What is a Double Boiler?
Whether you're an avid baker, a brunch enthusiast, or a cooking novice with a sweet tooth, you've likely encountered a recipe calling for a double boiler. Delicate sauces such as melted chocolate, hollandaise, and homemade caramel shouldn't be exposed to direct heat, so they need to be made in a double boiler that is designed to slowly and carefully heat what's inside. Here's how to use one, how to make a DIY double boiler, and why it may be worth buying the real thing.
How to Use a Double Boiler
A double boiler consists of two identical pots, one of which is made to be inset to the other so they can neatly stack together. By filling the bottom pot with an inch or two of water and allowing it to simmer, ingredients placed in the second pot are gradually melted by a gentle, consistent heat. This configuration helps chefs prepare delicate sauces and other meal components without burning or overheating them. Double boilers are available in a variety of capacities, so you can find options for small servings as well as large batches.
How to Make a Double Boiler
Did you dig into a new recipe without realizing it called for a double boiler? Don't worry, you can make a DIY double boiler if you have the right supplies already in your kitchen. This double boiler substitute will require a pot and a metal or glass bowl that won't shatter when exposed to heat. If you aren't sure whether yours can withstand this type of use, it's best not to take any chances since a shattered glass bowl is a kitchen hazard (and will definitely ruin your sauce).
The size pot you'll need will be dependent on the size of your bowl; you should make sure it won't fall into the bowl or be so large the indirect heat can't thoroughly melt your ingredients. To simulate a double boiler, fill your pot with an inch or two of water, ensuring the water doesn't make direct contact with your bowl when it's placed on top. Then add the ingredients to your bowl, allowing the water to simmer and produce steam to heat the contents of the bowl.
Knowing how to make a double boiler in a pinch is a great last-minute solution, but investing in the real deal can be worthwhile for hobby bakers, dessert aficionados, and anyone else who finds themselves frequently making sauces or dessert components that require a gentle heat. Some double boilers are even dishwasher safe to make cleanup quick, and you won't put your mixing bowls at risk by regularly using them as a DIY double boiler.
