The 10 Greatest Raclette Grills for Conversational Dinner!

A raclette grill, which is best characterized as a combination between a BBQ and a fondue party, will not only get your friends and family chatting, but it will also allow them to prepare and eat precisely what they want! The raclette grill is a European innovation that enables us to cook meat, fish, and vegetables while also melting cheese without the need for an open fire.

In this article, we take a close look at the raclette grill and what makes it suitable for family gatherings, home parties, pool parties, and more. We discuss what to look for in a raclette grill, what to cook on it, and, perhaps most importantly, which cheeses perform best on a raclette grill. We also examine 10 of the top raclette grills on the market today to help you pick the best raclette grill for your house.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Raclette Grill

A raclette grill is an excellent way to gather family and friends for a dinner without having to spend hours in the kitchen cooking a formal feast. Using the raclette grill is not only a terrific conversation starter, but it also allows visitors to pick precisely what (and when) they want to eat.

Unlike a regular charcoal grill, a raclette grill may be used safely on the dining table, in the kitchen, or outdoors (weather permitting).

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a raclette grill. Most are two-tiered, with the grill plate on top (above the heating element) and the cheese pans or coupelles beneath.

Raclette grills are typically rectangular, although they may also be oval or circular in form. The majority of raclette grills need an electrical outlet, however certain portable models may be operated otherwise. Those made to sit on the tables are typically sized for two to ten diners, with bigger ones designed to serve more during parties.

If you are considering purchasing a larger or more complex raclette grill, you will want not just enough of tabletop space for while it is in use, but also adequate storage room in between.

The grill plates of a raclette grill are typically made of aluminum or stainless steel for faster heating and lower weight. Look for nonstick pans for quicker cooking and cleaning, but be sure to use appropriate tools such as silicone, wood, or plastic on them to avoid damaging the nonstick surface. Some nonstick grill plates are totally immersible or dishwasher safe, making cleanup even simpler.

Some grill plates are made of cast iron as well. This sort of grill plate, like any other cast iron cookware, will need pre-seasoning before use. After usage, you should simply need to wipe it down.

The majority of metal grill plates have a ridged grill surface, although some may be reversible and have a flat side for cooking crepes and other meals. Grill plates may also have enough space to cook a fondue pan.

Some raclette grills come with a metal grill plate and a granite stone, while others may allow you to purchase additional surfaces.

Granite does not heat up as rapidly as a metal grilling surface, therefore it is not suited for swiftly cooking meals or grilling fresh vegetables and meats. Granite stone, on the other hand, is great for searing meats because it locks moisture and taste into the meat as it sears, giving it additional flavor. Granite can also uniformly distribute heat throughout its surface, and since it holds heat, it aids in keeping food hot during the meal.

If you have a granite plate, do not use nonstick cooking spray on it since it will burn on the surface of the stone. Granite will also need to be preheated for around 30 minutes before cooking, or it may be baked in the oven at 350F.

A granite surface may be cleaned with warm soapy water after usage and then allowed to dry. Additionally, keep in mind that a granite stone may discolor with time.

When shopping for cheese pans, seek for ones with cool-touch or stay-cool handles. Some pans may also be color labeled, which might assist your visitors in remembering which pan they are using. Spatulas are often made of wood, plastic, or silicone. If made of wood, items should be hand washed rather than placed in the dishwasher.

It should include an off button so you don’t have to continually disconnecting it from the power socket, as well as a temperature control so you can cook a variety of things on it and dial the heat down to keep the items warm after done. Preferably, the raclette grill should have its own on/off switch.

About Raclette

A raclette is a grill as well as a kind of Swiss cheese! Shepherds from the Valais area would transport cheese and potatoes up to the Alps as early as the late 1200s since it was not only inexpensive but also less prone to deteriorate during the hotter summer months.

The potatoes would be roasted over the fire, and a slice of raclette cheese would be placed close to the fire and allowed to melt. After melted, it was scraped into the cooked potatoes; in fact, scraping translates to racler in French, which is where the phrase raclette originates from.

Raclette cheese is still melted over an open fire and served over bread, pork, potatoes, and other meals in areas of Switzerland and France today. Since fewer people now have open fireplaces, the raclette grill and raclette melter have eliminated the necessity for the fire.

The raclette grill, like the cheese, is popular in Switzerland and the Alpine areas, enabling people to mingle while cooking their meal on the grill.

What to Cook on A Raclette Grill

Almost everything goes when it comes to the raclette grill! Thin steak slices, sausages, salmon pieces, diced pork and chicken, and seafoods all cook nicely on a raclette grill, but you may choose to stick to the more conventional cured meats.

Together with pickles, potatoes are a classic complement to raclette cheese. Smaller potatoes with skins are preferable and should be partially cooked, if not totally boiled, or even roasted prior. The potatoes may then be put in the pans on the raclette grill to stay warm while the cheese melts on top.

Sliced onions, garlic, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and other vegetables may be left in dishes with the meats, fish, and seafoods for visitors to add to the grill as they want. Additionally, provide a variety of herbs and spices in little plates so that visitors may season their cheese to their liking.

Except for the potatoes, nothing has to be cooked ahead of time; everything else may just be cut and sliced before grilling. You may also slice or grate the cheese before plating it for melting.

