Chocolate fountain

[suziq]

at the risk of being shot down by u chocy peeps, i've just done my first chocy fountain.... bought reduced in t's at 17 qwid
lots of faffing around to get working, was kinda nice, couple of strawbs and a good 40 mins to wash it up!
did i miss something?

[Ladyshopper]

Never dared use mine for fear of the washing up! Had it nearly a year as well!

[suziq]

it's well technical! car boot fodder methinks!

[dinkydoo]

I couldn't be bother messing around with one, rather just shove it my mouth and let it melt there, lol:)

[gwillymsarah]

always wanted one but i know it wouldn't get used much so i just melt the chocie in a bowl and dip

[pinkieplum]

Its a lot of hassle and a lot of chocolate! Have had mine 18 months and used it 3 times! (It is nice though - love strawberries dipped in chocolate - kids like marshmallows but that is a bit sweet for me - and i invariably end up with chocolate all down the front of me!)

[madone!]

lol had mine from the kids for my birthday last aug and havn't even poened the box let alone taken it. *sorry kids*
and i'd class myself as a choc addict

[Ilovepoints]

Xmas present last year, used a few times, but has also been lent out. Great for parties, had an open house on boxing day so just kept it running all day and it was enjoyed by all. Easy cleaning as well as all but the motorized base goes in the dish washer!!

[MRS HUMMER H2]

We find ours great, everyone at parties love it! Ours is quite easy to dissemble, and put the parts in the dishwasher. Any excuse to have jelly babies dipped in chocolate! Yum Yum!

[suziq]

note to self, next house has dishwasher!

[Gizmos]

note to self, next house has dishwasher!

it's called OH or mug or anything else ...

[Ladyshopper]

I've just been out for a meal to a place with a choccie fountain, must confess to making 3 return visits to it!!

[suziq]

i think it must be fab when someone does it for u!

[madone!]

friend uses her's as a fruit bowl lol

[suziq]

it was such a lot of mither, finding the right choc, melting it without microwave, adding oil, leveling the blinkin thing
kids were mightily impressed tho!

[ChickenCottage]

friend uses her's as a fruit bowl lol

lol :lol:

[suziq]

chicken was gonna take it away to have for pud on romantic retreat, wud have failed miserably, got choc on the leather couch, and the crisp white sheets, and no doubt me frock!

[pinkieplum]

it was such a lot of mither, finding the right choc, melting it without microwave, adding oil, leveling the blinkin thing
kids were mightily impressed tho!

I don't buy the special choc. Used it the first time but subsequent times used galaxy and then CDM as they were nicer

[suziq]

i used buttons from the baking aisle, cdm is ok then?

[pinkieplum]

i used buttons from the baking aisle, cdm is ok then?

yes and nicer. You still have to add oil just the same as you would with the special stuff. My sis uses her more than I use mine and she uses cdm too.

[baffled]

So it's set-up and cascading and looks fab. as a 'centre-piece'.

But it hasn't got a roof [a cover] has it?

If it's circulating away for a few hours just consider the atmospheric fall-out the flow is collecting!

Potentially;
House dust
skin flakes
human hairs
pet hairs
kamikaze flying insects [various].

Plus;

'Imaginative' stuff that kids may experimentally add.

You know, the 'pick and lick it, roll and flick it' type substance [especially worrying if it's source is someone elses kids].

Beware too the practical joker who may slip 'e-lax' into the mix.

Rgds.,

Once Bitten.

[wouldn't touch 'em with someone elses barge-pole].

[ChickenCottage]

Actually I wondered about this.
Not so much at home, I'm happy to eat my own family's skinflakes :D
I mean on a restaurant basis..I mean people may dip their whatever they are dipping into it and then bite it and return it back to the fountain again for another dip.
Or even stick a finger in it!
You know what I mean?

[baffled]

Actually I wondered about this.
Not so much at home, I'm happy to eat my own family's skinflakes :D
I mean on a restaurant basis..I mean people may dip their whatever they are dipping into it and then bite it and return it back to the fountain again for another dip.
Or even stick a finger in it!
You know what I mean?

That's exxxxaccccctly what i mean!

How long has the 'restaurant one been running and what's in it?!!

Rgds.,

B.

[ChickenCottage]

That's exxxxaccccctly what i mean!

How long has the 'restaurant one been running and what's in it?!!

