What is a Double Boiler

No Microwave? Use a Double Boiler.

I often use a microwave to melt chocolate in my recipes but I know that some of you do not have microwaves. So I always say use a double boiler which is a big word for something really simple.

Basically, a double boiler is just two pans that fit perfectly together. One above and one below.

• Take a pot (like a soup pot) with little water in it.
• Find another pan (like a saucepan) that sits comfortably over that first pot
• The top pot must not touch the water in the bottom pot.
• There should be no gap between the pots to prevent the stem from the water seizing the chocolate
• Now all you do is add chocolate to the top pan.
• Place the pan with chocolate over a pot of simmering water. (Make sure the steam does not go into the chocolate or the chocolate will seize)
• Keep the heat to a low and let the chocolate gently melt away.