ok so i have a recipe the 1st thing is that~ wat is it?
It is a specialty pan that sits inside/atop another pan. The lower pan gets filled with water then the other pan gets heated by the boiling water. Very useful item. You can find them at Target or department stores. I think Pryrex makes one. I have one with my set from Tools of the Trade (a Macy's store brand of pots highly recommended by Consumer report myself!)
A double boiler is a type of 'pot within a pot'. They can be pretty pricey. You can fake it with a medium-to-large saucepan and a metal mixing bowl set on top of it. Pour 1-2 inches of water in the saucepan/bottom pot, then place the metal mixing bowl/smaller pot on top. Heat over medium heat, and follow the rest of your recipe. Hope this helps! Good luck.
If you don't want to buy a double boiler...you can use a metal bowl suspended over the pan that has the boiling water in it...or just double layer a smaller pan in a bigger one with the larger one containing the water that you bring to a boil over medium high heat..... I've also used a glass oven safe bowl over the top of a pan in a pinch.....its nice to have a double boiler...but only if you're going to use it alot....
A double boiler is a specialized piece of kitchen equipment consisting of two fitted saucepans. The larger saucepan is partially filled with water brought to a simmer or boil. The inner saucepan uses this indirect heat to melt chocolate, cook custards and sauces, or even melt wax for candlemaking. A double boiler can also be improvised with a large saucepan and a bowl, or two saucepans separated by a trivet or other heat-resistant spacer. Conventional stovetop cooking calls for direct heat under a metal or glass food container. This works well for heartier foods such as meats or vegetables, but delicate sauces and chocolates often break down under direct heat. A double boiler allows eggs and other heat-sensitive sauce ingredients to heat slowly and evenly, eliminating the possibility of scorching or overcooking. Chocolate must almost always be melted in a double boiler, because direct heat will cause the temperature to rise too quickly and the consistency to be ruined.
