Here’s a demonstration of how the traditional ‘melters’ work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IVxRPLfMwc
And here’s another 0:31 sec clip showing how a single heat source is used in the French Alps.
The first and only time I had it was at a Swiss restaurant in mid-town Manhattan, more than 30 years ago. Can’t recall its name. Liz?