Rgds.,

B.

ah now let me tink sir, I'd say now there'd be half a pound of flies anyway. [best Cork accent] :lol:

[ChickenCottage]

They are using these for wedding and things
http://www.theoriginalchocolatefountain.co.uk/weddings.html

I mean look at those great lumps of things, sure you'd need half a dozen dips with one of those, unless you'd a mouth like a horse.

[baffled]

They are using these for wedding and things
http://www.theoriginalchocolatefountain.co.uk/weddings.html

I mean look at those great lumps of things, sure you'd need half a dozen dips with one of those, unless you'd a mouth like a horse.

OMG!

I'm off!

B.

[flossycandy]

Has anyone got a chocolate fountain?

I have got one for the kids for Christmas and I have just had a trial run and it was a total disaster.

What chocolate is the most successful and tasty?

[thehagman]

hi,
sorry to say this but we also had 1 from argos about £20 i think, and the o/h tried it out total mess would not work as it should. Then spent about an hour cleaning it afterwards. and said must have been the cheap chocolate we used.
:mad:went and bought the right expensive chocolate that it says to use on instructions, another ****** mess cleaned it all again and now thankfully took back to shop for a refund

[CrystalTips]

I've tried Cadburys, but it does seem to be too thick, so managed to pick up some milk & plain chocolate from Lidl, cheap & cheerful. The best result seem to be with the cheaper chocolate. I did try the higher Coco chocolate, worked ok but really expensive to full the fountain.

Have a fanastic time with it, great with Marshmallows, brazil nuts (cheap from Julian Graves), Strawberries & cheese (really I'm not joking!).

CT x

[pookienoodle]

look for chocolate with a high cocoa content.
woolies do chocolate for the fountains its expensive but well worth it.
I have used tesco chocolate half and half milk and plain (not the value one the next one up)with a little veg oil mixed in to keep it flowing.
what went wrong in your trial run?

[flossycandy]

Well first of all on the instructions it says that Belgium chocolate is the best to use as it doesn't need any oil, and to use cooking chocolate. I used this but it was too thick and came out in a mush.

It says to use one with a high cocoa butter content but none of the packets say what the content is.

Does everyone use cooking chocolate or just normal chocolate?

[joaniemerc]

We (that's the royal "we", as Hubby actually does this - about the only cooking-type thing he does do!)use Supercook Belgian Milk Chocolate from Ts - 200g bar for £1.77. Have on order 6 bars to use on Boxing Day for 10 people.

What he does is break chocolate up and melt it in a bowl over a bubbling pan of hot water, then it goes into the fountain. If it's running too thick then he adds vegetable oil in small amounts until it's running down the fountain like a curtain (IYSWIM!) - this can sometimes seem like quite a lot but it doesn't affect the taste of the chocolate. Never had a disaster in 2 years doing it this way.

Good Luck.
Jx

[fluffybunny]

i bought one and used it in my DSs birthday party.

i'd read that a chocolate with a high cocoa content, such as belgain BUT, also to add oil.

vegetable oil is best . sounds yukky but it definitely did the trick

[flossycandy]

We (that's the royal "we", as Hubby actually does this - about the only cooking-type thing he does do!)use Supercook Belgian Milk Chocolate from Ts - 200g bar for £1.77. Have on order 6 bars to use on Boxing Day for 10 people.

What he does is break chocolate up and melt it in a bowl over a bubbling pan of hot water, then it goes into the fountain. If it's running too thick then he adds vegetable oil in small amounts until it's running down the fountain like a curtain (IYSWIM!) - this can sometimes seem like quite a lot but it doesn't affect the taste of the chocolate. Never had a disaster in 2 years doing it this way.

Good Luck.
Jx

Funnily enough this is the chocolate that I used. It said on the instructions to grate it down (which I did) but it didnt melt very well either. I think that I will try again and not bother grating it and also add oil.

[flossycandy]

Thanks everyone for your help. I will try and get some more chocolate and have another go tonight.

[Freestyle]

We use cooking chocolate in ours and it works fine.

[jenchin]

So what else do you use, I have bought marshmellows and mini donuts:)

We (that's the royal "we", as Hubby actually does this - about the only cooking-type thing he does do!)use Supercook Belgian Milk Chocolate from Ts - 200g bar for £1.77. Have on order 6 bars to use on Boxing Day for 10 people.

What he does is break chocolate up and melt it in a bowl over a bubbling pan of hot water, then it goes into the fountain. If it's running too thick then he adds vegetable oil in small amounts until it's running down the fountain like a curtain (IYSWIM!) - this can sometimes seem like quite a lot but it doesn't affect the taste of the chocolate. Never had a disaster in 2 years doing it this way.

