Raclette season is here: how to keep your raclette grill going for longer

As soon as it gets cold, it’s back in action: the raclette grill. Here are our tips on how to make it last as long as possible.

Cheese, potatoes in their skins, gherkins and good company: for many people, a raclette evening is as much a part of winter as snow is of the mountains. The raclette grill takes centre stage for a few months a year and then disappears back into the cupboard. With a few simple steps, you can make sure it reliably melts what it’s meant to melt next winter too.

The pre-season check

A raclette grill doesn’t need much attention. But a quick check before the season is worth it.

Switch your grill on briefly a few days before the first raclette evening. That way, you’ll notice in time if something’s wrong, rather than when everyone is already sitting at the table.

• Inspect the cable and plug: are they undamaged, with no kinks or cracks?
• Do a test run: does the grill heat up evenly?
• Check the accessories: are all the pans and spatulas there and in good condition?

When the grill stops working

Your grill no longer heats up properly, the indicator light stays off or the cable is damaged? That’s not necessarily the end. Before you buy a new one, it’s worth checking whether it can be repaired.

• Check the warranty: if your grill is still fairly new, take a look at the receipt. During the warranty period, the retailer or manufacturer will take care of it.
• Ask customer service: retailers and manufacturers know whether a repair is worthwhile and whether spare parts are available.
• Visit a Repair Café: there, you can repair your appliance together with experts and find out what the problem was.
• Replace individual parts: if the cable is faulty or the coating on a pan has worn off, you can often buy a replacement separately.

A new grill under the Christmas tree?

Perhaps your raclette grill will be replaced by a new model this year, for example one with a grill plate or one for more people. If the one you’ve been using still works, it will surely be put to good use elsewhere: by your daughter in her first shared flat, by a neighbour who doesn’t have one, or by someone on Ricardo or Tutti.

When your grill has reached the end of its life

At some point, even the most faithful raclette grill reaches the end of the road. Then you can return it free of charge to a shop that sells similar appliances, or to a SENS collection point. There, the valuable materials are recovered. Small raclette grills can also easily be recycled using the Electro Recycling Bag.

Not sure whether a repair is still worthwhile or whether your grill could bring joy to someone else? The Circular Platform helps you decide in just a few steps.

After the season: time for a summer break

In spring, the raclette grill has done its job. To make sure it’s ready for next winter, it deserves a good spot.

• Let everything dry thoroughly before packing it away.
• Coil the cable loosely: tight coils and kinks damage the cable over time.
• Store it safely: in its original packaging or a box, the grill stays free of dust and scratches. It’s best to put all the accessories in with it.