How To Create A Double Boiler

Everything You Need to Know About Double Boilers

Double boilers are a common piece of kitchen equipment, but many people do not know what they are and what they're used for. A double boiler, also known as a bain marie, is used for a variety of cooking tasks, and they're commonly used in bakeries and cafes for melting and cooking delicate foods. Here, we'll break down what double boilers are, what they're used for, how they work, and what you can make in a double boiler.

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What Is a Double Boiler?

How to Use a Double Boiler to Melt Chocolate

Double boilers are two pots that use steam as a heat source to melt or cook food. They are made up of two pieces, a large pot that is filled with hot or boiling water and a smaller pot that fits inside and uses the steam from the hot water to heat your food. Because the heat comes from an indirect source, double boilers are ideal for cooking delicate foods like sauces and chocolates.

Double boilers may also be called bain maries, which is the French term for the cooking method. Although the names may be different, double boilers and bain maries are the same, and they're used to cook the same types of food with indirect heat.

How Do Double Boilers Work?

Double boilers work by using the steam from the hot water in the bottom pot to heat the top pot. When using a double boiler, you should be sure that the top pot is resting above the hot or boiling water, because if the pot gets too hot, it can cause your product to curdle or scorch.

What Is a Double Boiler Used For?

Because double boilers create gentle, indirect heat, they're ideal for tempering chocolate, creating custards, or melting butter. Additionally, double boilers are perfect for creating sauces with eggs, like hollandaise sauce or creme anglaise, because the heat from the steam isn't hot enough to cook the eggs in the recipe.

How to Use a Double Boiler

To use a double boiler, simply fill the bottom pot with one or two inches of water. Next, add in the top pot and turn on your burner to a simmer. As the water heats up and steam is released, the steam stays trapped between the two pots, which then heats the food in the top pot. When you're finished, remove the top pot and replace any water that has escaped.

What Can I Substitute for a Double Boiler?

If you don't have a double boiler on hand in your kitchen but you still need to cook something with indirect heat, you can easily use a double boiler substitute. One of the most common double boiler substitutes is to use a heatproof mixing bowl on top of a pot of simmering water. When using this method, you want to be sure that there is space between the mixing bowl and the simmering water. The bowl shouldn't be touching the water. If your bowl touches the water, it might result in too much heat transfer, causing your hollandaise sauce to turn into scrambled eggs or ruining your melted chocolate.

Double boilers are a common kitchen item, and they're used in many different recipes. You can find these pieces of equipment in all sorts of settings, ranging from high-end bakeries to residential kitchens. Because of their popularity, it's important to understand what double boilers are, what they're used for, and how they work.