I don't have an actual double boiler, so is it OK to boil water in a regular pan and put a metal bowl on top of it? I'm melting chocolate to dip some candy in. Can I melt all the chocolate and keep it on the heat without it scorching or is it better to do it in batches? Bear with me, I'm a terrible cook! Thank you!
I have one of those electric skillets that I fill about halfway with water and leave at 200 degrees, and I put a glass bowl in the water with the chocolate, it keeps it melted. If you are wanting to make something like buckeyes, it is really hard to do it in the microwave, because it will melt but it will not stay melted. Before I got the electric skillet I used a medium sized sauce pan filled with water, and a small sauce pan to place inside with the chocolate. You could keep the temp to where the water is boiling lightly, or around a simmer. It works better than the microwave, but not as good as the skillet. If you use a pot on the stove the chocolate will burn to the pan.
You can definitely create your own double boiler...it's what I always do! I would melt the chocolate in batches, especially if you are using any white chocolate. It can be very temperamental and tends to get lumps in it easily. Good luck!
User a large pan top boil the water. Once it is boiling. Remove from stove and place the small pan in the larger pan with water and stir the chocolates until milted. Then, start your dipping process. If the chocolate gets stiff add some of the hot water to the mixture and stir.
You are right on the mark; a metal bowl over a pot of boiling water is the trick i use to get out of having to buy a double boiler! just remember not to be in a hurry to melt the chocolate. move the chocolate around gently over a slow, rolling boil. They way, when the chocolate is all smooth, your dipped candies will have an attractive gloss on them.
