Makeshift double boiler
There are a lot of terms used by the chefs on television and by the gourmet cookbooks, which are difficult for a layman to understand. The techniques might use devices which may not be present at every house. One of the cookery device is the double boiler. You probably never felt the need for this until you wanted to make a sauce or a candy at home. These are helpful even in the production of candles. If you are wondering what you can use in the place of a double boiler, then there are some options you can use.
Fundamentals of a Double Boiler
1. The idea behind a double boiler is to melt the ingredients without directly heating them. Items such as chocolate might burn when subjected to direct heat. This culinary device has two different chambers to cook. You place the food on the top and the bottom is filled with water which is placed on direct heat. The steam from the water melts the food on top without burning it.
Irrespective of the type of makeshift double boiler you make, do not let the top touch the water in the bottom. Otherwise, the whole purpose of not directing the substance to heat is defeated.
Method of Two-pot
2. You would need two different sized saucepans or stockpots to create a makeshift double boiler. The larger and deeper pot would hold the water. Place the smaller one on the edges of the larger pot. Now pour water into the lower pot. Ensure there is a little space between the water and the pot above with the food.
You can use this model of makeshift double boiler to make candles and sauces where the steam meets the chocolate on top.
Method with glass bowl
3. The most preferred of all methods to melt chocolate is to use a glass bowl in the creation of the makeshift double boiler. Glass being a natural conductor of heat, you can do this in two different ways. In one option, you can use the glass bowl instead of the smaller pot in the method of two-pot. Again make sure that there is a little space between the water and the top pot. The steam is not let to escape by the bowl which ensures that the chocolate does not become hard. This process is known as seizing.
In the second method, you use the glass bowl on top of a baking crock. The boiling water is poured into this crock. The rest of the process is similar.
Method using Microwave
4. In case you have trouble in making a makeshift double boiler, since the cookware you have is not built to meet the requirements, then you should probably try using the microwave. Do have some additional quantity of items you are planning to melt as there is every possibility that you might end up with scorched, clumpy food in the beginning. Use a small quantity and smaller time interval to get it right.
There are a lot of terms used by the chefs on television and by the gourmet cookbooks, which are difficult for a layman to understand. The techniques might use devices which may not be present at every house. One of the cookery device is the double boiler. You probably never felt the need for this until you wanted to make a sauce or a candy at home. These are helpful even in the production of candles. If you are wondering what you can use in the place of a double boiler, then there are some options you can use.
Fundamentals of a Double Boiler
1. The idea behind a double boiler is to melt the ingredients without directly heating them. Items such as chocolate might burn when subjected to direct heat. This culinary device has two different chambers to cook. You place the food on the top and the bottom is filled with water which is placed on direct heat. The steam from the water melts the food on top without burning it.
Irrespective of the type of makeshift double boiler you make, do not let the top touch the water in the bottom. Otherwise, the whole purpose of not directing the substance to heat is defeated.
Method of Two-pot
2. You would need two different sized saucepans or stockpots to create a makeshift double boiler. The larger and deeper pot would hold the water. Place the smaller one on the edges of the larger pot. Now pour water into the lower pot. Ensure there is a little space between the water and the pot above with the food.
You can use this model of makeshift double boiler to make candles and sauces where the steam meets the chocolate on top.
Method with glass bowl
3. The most preferred of all methods to melt chocolate is to use a glass bowl in the creation of the makeshift double boiler. Glass being a natural conductor of heat, you can do this in two different ways. In one option, you can use the glass bowl instead of the smaller pot in the method of two-pot. Again make sure that there is a little space between the water and the top pot. The steam is not let to escape by the bowl which ensures that the chocolate does not become hard. This process is known as seizing.
In the second method, you use the glass bowl on top of a baking crock. The boiling water is poured into this crock. The rest of the process is similar.
Method using Microwave
4. In case you have trouble in making a makeshift double boiler, since the cookware you have is not built to meet the requirements, then you should probably try using the microwave. Do have some additional quantity of items you are planning to melt as there is every possibility that you might end up with scorched, clumpy food in the beginning. Use a small quantity and smaller time interval to get it right.