A double boiler is one of those pieces of kitchen equipment that I’ve just never been able to bring myself to buy. I have a variety of pancake pans, an electric grill, and even an outdoor offset smoker, but not a double boiler that many people have.
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?
Join us over the next few months for even more quick tips from a minimalist kitchen!
Featured Image by Foto-Rabe on Pixabay
