The dishwasher has a fondue setting

Zug, Switzerland - I visited the office today to pack up my things in preparation for our impending departure from Switzerland. While I was there, I noticed a curious icon on the office's dishwasher. Further investigation revealed that the icon was for a fondue/raclette wash function. The icon is pictured below.

The manufacturer, V-Zug Ltd. (subsidiary of Metall Zug Group, a Swiss industrial holding company), describes the fondue/raclette function this way: "The typical Swiss programme for the Swiss market from the Swiss manufacturer! Caquelons and raclette pans are cleaned to perfection without having to soak first. The programme can also be used as a 'super-intensive' run thanks to its active soaking phase. Pre-rinsing of burned-on soufflé or gratin dishes is a thing of the past." V-Zug apparently makes this feature available on several of its Adora models of dishwasher.

Upon discovering this, I of course rushed home to investigate my own apartment's dishwasher. I discovered much to my dismay that there is no fondue setting! Further interrogation of the manual revealed that my model - the Electrolux ESI6180 - tops out at a washing strength described merely as "intensive"!

It seems that - though we hardly knew it - our living conditions for the whole of our time in Switzerland have been entirely substandard. I shudder to think of what might have befallen us if Hannah had once permitted me to make fondue in this apartment.

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The Neutral Zone

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