Using a Chocolate Fountain

If you were to walk into a gala, finding a chocolate fountain serving as the centerpiece, you would probably think the operation of the fountain was complicated. The truth is that using a chocolate fountain is not difficult. In fact, with a few basic instructions, quality chocolate, and wonderful dipping foods, you can turn any ordinary event into something extraordinary. Because of the possibilities of the chocolate fountain, this component has become a popular choice for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, housewarmings, and other gatherings.

Tiers and Reservior

You will find chocolate fountains with as few as two tiers to larger ones that feature six tiers. The design concept is actually quite simple. Typically, the chocolate fountain is made from stainless steel. The bottom of the fountain has a reservoir while the inside of the fountain features an auger that helps move the melted chocolate from below to the top. Once in the top tier, the melted chocolate flows down beautifully over the tiers, back into the reservoir where the process begins again.

Start it Up

To get started, the chocolate of your choosing is placed in the reservoir. There, a special heating element melts the chocolate to the perfect temperature. This is not too hot and not too cool. Once melted, the chocolate process starts. What you find with the chocolate fountain is an elegant yet highly functional piece of equipment. Again, you can choose from all types of chocolate such as white, milk, semi-sweet, or flavored. However, the key is choosing chocolate formulated for fountains, which is made with a higher cocoa butter content, making the chocolate smooth and silky.

Chocoalte Fountain Benefits

Of course, you have multiple benefits to using a chocolate fountain. The most obvious is the delicious, mouth-watering chocolate that is simply wonderful on many different types of foods such as angel food cake, marshmallows, strawberries, pineapples, among others. Additionally, the chocolate fountain looks incredibly festive and romantic. With a decorated table and food beautifully on display, the fountain becomes a focal point. However, the melted chocolate also fills the room with a sweet aroma hard to miss.

Parts and Controls

Best of all, the set up process for using a chocolate fountain is simple, taking very little time and effort. For instance, the base and tiers would be attached, followed by the insertion of the auger. When these steps are complete, the auger would turn slightly while locking into the drive key. Once the chocolate fountain is assembled, you would place it on a level surface, plug it in, and set the temperature control to 250 degrees. During the heating process, the chocolate could be prepared. Then, the shaved or chipped chocolate is placed into the reservoir, most fountains holding up to 20 pounds.

Melting Chocolate

After the chocolate melts, the temperature setting would be reduced to around 180 degrees. Once the temperature is set, the fountain's internal thermostat would maintain that setting so the chocolate is perfectly hot while not scorching. Sometimes, people will place the chocolate in a plastic bag, bowl in the microwave, or double boiler, melting it first, which does help save time but this is not a requirement. If you do not purchase chocolate with higher cocoa butter content, you can use regular chocolate but would need to add a slight amount of vegetable oil to keep it smooth and flowing through the fountain, as it should.