How Do Chocolate Fountains Work?

What is a Chocolate Fountain?

A chocolate fountain is a tabletop unit that resembles a more traditional tiered, decorative water fountain. The fountain is constructed of several bowl-shaped units that are stacked and attached to the base. Melted chocolate is pumped from the base to the top of the fountain, where it spurts out and cascades over the bowl units in a solid stream. People can dunk various sweets and fruits in the chocolate stream by spearing them on a fondue fork or long toothpick, then holding them under the chocolate flow.

Preparing the Chocolate

Chocolate fountains usually use good-quality milk or dark chocolate, although white chocolate would also work. There is chocolate available specifically for chocolate fountains that contains a higher level of oily fats than normal chocolate. These fats help the chocolate remain smooth while in a liquid state. If using normal chocolate, vegetable oil can be added to the chocolate to produce the same effect. The chocolate is melted, then poured into the base of the fountain. The fountain's base contains a heating element that keeps the chocolate from solidifying and clogging the fountain.The chocolate rests in that warm holding area until the pumping mechanism is turned on.

Activating the Fountain

Chocolate fountains generally are made up of several tiers that are stacked a few feet high. The tiers are stacked on a pole that contains a tube. When the fountain is activated, a pumping mechanism in the fountain's base pumps the liquid chocolate up through the tube. The chocolate emerges from the top of the tube and spills over the sides of the top tier in an even curtain. The liquid wall of chocolate then flows from tier to tier until it returns to the base, where it is re-warmed and sucked back up by the pump. More chocolate may need to be added to the fountain as the treat is consumed.

Resources

• Crash Course in Chocolate Fountains