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Original poster

Raclette machine

18 replies

MrsGolightly · 11/01/2023 18:43

I live in france and at this time of year the raclette machine comes out routinely. It's just occurred to me that it kicks out an enormous amount of heat (runs on an element like a toaster) it's really social, it's extremely cheap to run, and you can cook so many different things on it, eggs, bacon, sausages, vegetables, cheese (obvs but doesn't need to be posh raclette cheese), cold meats etc... not to mention crepes/pancakes and all manner of other stuff.

Just thought I'd mention as they are inexpensive to buy and run and someone might have one in the back of the cupboard or you maybe be able to pick one up cheaply off eBay.

OP posts:
LadyMonicaBaddingham · 11/01/2023 18:51

I love raclette! I was introduced to it by my host family when I went on a working exchange trip to Switzerland on the 1990s. I now have two machines in the house and thoroughly recommend it for an inexpensive party meal

Lovingtheglitter · 11/01/2023 19:11

I love a raclette!! We often have them particularly when we have family or friends over! We bought ours in France years ago and use it regularly.

mouse70 · 11/01/2023 19:16

Find it to be a great deal of faffing about. Many other things to get excited about.

Original poster
MrsGolightly · 11/01/2023 19:28

mouse70 · 11/01/2023 19:16

Find it to be a great deal of faffing about. Many other things to get excited about.

Really? Putting some meats/cheese on a hot plate is too much trouble? Strange way to look at feeding yourself.

OP posts:
SeatonCarew · 12/01/2023 14:52

We love a raclette on a winter's evening.

SeatonCarew · 12/01/2023 14:53

They are good if you're entertaining, because you can get everything ready in advance.

badger2005 · 12/01/2023 14:57

I'm confused by raclettes! Some relatives sometimes got theirs out for dinner when we visited. Maybe it's because I'm vegetarian, but I think the only option was to put some sweetcorn on a little shovel and put cheese on top and then that got warmed and I ate it. Maybe the same again but this time with pepper instead of sweetcorn. Perfectly fine dinner (with some bread too) but I'm not getting the excitement. What am I missing?

Libre2 · 12/01/2023 14:59

We love a raclette and DD and I are both veggie - try hallumi, veggie sausages, potatoes, mushrooms, onions and cheese - lots of cheese - what’s not to like?! Also find them great if you have people round you don’t know very well as you chat about the food process and it really breaks the ice.

badger2005 · 12/01/2023 15:01

Ah okay, well I do like all those things you mentioned!
Maybe it's about the social aspect and not so much that the food is going to be more delicious than usual food?

ElBandito · 12/01/2023 15:29

We have friends who get one of these out when we go round to their house. I always find it a massive pain as I'm out for a meal but STILL doing the fucking cooking.

Original poster
MrsGolightly · 12/01/2023 15:32

I was really thinking about this as a cheap option to cook on as realised how much heat they kick out when on (so really lively and warm at the dinner table) and how economical they are to run.... not thinking/mooting it as a party cooking idea so much. I think for kids too it's quite fun to pick things and "cook them" yourself

OP posts:
kitcat15 · 12/01/2023 20:07

I couldn’t be arsed with the messing ….we borrowed one once….gave it straight back🙄

Anothernameanother · 13/01/2023 05:56

MrsGolightly · 12/01/2023 15:32

I was really thinking about this as a cheap option to cook on as realised how much heat they kick out when on (so really lively and warm at the dinner table) and how economical they are to run.... not thinking/mooting it as a party cooking idea so much. I think for kids too it's quite fun to pick things and "cook them" yourself

Anything electric that kicks out heat is doing so much more inefficiently than gas central heating. Kicking out heat is simply a sign of inefficiency in a system. You may as well cook in a microwave and buy an electric heater - the energy use would be marginally more because you're using a microwave, but you can use the heater when you need it rather than when you need to cook.

Add to that the cost of purchase, and this really is the opposite of a money saving exercise.

But they are fun and delicious, in my opinion.

somewhereovertherain · 13/01/2023 06:01

MrsGolightly · 11/01/2023 18:43

I live in france and at this time of year the raclette machine comes out routinely. It's just occurred to me that it kicks out an enormous amount of heat (runs on an element like a toaster) it's really social, it's extremely cheap to run, and you can cook so many different things on it, eggs, bacon, sausages, vegetables, cheese (obvs but doesn't need to be posh raclette cheese), cold meats etc... not to mention crepes/pancakes and all manner of other stuff.

Just thought I'd mention as they are inexpensive to buy and run and someone might have one in the back of the cupboard or you maybe be able to pick one up cheaply off eBay.

We love our racklette one of the best ways to have a social dinner party.

ours is our often. Can get them from Lakeland in the UK.

greenacrylicpaint · 13/01/2023 06:06

I love a raclette grill meal.

but the preparation is a right faff.
setting it up is a faff.
the trailing cable is annoying.
the washing up a faff.

but if you like it - go for it.

BCBird · 13/01/2023 06:08

Not a fan of raclette to be honest. I really don't know about the energy it uses but if something heats up quickly my understanding of it is thst it uses a lot of energy.i totally understand the sociable aspect to this though. Bet children would love this. Was just wondering if you could make mini pancakes- yum.

Scalottia · 13/01/2023 06:19

If setting up and eating Raclette is a faff you're doing it wrong!

TenoringBehind · 13/01/2023 07:20

I have one but find one and enjoy the novelty value once in a blue moon, but I find the cleaning the stone and drying and putting away of all the tiny pans really annoying!

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