WAY OT!! What do I need to know about chocolate fountains?

[csmommy]

Hi, so I went out & purchased a Wilton Chocolate Fountain to use at my son's 18th on Saturday. I have never used one before. Please let me know what I need to know!

When they say "use premium chocolate" will Wilton's chocolate be good?

I have also read I need to use veggie oil. That sounds gross, do I really need it?

Thanks for any & all help!

 

[teacup princess]

I don't think Wilton's chocolate is real chocolate. I always buy of big bag of Giordano's chocolate chips or similiar at a warehouse store. Yes, you need oil to thin it out and make it "flow" through the machine. It still tastes good.

What else do you need to know? Get plastic disposable tablecloths and don't put it next to anything you don't want to have chocolate dropped all over. This can get really messy, especially if kids are involved.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I agree with the above. Using oil sounds gross, but it is necessary to have the chocolate flow smoothly.

And make sure you wash it while it is still warm and use toothpicks in the smaller crevices.

They are super fun - I almost got rid of ours, but DS has a lot of summer get-togethers and I think the kids will really enjoy it.

I just used chocolate chips - a combination of milk and semi-sweet.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We use one a LOT and everyone loves it. We use Chocolate chips (whatever is on sale) and yes you have to use the oil. It is a lot, but follow the ratio to the letter. If you don't it will be too thick and a huge disaster. Only use foods that fit on a small disposable skewer. We tried to honor a brides request for mini Oreo and mini marshmallows using tongs and it was a huge mess. As someone said, protect the area, and watch small kids. Yes, I have seen a little boy try to stick his mouth in the flow..
Great ideas to use:
Strawberries
Pineapple
Regular size marshmallows
Firm Cake or brownies cut into small squares
cookies in fun themed shapes baked with the stick in it. SOOO cute and fun and you can do ANY shape you want.

It is such a fun dessert for any age....Have fun with it!!

 

[princesspiglet]

I have a lot of pool parties and use my chocolate fountain constantly as the kids love it. I only buy my chocolate from Sarris Candies. Their chocolate is delish and no oil is required. I buy long skewers from Oriental Trading and have the dippers on various platters ready to go. Here is what I usually serve:

Strawberries
Pineapple chunks
Frozen bananas
cherries
Cubes of pound cake
Cheesecake squares
Small rice krispy treats
mini creme puffs
bacon slices
macaroons
donut holes
marshmallows - with crushed graham crackers to roll in
nutter butters
pretzel rods

 

[MSSANDRA]

I have a lot of pool parties and use my chocolate fountain constantly as the kids love it. I only buy my chocolate from Sarris Candies. Their chocolate is delish and no oil is required. I buy long skewers from Oriental Trading and have the dippers on various platters ready to go. Here is what I usually serve:

Strawberries
Pineapple chunks
Frozen bananas
cherries
Cubes of pound cake
Cheesecake squares
Small rice krispy treats
mini creme puffs
bacon slices

How do you do your bananas so they don't turn? LOVE chocolate covered bananas but never been sure how to put them out on a tray so they don't turn. Forgot about about the rice krispy treat. Those are also good made with a stick in them.
So we are going to have to try the bacon!!! Do you just do it crisp and stick it under there? My guys will flip. THANKS.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...oOaUbbrIdGn4APcoYCIAQ&ved=0CDQQ9QEwAQ&dur=557

 

[princesspiglet]

I peel the banana, dip quickly in lemon juice, blot off, then wrap in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag. I only bring out the bananas as needed so they don't get mushy. The kids all know I have frozen bananas so they just ask for them. I already have them on the sticks when I put them in the bags so all I have to do is pull each one out of the freezer, unwrap the plastic wrap and hand off. You could always put a note out that says "frozen bananas on request".

For the bacon, I just cook the bacon normally, blot it and let it cool off. Then I lay it on a platter. The kids just dip the ends into the chocolate without a skewer. I also have bought the pre-made cooked bacon and set that out. I am not a fan of the bacon, but the kids love it. They are begging me to let them try potato chips this year.

 

[SamSam]

Love my chocolate fountain too! In addition to everything mentioned, we've also dipped bugles (the snack) and pretzel crackers...the combination of sweet/salt is delicious.

 

[CC12005]

I love chocolate, but have never liked the diluted oil versions used for fountains. Then I had the chocolate Sephra makes for fountains. Love it. I highly recommend any of the Sephra brands. They sell it at Smart & Final, Amazon & other stores online. Smart & Final is cheapest. It's more expensive, but worth it.

 

[SamSam]

If you have a Sam's Club, in the fall (christmas item) they carry large bars of Ghirardelli Chocolate for making dipped pretzel''s, etc. It works wonderfully in the chocolate fountain, AND is delicious. I bought many bars of it last fall and threw it in the freezer to use throughout the year. Yum!

 

[writersblock42]

The biggest thing with making sure that chocolate doesn't get thick is to add the oil and also to make sure it doesn't get overheated. Overheated chocolate gets thick and clumpy.

 

[Styx Fan]

And don't try it outside if there is any breeze. Went to a grad party with one......it was a nice light rain of chocolate

 

[Nettlelondon]

The combination of salty potato chips and creamy sweet chocolate is one that people either love or hate - me, I think it's perfection.

 

[dgthree]

When they say "use premium chocolate" will Wilton's chocolate be good?

I have also read I need to use veggie oil. That sounds gross, do I really need it?

I just did a quick search, and several sites say you can use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil. Personally, I would probably like that better. Has anyone ever tried it?

 

[pjlla]

I just did a quick search, and several sites say you can use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil. Personally, I would probably like that better. Has anyone ever tried it?

Just be sure to let people know if you are using coconut oil. My DS has a nut allergy that includes coconuts.


I second (or third) the option of adding salty things. We had a chocolate fountain at a few birthday parties (I don't own one.... I borrowed it from my SIL) and the kids ended up dipping pizza, celery... you name it!

And I agree... it makes a HUGE mess... especially with kids using it!

But it is yummy and tons of fun!..................P