Swissmar Stelvio review: a granite stone raclette grill for eight people

Swissmar Stelvio Raclette Grill at a glance

Why I looked closely at the Stelvio

Raclette started in the Swiss Alps.

Herders would melt half a wheel of cheese by the fire and scrape it onto potatoes and bread.

Modern tabletop raclette grills turn that tradition into a party.

Everyone gets their own small pan of cheese to melt underneath, while meat, vegetables and seafood grill on top.

The Swissmar Stelvio Raclette Grill is one of the most popular versions in the US, and it uses a granite stone top rather than a metal plate.

I wanted to know how that stone performs in practice and whether the grill is worth around $180.

I went through Swissmar's specifications, a large sample of owner reviews from both first-timers and families who grew up with raclette, and how it compares with non-stick and reversible models.

As a former restaurant cook, I paid attention to heat, recovery time and cleanup, because those decide whether a party grill gets used again.

Illustration: a raclette grill is designed to sit in the middle of the dinner table.

What the Swissmar Stelvio actually is

The Stelvio is a rectangular electric raclette grill for up to eight people.

On top sits a natural granite stone, about 9.5 by 14.5 inches, for grilling.

Underneath, a heating element warms the stone from below and melts cheese in eight small non-stick pans.

Eight heat-resistant spatulas are included for scraping cheese and turning food.

The base is brushed stainless steel with a black enameled finish.

According to the retailer Raclette Corner, the granite version runs at 1,200 watts on 110 volts and has a variable heat control.

Swissmar gives it a 1-year manufacturer warranty.

Which top is included?

This is worth checking before you buy.

Swissmar sells the Stelvio with different tops, including a granite stone and a reversible non-stick grill and crêpe plate.

One owner was disappointed that only the granite top was included when photos showed both a stone and a metal top.

The granite version comes with the stone.

If you want the non-stick or crêpe surface, look for the model that lists it explicitly.

How a raclette grill works

The idea is simple, and that is part of its charm.

You plug the grill into the middle of the table and let the stone heat up.

Guests fill their small pans with sliced cheese and toppings like potatoes, onions, mushrooms or ham.

The pans slide under the heating element, where the cheese melts and bubbles.

Meanwhile, everyone grills thin slices of meat, shrimp, vegetables and bread on the stone above.

When the cheese is ready, you scrape it over boiled potatoes, pickles and grilled food.

Then you start again.

The meal can easily last two hours, and that is the point.

One owner described it as one of the best family dinner activities: nobody overeats, everyone talks and the time together is the highlight.

Illustration: cheese melts in the small pans underneath while food grills on the stone above.

Cooking performance

Here is how the Swissmar Stelvio performs, based on the specs and owner reports.

Heat-up time

Granite is dense, so it takes a while to heat.

Several owners mention long heat-up times.

One said that because the heater does not touch the stone directly, it takes a long time to get hot, although it works fine for melting cheese underneath.

Plan to switch it on 30 to 45 minutes before guests sit down.

Once hot, the stone holds its heat well and gives steady grilling.

Even heat

Most owners say the stone heats evenly.

One owner who otherwise found it just so-so praised how evenly it heats.

Another owner noticed that one side of the stone was clearly hotter than the other.

On any raclette grill, the edges usually run a little cooler than the center.

Put thicker food in the middle and thinner slices or vegetables near the edges.

Heat control

The grill has a single heat knob.

One owner who has used it monthly for two years said it works fine, but disliked that the knob simply controls the heating element without a precise temperature setting.

In practice, most people run it near maximum during the meal.

Cheese pans

The non-stick cheese pans get good marks.

One owner said food slides off nicely, and that the broiler element is quite hot and adjustable.

Cheese melts in a few minutes once the grill is warm.

Cooking on granite: pros and cons

The stone is the main reason to choose this version.

Stone grilling has a long tradition in Switzerland and Germany.

One owner who moved from Europe to the US said stone grilling was one of the family traditions they missed most.

Why stone

A hot granite surface sears food with very little oil.

It does not have a coating to wear off, so you do not need to worry about scratching non-stick.

Many people feel food tastes cleaner and less greasy.

The trade-offs

Stone is heavier and slower to heat than a metal plate.

It can also crack if it is exposed to sudden temperature changes, like cold water on a hot stone.

Some owners say the stone darkens over time.

That is normal and does not affect cooking.

If you mostly want to cook crêpes, pancakes or eggs, a non-stick plate is more practical.

