How to Use a Double Boiler & a Steamer

A steamer insert increases the usage of a double boiler.

Save room in your kitchen by using a dual-purpose piece of cookware. A double boiler with a steamer insert allows you to melt delicate foods such as chocolate and steam foods such as carrots. A double boiler consists of a sauce pot and a solid bowl that fits over it. Food cooks gently in the bowl over steam heat from the sauce pot. The steamer insert also fits over the sauce pot but has holes. The holes allow steam from the sauce pot to heat foods quickly. Most double boilers also come with a lid.

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler
• Water
• Steamer insert
• Whisk

Instructions

Use the Steamer

1. Bring 1 to 2 inches of water to a boil in the sauce pot, or bottom half, of the double boiler.

2. Fill the steamer basket with the food you want to cook at a high temperature quickly, such as meat or vegetables.

3. Fit the steamer basket over the sauce pot. Make sure the steamer basket is not touching the water.

4. Cover the insert with the lid, and steam the food to appropriate tenderness, according to your recipe.

5. Remove double boiler from heat. Remove the steamer insert, and serve the food.

Use a Double Boiler

1. Pour 1 to 2 inches of water in the sauce pot.

2. Fit the top solid bowl over the sauce pot, or bottom half, of the double boiler. Do not allow the water in the sauce pot to touch the bowl.

3. Fill the bowl with chocolate or custard. Set the double boiler on a burner, and let the water come to a boil. Stir continually until the chocolate melts or the custard thickens.

4. When chocolate is thoroughly melted or custard is thickened, remove double boiler from heat. Continue preparations, following recipe.

References

• Baking 911: How to Prepare a Waterbath/Double Boiler
• Fantes: How to Use a Steamer

Resources

• Cooks: Recipes Made in a Double Boiler
• Food Network: Recipes Made in a Steamer