and the buckwheat galette recipe
- Mini crêpes on a raclette grill
- Fajitas on a raclette grill
- All our ideas for repurposing your raclette grill
Frequently asked questions
Can you make real crêpes on a 3-in-1 raclette grill?
Yes, but more like medium-sized crêpes or mini crêpes. The smooth surface is smaller than that of a dedicated crêpe pan: pour a modest ladleful and spread it with the back of the ladle.
Do you need to grease the crêpe plate?
A light wipe with an oiled paper towel before the first crêpe is enough, even on a non-stick coating. After that, the rich batter does the job.
What is the difference between a 3-in-1 and a raclette hot stone grill?
The 3-in-1 targets raclette, grill and crêpes. The raclette hot stone grill replaces the crêpe plate with a grilling stone. Some models, like the Lagrange Element or the Klarstein Fonduelette XL, combine stone and crêpe plate.