Illustration: the granite stone grills meat, seafood and vegetables with very little oil.

Cleaning and care

Owners generally find it easy to clean.

Let the stone cool completely on the grill before touching it.

Never pour cold water on a hot stone.

Scrape off food residue with a plastic spatula, then wash the stone with hot water and a brush.

Avoid soaking the stone or putting it in the dishwasher.

Soap can soak into natural stone, so many stone-grill users prefer just hot water.

Wash the cheese pans and spatulas with warm soapy water.

Wipe the stainless base with a damp cloth, and never submerge it.

Dry everything thoroughly before storing, especially the base, to avoid rust.

A few drops of neutral oil on the stone before the first use, and occasionally after cleaning, can help food release.

Build quality and quality control

Most owners are happy with the build.

One owner who grew up with a raclette grill bought three of these as gifts for her married children.

Another said it is great quality and that she trusts the brand.

But a few quality-control reports stand out.

Two owners reported rust: one found rust on the stainless front in two separate shipments, and another found rust spots on the base when unboxing.

Another owner was disappointed that the recipe book shown in the pictures did not come with the unit.

And the uneven element mentioned earlier is a real concern if it affects your unit.

Check your grill carefully on arrival, heat it once before your party, and return it through Amazon if you see rust or a clear hot side.

Illustration: inspect the base and heat the grill once before your first party.

Hosting a raclette night

A raclette dinner is easy to host, because guests do the cooking.

Here is what to prepare for eight people.

• Cheese: About 200 grams, or 7 ounces, of raclette cheese per person, sliced to fit the pans. Gruyère, Appenzeller or fontina also work.
• Potatoes: Small waxy potatoes, boiled in their skins and kept warm under a towel.
• Meat: Thinly sliced beef, chicken, pork or sausage that cooks in minutes.
• Seafood: Shrimp and scallops grill beautifully on stone.
• Vegetables: Mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, onions and cherry tomatoes.
• Sides: Cornichons, pickled onions, cured ham and crusty bread.

Cut everything thin, because thick pieces take too long on a home grill.

One owner shared a tip learned from another owner: cook two pieces at a time so the stone stays hot and nobody waits too long.

Another owner made it part of a new Christmas Eve fondue tradition.

Safety, table setup and storage

A raclette grill sits in the middle of the table for hours, so a little planning goes a long way.

Place it on a heat-resistant mat or board, not directly on a delicate wooden table.

Run the cord so nobody trips over it, ideally to an outlet behind the person sitting closest.

Avoid extension cords if you can, and do not share the outlet with another high-power appliance.

Remind guests that the base, stone and pans all get very hot.

Keep children seated and use the spatulas, never fingers, to handle pans.

When the meal is over, switch off the grill and let everything cool on the table before moving it.

For storage, keep the stone in the original box or wrapped in a towel to protect it from knocks.

Store the grill somewhere dry, because the rust reports suggest the base does not like damp cupboards or garages.

What owners say

The Stelvio has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from about 530 ratings.

The positive reviews are about the experience more than the hardware.

Owners call it an awesome party essential, a new holiday tradition and a great gift.

One owner who had an old round raclette with a metal plate said she dreamed of getting a stone version after seeing one at her sister's house abroad.

The critical reviews focus on slow heat-up, the single heat knob, uneven elements, rust on arrival and missing extras like the recipe book.

One owner summed up the mixed view well: it heats evenly but is only so-so overall.

My overall read is that the Stelvio delivers the raclette experience well, as long as you get a good unit and plan for the heat-up time.

Is the Swissmar Stelvio worth the money?

At about $180 on Amazon at the time of writing, the Swissmar Stelvio is a mid-priced raclette grill.

Cheaper raclette grills exist, but they often use thin non-stick plates and fewer pans.

For the money, you get a natural stone top, eight pans and spatulas, a stainless base and a brand with a long history in raclette.

One owner who tried a similar grill at a friend's house said it was such a good time that she bought her own.

Another said it is really fun with a small party of two or three and does not take up much space in storage.

If you will use it a few times a year for gatherings, I think it is worth it.

Prices change, so check the current price on Amazon before you buy.

Swissmar Stelvio specifications

From Swissmar's retailer specifications and the Amazon product page.

Granite stone vs non-stick vs reversible raclette grills

Raclette grills come with different tops. The granite stone is the most traditional, a non-stick plate is the fastest, and a reversible plate is the most versatile.