Double Boiler Technique
Many recipes and even some craft-making instructions call for using the double-boiler technique. This technique allows you to heat delicate foods and craft materials safely with out scalding or burning them. A pan with water is heated on the stove. Another pan sits on top of it holding the substance to be heated. The steam from the bottom pan slowly and safely heats material in the top pan.
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Heat Source
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When using this technique, the water in the bottom pan does not need to be boiling; it needs to be heated enough to give off steam. The steam is the heat source used to melt or heat the food in the top pan. It gives off an even heat for even cooking.
When melting foods such as cheese or chocolate, the double boiler allows you to do this without scalding or burning these delicate foods. The water in the bottom pan should not touch the bottom of the top pan. If the top pan is immersed in the bottom pan's water, it will not be the steam that is doing the cooking, making overcooking or overheating a possibility.
Types Of Pans
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Cooking pots labeled as double boilers are sold for this technique. They fit together perfectly, forming a seal when connected. The top pan fits snug and does not allow any of the bottom pan's steam to escape. This optimizes the double-boiler technique.
Rigging your own pans together for the double boiler technique can be difficult. You may find two pans from your cupboard that you can do this with by fitting one inside the other. This does not optimize this technique with out the snug fit to keep the steam in. The heating will take longer when using odd fitting pans.
Other Uses
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The double-boiling technique can be used for keeping cooked food warm without drying it out. Keeping mashed potatoes in the oven---even on a low setting---dries them out, causing them to burn and flake. They can be kept for hours on low in a double boiler and still be in the same condition as they were when first made.
This technique is similar to what a chafing dish does on a buffet table. It keeps the food warm by heating the water in the bottom dish and creating steam. The top dish with the food in it does not burn and stays heated for long periods of time as people help themselves to food.
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