The Melting Pot's Classic Alpine Cheese Fondue. Stir to combine and set aside. 2. Place a metal bowl over a saucepan filled with 2 inches of water. You may also want to use a conventional double boiler. 3. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. 4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the wine, then place a fork inside the metal bowl.
In a saucepan or fondue pot, on medium to medium-high heat, combine beer or beef broth and minced garlic. When broth begins to boil, turn heat down to low, and add a small amount of cheddar cheese at a time, melting each handful prior to adding more.
The most popular of the cheese fondues is this one made with medium cheddar and just a little Emmentaler Swiss cheese melted into beer and combined with garlic and spices. Talking with a manager at my local Melting Pot, I learned that the chain uses Milwaukee's Best or Colt 45 in the fondue, so make sure you use a mild (and cheap) lager beer.
An electric fondue pot is the easiest because it enables you to easily control the temperature settings, whether when melting the cheeses or when keeping them warm after they've melted. I use the Cuisinart electric fondue pot.