How do you use a double boiler?
RE: How do you use a double boiler?
You put water in the bottom pot, heat it until it boils, then put the upper pot on top. You generally don't want the boiling water to touch the bottom of the top pot. Be careful as you're heating things in the upper pot that the bottom pot doesn't boil dry. Once the water in the bottom pots gets to a boil, turn down the heat so the water in the bottom pot is just simmering gently.
Just like a single boiler. But twice.
Double boilers are useful to melt chocolate or mix sauces, particularly cream sauces, without the risk of burning them. Water is put into the lower pan that is set directly on the stove, heat to boiling, then you can turn the temperature down to a low simmer. Place the second pan on top after the water in the lower pan begins to boil, and add whatever ingredients you are using to the upper pan to melt/heat. If melting chocolate or candies, be careful not to get water into the upper pan - even a drop can ruin the mix. You can improvise a double boiler by using two pans of different sizes. User the larger on the bottom and the smaller on top - the upper pan will not rest evenly in the lower one, but you can use this arrangement the same way, you just have to be a little more careful. I like using the double boiler to melt almond-bark or candy for coating pretzels and cake balls. The coating doesn't get as hot as it does when melted in the microwave or directly on the stovetop, it doesn't burn, and it gives a thicker coat of candy on the pretzels or whatever I'm dipping. - it looks really nice.
To use the double boiler, fill the lower pan with water until it nearly touches the bottom of the upper pan. To begin cooking, place both pans (inner thin-bottomed pan on top of outer pan filled with the appropriate amount of liquid) on the burner. Although you want the water in the lower pan to boil gently, you want to avoid two things -- boiling your water away, or allowing the heat to come up the pan sides thus over-heating the outside edges of your upper pan. To avoid these two extremes, heat your double boiler over medium-low to medium heat. Once the water in the lower pan is boiling gently, you are ready to assemble a perfect cream-based sauce, dairy-based soup, or melt some chocolate for your favorite dessert.