Good Luck.
Jx

I've bought this chocolate to use as well. Bought the fountain from Mr T:)

[maleficent_mum]

I always buy the choco buttons made especially for the fountain and never had any problems, it is more expensive but I don't fancy the idea of adding oil.

In answer to jenchin66 we've used mallows, fudge and coconut ice but one of our favourites is fresh fruit especially strawberries. :love:

[Rainbowguider]

Melted chocolate on its own is too thick. I used 10 Kilos of chocolate and about 500ml of vegetable oil. It tastes absolutely delicious but my god the CALORIES............ Use enough oil and chocolate to have a really good flow. You can always freeze the remainding chocolate for next time!! Have Fun

[salsal500]

hi
i have no problems with mine, i buy the chocolate from thortons its a special one for the fountain ( under £5) and you don't need to add oil.

[kayw]

I used cadburys and when I followed the instructions i.e. adding veg oil to make it flow it workd a treat. the one I bought has just been reduced in currys to £10. their policy is a refund of difference if price drops withing 7 days. if you havent used a product and it is past 7 days, the item could in theory be returned, refunded and repurchased at new price - I have just done this with mp3 player and saved £15

[fluffybunny]

last time i used mine i had marshmallows, strawberries and grapes!

they're all lovely with the chocolate!

[tyroleandancer]

:)I have bought DD the electri chocolate fondue from Next
less messy

[cannyscot]

We use 200g bars from tesco or there are 100g ones from tesco at 28p .(but lidl is good too) we usually use milk choclate but plain is good too or a mix, break up a lot!! need about 1500g -bash it with a rolling pin, then add a good glug of olive oil about 6 tablespoons. Put in a casserole dish and put in microwave, do 1 min at a time take out and stir-keep going until a bit like soup. Turn the heater on the fountain on for about 5 mins before you put it in the fountain (make sure you do not unplug before putting choclate in as some have a cut off switch. ) Fill up the bottom as far as you can without it spilling out, turn on the pump bit and wait till choclate starts coming over the twirly fountain bit then fill the bottom again and the a third time.

For xmas or parties you can melt the choclate beforehand and put in a big flask till you are ready but you need to add a little more oil.


We had loads of disasters until I saw a profesional party woman do the above -doddle now! the oil is the secret and it makes it easier to clean-DO NOT LET IT solidify-put under running hot water and squirt on lots of washimg liquid.


We had one a year and barely used it now we use it all the time as the kids eat lots of fruit and actually not much choclate.

[gruber]

Mr T has reduced one on their direct website to summat like £14.98,But if you spend under £25 you have to pay nearly a fiver extra for delivery even if you collect it from your local store !! Rob-dogs...
Hope the wife likes it,I didn't know what to get her this year she's so awkward to buy for..

[flossycandy]

I bought mine from Tesco way back in the summer and it was reduced down to £10. A couple of weeks later it was back up to £30. Strange how they do that.

[flossycandy]

We use 200g bars from tesco or there are 100g ones from tesco at 28p .(but lidl is good too) we usually use milk choclate but plain is good too or a mix, break up a lot!! need about 1500g -bash it with a rolling pin, then add a good glug of olive oil about 6 tablespoons. Put in a casserole dish and put in microwave, do 1 min at a time take out and stir-keep going until a bit like soup. Turn the heater on the fountain on for about 5 mins before you put it in the fountain (make sure you do not unplug before putting choclate in as some have a cut off switch. ) Fill up the bottom as far as you can without it spilling out, turn on the pump bit and wait till choclate starts coming over the twirly fountain bit then fill the bottom again and the a third time.

For xmas or parties you can melt the choclate beforehand and put in a big flask till you are ready but you need to add a little more oil.


We had loads of disasters until I saw a profesional party woman do the above -doddle now! the oil is the secret and it makes it easier to clean-DO NOT LET IT solidify-put under running hot water and squirt on lots of washimg liquid.


We had one a year and barely used it now we use it all the time as the kids eat lots of fruit and actually not much choclate.


Thanks for all that.

I must admit that I did try and melt the chocolate in the microwave but it just wouldn't go completey smooth. I have never had trouble before thats why I wondered if it was the kind of chocolate I was using.

And it strange you saying about using olive oil as it says in the instructions not to!

