After traveling to Europe a few years back and having the most wonderful intimate dinner with locals huddled around a large Fondue pot with bubbling oil that each of us cooked our steak in, I decided I had to do this at home. I had the hardest time finding a fondue pot designed for hot oil. Most fondue pots seem to be designed for dessert, hot melted chocolate or cheese. This one is good for meats in hot oil as well. Mine has the ceramic insert for even heating.
It's best to heat the oil first on the stove. It would take forever to do this with a sterno. Just be careful tranferring it. ...