Skewers may be left on the table for visitors to build their own skewers or shish kabobs, and soft cheeses like mozzarella can be grilled on the grill plate. Visitors should be encouraged to experiment with different meal combinations and pairings. You may also serve salad, slaw, and crispy breads with the barbecue.

A raclette grill is not just for savory meals. Attempt sweeter meals like crepes, and you can also grill fruits like apples, pears, and pineapple.

Lighter sweets like fruit salad or sorbet will balance off a raclette grill supper, and traditional drink accompaniments are dry white wines since the acid in the wine helps maintain the cheese smooth tasting, however some people like red wine. Other drink alternatives for a raclette party include light beers, mineral water, or even hot tea; tea, in particular, is a popular non-alcoholic option for easing cheese digestion!

It all depends on what you cook on a raclette grill, but it may be a healthy way to cook, particularly if the grill plate is nonstick and you use minimum olive oil to coat it. Of course, any health advantages from grilling will almost certainly be negated by a large amount of melted cheese!

Cheese Suitable for Raclette Grilling

Traditional raclette cheese may be difficult to get, and it may be extremely pricey. Raclette cheese is a semi-hard Swiss cheese created from cow’s milk that is best eaten melted. It has a buttery and nutty taste, and the age of the raclette cheese will decide whether the flavor is mild or acidic. It can also be rather pungent cold, so it’s not necessarily for the faint of heart!

Along with conventional raclette cheese, flavored variations, such as with peppercorns or garlic, may be offered, and having multiple tastes for the raclette grill is a terrific way to get your guests experimenting with their meal.

Gruyre, Emmantaler, and Jarlsberg are some other European cheeses that are comparable to raclette. Gruyre, like raclette, is a Swiss cheese produced from whole milk and has tiny holes. Gruyre is nutty and buttery when young, with a sweet and somewhat salty flavor. If you want a flavor that is closer to raclette cheese, stick to a younger Gruyre.

Emmantaler is a Swiss cheese with bigger and more irregular holes. When melted, it tastes like raclette cheese, with a buttery and nutty flavor. Since Emmantaler is a tougher cheese than raclette cheese, it must be thoroughly melted before serving.

Jarlsberg is a semi-firm Norwegian cheese with microscopic holes that has a taste profile and melting ability akin to raclette. Some popular raclette grill cheeses include gouda, brie, and even gorgonzola.

The United States also produces several award-winning raclette-style cheeses, which you should be able to locate quite easily, or you may substitute other types of cheese, either what is readily available or what you desire. A raclette grill is an excellent method to experiment with various varieties and tastes of cheese.

About 6 to 9 ounces of cheese per person, with a little extra on the side. To fit the pans, slice the cheese thinly, and if the cheese has a rind, leave some of it on since it will crisp up and give flavor to the cheese. You may also cut or grate the cheese, but if you’re using a soft cheese, harden it up in the freezer for 30 minutes or so before grating.

Overcooking the cheese on the raclette grill will cause it to separate and become gritty. Any grilled cheese left over may be cooled, wrapped, and refrigerated or frozen. Refrigerate it and use it up within a few days as a meltover or over toasted munchies.

Tips When Using the Raclette Grill

Make sure that you have an appropriate tabletop protection or mat below the raclette grill since it may become quite hot underneath. It might be beneficial to choose a responsible individual as grill master so that they can keep an eye on the raclette grill to keep younger family members away from it and avoid anything from burning.

Preheat the raclette grill before adding the meal; the manufacturer will generally specify how long this should take. Some people like to start preheating the grill as guests arrive, so it can warm up during early drinks.

Even if the raclette grill plate is nonstick, a little oil and a sprinkle of salt on the surface of the plate can assist prevent food from sticking. Herb salt should not be used since it will adhere to the grill plate.

If the grill plate is cast iron, it should have been pre-seasoned according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Add too much food and cheese to the raclette pans to prevent uneven cooking and the danger of the cheese burning since it is closer to the grilling heat. Remember that you may use the pans on the grill top to cook eggs; in fact, this is a terrific and mess-free method!

To flip over grill items, always use proper utensils, such as wood or silicone, and remove the utensils from the grill after done.

Even though the pans on your raclette grill are nonstick, there is still the possibility of the cheese burning. If you have burned on cheese in the pans, the simplest approach to remove it is to soak the pans in hot water and dish detergent for an hour or two.

After the water has cooled, use a disposable soft dish scrubber to gently peel or scrape away the cheese. If your pans are nonstick, avoid using anything too abrasive as this might ruin the nonstick surface. If the cheese remains stuck to the pans, add more hot water and dish soap and soak for a second time.

Likewise, remember to thoroughly air your home after a raclette grill, since the scent of cheese may linger for some time!

Conclusion

If you are seeking to purchase a raclette grill, we hope that this post has been instructive. Even if you only wanted to know what a raclette grill was (but were scared to ask), we hope that we have not only answered your questions, but also encouraged you to buy one.

Perfect for cooking a broad range of dishes and cheeses, we hope that our raclette grill reviews will help you pick the finest raclette grill and that your raclette grill parties will give your guests something to talk about!