How to Make a Double Boiler at Home

Double boiler pots heat ingredients indirectly. They are typically used in the kitchen to melt chocolates or to combine custards, but they are also used in craft projects to melt soaps and candles. Instead of purchasing a double boiler, you can make your own at home with pots in your kitchen. This will ensure that you do not cook or melt the ingredients over direct heat and it will save you money because you will not have to purchase a commercial double boiler.

Things You'll Need

• Large pot
• Small pot
• Thermometer

Instructions

1. Locate two pots that you do not use often. You will need a large pot and a smaller pot to create a double boiler. One pot will need to sit inside the other pot.

2. Add 1 to 2 inches of water to the larger pot. There needs to be at least 1 inch of cool water under the bottom of the smaller pot.

3. Place the smaller pot inside the larger pot. Place the ingredients that you need to melt or heat into the small pot. Place the double boiler on the stove top over medium-low heat to prevent the water from boiling.

4. Stir the ingredients in the small pot, and always pay close attention so that the ingredients do not scorch or catch on fire. Reduce or increase the heat on the double boiler as necessary to achieve the desired temperature. You may want to completely turn the heat off on the double boiler to prevent scorching ingredients like milk or chocolate, but you may also want to increase the temperature when melting wax or soaps.

5. Remove the ingredients from the double boiler once they melt or are heated thoroughly. Always use a thermometer to regulate the temperature.

Tips & Warnings

• Always know how to melt or heat ingredients in a double boiler before you place them in the double boiler. Some ingredients require that you wait to add the smaller pot after the water heats to prevent steam, and other ingredients require that you let the water boil to melt the ingredients thoroughly. Research the ingredients to figure out how to properly heat/melt them in a double boiler.

References

• Women's Healthcare Topics: A Guide to Scented Candle Making
• Fiasco Farm: Cheesemaking
• One Stop Candle: Double Boiler Usage for Chocolate Making