A double boiler is one of those pieces of kitchen equipment that I’ve just never been able to bring myself to buy.
It’s not that I don’t need one from time to time, especially around Christmas and Valentine’s Day, but that melting chocolate or assembling a cream sauce without a double boiler is so very simple!
All you need is a saucepan and an appropriately sized glass bowl (this is where my extensive Pyrex collection — all of which I do use — comes in handy).
I actually love these stainless steel saucepans that I got at Walmart because they have a small ledge inside that makes them perfect for holding a glass bowl.
To use as a double boiler, fill the saucepan three-quarters of the way with water and set the glass bowl on top. Turn the stove on high and bring the water to a boil and then lower the heat to medium-low to keep the water boiling gently. Add your ingredients to the glass bowl to heat them gradually, stirring regularly.
Notes: If you’re using a glass bowl that’s round on the bottom instead of flat, you may need to use less water. The water should come near the bottom of the glass bowl but not actually cover it. Also, if you’re making a big batch of something, you may need to refill the water depending on how much steam escapes.
Simple, right?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Love this. My husband was SO upset when I got rid of the double boiler that came with our pot & pan set. He was SURE we’d never be able to melt chocolate again. Imagine his surprise when I used this method with both a glass and a metal bowl that we used for other things. Minimizing in the kitchen is a great thing!!
Great idea, Mandi! I think the bowl is also nice because you might get away with one less dish as you make your recipe.
I am doing that very thing. But my mill/chocolate mixture has been in the double boiler for 40 minutes and the chocolate/milk mixture is not at boiling point yet. How long should it take?
Hi Carrie! The water in the pan should be boiling, but the ingredients in the bowl on top should just melt, not reach the point of boiling.
Hope that helps!