I didn't get the chance to try again last night but once the kids go to bed tonight I will have a go. I have bought Sainsburys Belgium cooking chocolate this time so hopefully this will work!

[cannyscot]

Yes we followed the instructions and did not have much success-it was only when this woman who runs professional choclate fountains turned up at an event and I got the inside info. Apparently you can use veg oil which is ok and some people like almond oil or fancier oils but I just use olive as she suggested as it is easy but it is light olive oil so not heavy virgin stuff-although im not that up on oil so Im not sure if it makes any difference.

[flossycandy]

Thanks so much for everyones help. The trial run last night went very well.

[icho]

i got mum to get me the lloyds one on special offer which is now wrapped and with father christmas [so my dd1 tells me]. Anyway want to play[?] with it but not sure what chocolate to put in it. Can anyone help?

[pookienoodle]

our local Woolworths still has some of the chocolate pellets specially made for fountains left.
not sure of the price thought.
tesco own milk choc is o.k in fountains but some other chocolates you have to add a bit of veg oil to make it more fliud.

[red devil]

I bought some of asdas own last year and mixed it with some cadburys. People say to add vegetable oil to make it runny but I got a tip off an internet site to use milk instead of vegetable oil which I did.

[pumpkin]

I bought the LLoyds choccie fountain and the instructions say to use 680g of Belgian chocolate...if you use any other kind they say to add vegetable oil, which personally I thought sounded a bit yuck!

[maleficent_mum]

I don't like the idea of adding vegetable oil, might try milk in future, but it's getting really hard to find the proper chocolate, ordered mine off Ebay this year, expensive though when you add on the postage cost.

Giles & Posner choc is fab BTW.
http://www.gilesandposner.com/chocolate.htm

[Gizmos]

merged - few ideas on other threads

[icho]

merged - few ideas on other threads

thanks giz.. never thought to do a search!

[suziq]

well, at least i do have a dishwasher in the new house!

[Darkangel709]

Oh bought his mum 1 last year for xmas now she giving it to my dd. when she spoke to g.ma she said your giving me a chocolate fountain for xmas arent you...well i couldnt stop laffing just the way she said it and when they turned up she said wheres my chocolate fountain?? little burger!! lol

[pookienoodle]

Why do people think its yucky to add veg oil?
most average bars of chocolate have solid veg oil added to them anyway.

[dingaling]

I am organising a family party for my mothers 70th and dd1's 18th. They are having a joint celebration! Anyhow, I have a cheapy fountain from Mr T's and the milk chocolate needs vegetable oil in it to get it to flow effectively. We did it once and it was so oily it wasnt very nice, the kids ate it but all I could think of was the amount of oil in the already fattening chocloate!!

Does anyone know what else I can use or do I need to hire a proper machine and ge the proper chocolate?

[nettie_b]

I am organising a family party for my mothers 70th and dd1's 18th. They are having a joint celebration! Anyhow, I have a cheapy fountain from Mr T's and the milk chocolate needs vegetable oil in it to get it to flow effectively. We did it once and it was so oily it wasnt very nice, the kids ate it but all I could think of was the amount of oil in the already fattening chocloate!!

Does anyone know what else I can use or do I need to hire a proper machine and ge the proper chocolate?


It's quite a while since we've had ours on but am sure we just used the value choc with a drop of oil. just make sure the machine is hot enough and the choc properly melted. I can remember in the end we were throwing all the chocolate we had in the house on - was great and we had good fun with strawberry's, bananas and marshmellows etc. Once it got going it didnt seem to mind which chocolate we used.

have fun

[*debbie*]

Snap - we use value chocolate. I must admit to only having used it at celebrations, like birthdays, it is too much bother for just us, and too much chocolate! The first time we used it I bought (as far as I remember) Thorntons special choc for fountains, but the next time was a bit impromptu so didn't get to Thorntons, and the value was just as good.

Enjoy, but I recommend doing it in a room with a washable floor! No white carpets.....

[SimonJB]

Can't help recipe wise, but saw this on HUKD for anyone who wants a chocolate fountain, thanks to amibees http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/395011/temptations-13982-cocktail-drinks-f/

[vickn]

just had a great read of this tread
im going to get a fountain in the next week for using on my hen night
can some one answer me a question please

when th efountain is goign and yo need to add more choclate is it a lot of messing about??

[dingaling]

No, it is easy, you just pour in the melted chocolate. I bought some delicious chocolate fountain chocolate from ebay, it was belgian and mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!