This product replaced an old traditional fondue set that I'd had for years. What a difference! For starters, you can control the heat pretty well, to ensure your fondue stays hot but doesn't start burning in the centre (a big problem of my old fondue). The surface it is placed on only gets barely warm so it won't damage your tabletop either. Only thing id caution about is to not let youngsters near it (unsupervised) because the heating ring is directly under the pot and gets near red hot on maximum setting. This has revolutionised our fondue eating; it's now a pleasure to get out!