A raclette oven makes enjoying small delicacies in a convivial atmosphere fun.

At a gathering with family or friends, delicious food always has to be on the table. However, since tastes vary, it can happen that not everyone likes the meal offered. As a host, you don’t always want to prepare multiple dishes. A raclette grill is the perfect solution, allowing guests to eat exactly what they like.

What makes it so practical

A raclette grill is an electric appliance that generates high heat in a short time. It comes with several small pans where you can place different ingredients. When you slide the pans into the heated raclette grill, the food is ready in no time. Thanks to its relatively small size, it fits in the center of the table. This means you don’t have to get up constantly to fetch finished dishes from the kitchen.

In addition, you can always monitor the cooking progress. It is therefore practically impossible for a meal to burn. Perhaps the greatest advantage is that all users can prepare their food at the same time, eliminating waiting times. Each guest can also assemble their meal individually. The host does not need to accommodate special requests and can relax at the table with their guests.

How food is prepared on it

The small pans are the heart of this cooking method. Each participant receives their own pan. They can fill it as they like with the available ingredients. Then they place the pan in the grill, which is either switched on or already at operating temperature. After a few minutes, the food in the pan is ready to eat.

To remove cheese or other soft ingredients from the pan, a raclette spatula is recommended. Each set includes the same number of spatulas as pans, made from heat-resistant plastic. The raclette grill also has a cooking plate that heats up once the device is switched on. Additional ingredients can be grilled on this plate and shared by everyone at the table.

Many users also like to place their pans with cooled food on the grill plate to reheat them. For this purpose, A. & J. Stöckli models have an area we call the “parking deck.” It is located under the surface where the pans are placed. If you don’t need your pan or the filled pan has no space on the table, you can park it there.

The absolute classic among ingredients is cheese. After all, the device gets its name from the world-famous Swiss cheese variety Raclette, which has been grilled over fire for centuries. The home-use raclette grill brings this method directly to the dining table.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be Raclette cheese. Other types of cheese also work wonderfully, such as:

• Cheddar

• Gouda

• Butter cheese

• Camembert

• Mozzarella

Each type of cheese has its own flavor, so it’s worth trying a few. That’s exactly what the Stöckli raclette grill encourages. The host puts a few types of cheese on the table, and everyone tastes. Those who already know their favorites can stick to their preferred varieties.

But the cheese doesn’t have to be alone in the pan. Many other ingredients can be cooked in it. Popular choices include ground meat, sausages, and fish. Vegetables also grill wonderfully, especially softer varieties such as:

• Bell peppers

• Tomatoes

• Eggplant

• Zucchini

• Mushrooms

Harder vegetables can also be cooked on the grill, but they should be pre-cooked so they don’t need too long in the pan. This applies to vegetables such as:

• Potatoes

• Carrots

• Pumpkin

Types of raclette grills offered by A. & J. Stöckli AG

Technically, every device works according to the same principle. The differences between various models mainly come down to the materials used and their size. The size determines how many pans can fit in the grill.

The cheeseboard for every occasion

In the A. & J. Stöckli AG online shop, you can find raclette grills in various sizes. This includes the cheeseboard, which comes in different sizes. The Twin model is our smallest, accommodating two pans, making it ideal for singles and couples. The Grill model is perfect for a family of four, as it provides space for four pans. For larger groups, the SIX and V8 Grill models are recommended. As their names suggest, they are designed for six and eight users, respectively.

Each cheeseboard model includes the corresponding number of pans and spatulas in the price. For easy storage, the SIX model comes with a denim bag. The device fits perfectly inside, protecting it from dust and dirt, and it can be hung behind any cupboard door. The bag is also convenient for transporting the grill to friends’ homes.

The innovative Twinboard

Another very popular product in our shop is the Twinboard, designed for two people. The clever part: we also offer expansion units for the Twinboard. This allows the base device to be expanded with two additional pan slots. Up to four expansions are possible, so you can eventually prepare meals for up to ten people.

This way, the device can be adapted to the number of guests. Each expansion unit comes with a connecting cable, making it easy to combine with the base unit or another expansion. Additionally, the units can be arranged as the users prefer – in a line, a circle, or a rectangle. Just like the Twinboard, each expansion includes two pans and two raclette spatulas.

The natural stone plate

A real eye-catcher is our CHEESEmax2 Hot Stone model. Unlike the other raclette grills in our range, its grill plate is not made of cast aluminum. Instead, it is made of natural stone. This material conducts heat just as well as lightweight metal and also looks extremely high-quality. The grill is suitable for two people. The larger version, the CHEESEmax4, as the name suggests, provides space for four pans. Its grill plate, however, is made of non-stick cast aluminum.

For traditional raclette preparation

For an authentic raclette meal with cheese, we also offer the Swing raclette device. It consists of a holder that can accommodate a standard cheese wheel. Heat comes from above, softening the top of the cheese block, which can then simply be scraped off. Additional ingredients such as meat and vegetables can be prepared on the grill plate.

Accessories and individual parts

In addition to the devices, our online shop also offers the matching accessories. These include pans and spatulas, which we sell in sets. So if the original products are unfortunately lost or scratched, replacements are quickly available. Grill plates compatible with the raclette grills in our range are also available.

Older or damaged plates can thus be replaced easily. Our shop also offers products that prove extremely practical during a raclette evening. For example, we carry a silicone mat that fits even under our largest raclette grill – the Cheeseboard V8 Grill – protecting the table from splashing grease or hot drops. We also offer smaller silicone mats on which pans can be placed.

Handling and care

Using a raclette grill is very simple. You switch on the device when the first pans are filled and turn it off after the meal. However, a few things still need attention. The most important concern is the heat. The grill reaches very high temperatures to cook the food properly.

Therefore, caution is needed around the device. It should not be touched while switched on. Even after use, it takes some time to cool down before it can be safely moved. The pans also become very hot and should only be handled by the handle.

The high heat is crucial for cooking the food correctly, but a bit of care is required. If a pan stays in the grill too long, the ingredients may burn. If the grilling time is too short, raw meat could pose a problem. Undercooked meat may contain bacteria, so it is important to ensure that the meat is fully cooked before eating.

Pay attention to cleaning

After the meal, the device should be cleaned thoroughly. First, wait until it has cooled down slightly. This way, the food residues have not yet dried and are easier to remove. However, the grill plate should not be completely cold either. For cleaning, it is best to use the spatula that is also used to empty the pans during the meal. Carefully scrape off the food residues, then wipe away the grease with a kitchen towel.

Scouring powder or cleaning agents with aggressive ingredients should never be used, as they could damage the coating of the grill. For stubborn residues, a water bath can help. It is best to soak the grill overnight in the sink to loosen the food. The next day, wipe the surfaces with a soft sponge.

A. & J. Stöckli: Inventors of the portion raclette grill

With a model from A. & J. Stöckli AG, you own a true original. Our family company brought the first device of this kind to the market in 1969. Two years earlier, we had already patented the development. The company’s history, however, dates back to 1874.

At that time, the founder Alfred Stöckli, together with two employees, produced household metal items. The first products of the young company included kerosene lamps and ashtrays. The company quickly grew and soon stood out through true innovations – such as the first raclette grill for individual portions.

Today, A. & J. Stöckli AG is proudly among the companies representing the high quality of Swiss products. Our range includes numerous practical electrical appliances for food preparation, as well as the matching accessories. A highlight of our offerings is the dörrex dehydrator, which allows food to be preserved. If you have any questions about A. & J. Stöckli products, we are happy to hear from you and will respond as quickly as possible.