How to Use a Double Boiler

Co-authored by Marrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: October 29, 2024 References

Double boilers allow you to heat your recipe or project using steam. Not only does it distribute heat more evenly, but it also gives you more control. You can use double boilers to melt chocolate for dipping, drizzling, or candy-making. You can also use double boilers to melt wax and soap bases for crafts. Don't have a double boiler? Don't worry! They are easy to make! This article will show you how to put together a double boiler, or make one, and how to use it.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Assembling a Double Boiler

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Gather your materials. You will need both the bottom pot and the upper pot; you will not need the lid that came with your double boiler, unless the recipe or project specifically calls for one.^{[1]
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Research source} If you do not have a double boiler, you can make your own using a large pot and a shallow, heat-resistant bowl that can fit over it.
- The bowl in your homemade double boiler should fit snugly onto the large pot. There should be no gaps or spaces between the bowl and the rim of the pot.^{[2]
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  Research source} The bottom of the bowl should not touch bottom of the large pot.
- If you are making your own double boiler, consider using a glass or ceramic bowl instead of a metal one. Glass and ceramic bowls don't transfer heat as much as metal ones do, which means that they heat slower and more evenly, thus giving you more control.^{[3]
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Fill your bottom pot part-way with water. You will need about two inches (5.08 centimeters) of water.^{[4]
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Research source} Double boilers heat items with steam, not hot water, so the bottom of your upper pot (or bowl if you are using a homemade double boiler) should not be touching any water that you add into the large pot. You may need to add more water or pour some water out in order to get the right amount.
- Consider having some extra water nearby. The water level in your double boiler will decrease the longer you cook. You can prevent the water level from going too low and scorching your bottom pot by having a cup of water nearby. When the water level gets too low, refill the bottom pot with more water.
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The upper container should fit snugly over the bottom one. If bottom is touching the water, you have added too much water and will need to pour some out. The amount of water will vary depending on what double boiler you are using, but you should have about two inches of water. This will ensure that you have enough water (and thus steam) to last through most of your recipe or project.^{[5]
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The water will make it heavy, so make sure that you are using both hands to carry it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using the Double Boiler

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Cut the items you are heating into smaller chunks. Because double boilers generate so little heat, you will most likely need to cut whatever you are heating into smaller pieces. This is to speed up the cooking/heating process.
- If the items you are heating already come in smaller chunks, you will not need to cut them up. Examples of smaller items include: chocolate chips, melting chocolate disks, shaved soap, and wax pellets.
Try to spread the items out evenly across the bottom so that everything gets the same amount of heat.
You want the water in your large pot to simmer, not boil, unless the recipe or project instructs otherwise.
You can use a spatula, whisk, or wooden spoon. By stirring the contents, you are making sure that everything gets heated evenly. If you do not do this, some parts may end up undercooked while others might end up getting scorched or burnt.
If the water level in your large pot is less than one inch (2.54 centimeters) at any point, you will need to add more water.^{[6]
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Research source} This will allow the water to continue turning into steam and heating your items. Simply lift the upper pot or bowl off your large pot and add some water until you have about two or three inches (5.08 to 7.62 centimeters), and set the upper pot or bowl back down.
Once the items have reached the desired consistency, remove the upper pot and pour the contents to a container or mold. If you have made your own double boiler, your upper container may not have a handle; be sure to use a glove or potholder to protect your hand from getting burned.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Heating Specific Items in a Double Boiler

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Most items will require you to simmer the water, and keep the pot on the stove. Other items will require you to keep the water boiling. Some recipes or projects might instruct you to remove the pot from the stove once the water in the big pot starts to boil. This section will give you more specific instructions on how to heat more common items in a double boiler, including chocolate, soap, wax, and sauces.
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Melt chocolate for dipping, drizzling, or candy-making using a double boiler. To melt chocolate in a double boiler, you will need to use low heat and a rubber spatula, and stir frequently.^{[7]
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Research source} If your chocolate does not come in chip or pellet form, you will need to break, crush, or grate it into smaller pieces. This will help it melt faster.
- Do not let any water to come in contact with the melting chocolate. Water will cause the chocolate to stiffen or turn grainy. If this does happen, ½ to 1 teaspoon of shortening per ounce of chocolate will remedy the problem.^{[8]
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- To prevent dark chocolate from scorching, do not let the chocolate's temperature go over 115°F (46°C). To prevent milk chocolate and white chocolate from scorching, do not let the temperature go over 110°F (43°C).^{[9]
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Use a double boiler to melt wax for candles. Fill the bottom pot with one to two inches of water and place a cookie cutter into it. Then, put some wax pellets, chunks, or flakes into a pouring pot used for candle making, and place that on top of the cookie cutter. You will not need the upper pot or bowl. Set the stove to medium-low and bring the water to a simmer.^{[10]
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- If your wax does not come in pellets, chunks, or flakes, you will need to cut the block into smaller pieces. This will make it melt faster.
- Once the wax has melted, you may add fragrances and dyes.
- Do not leave heating wax unattended. Wax takes a long time to melt, but once it reaches its "flash" point, it becomes flammable. Do not let the temperature of the heating wax go above 250°F (121°C).^{[11]
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Make rebatch soap using a double boiler. Grate or shave some store-bought soap into tiny pieces and place them into the upper pot or bowl of your double boiler. You may consider adding one tablespoon of water to the soap. This is to prevent the soap from drying out while you heat it.^{[12]
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Research source} Once the soap has melted, you may add dyes, fragrances, oils, and any other ingredients that the recipe calls for.
- Rebatch soap will never become fully-melted, but have the consistency of oatmeal instead. It will reach this consistency after about 20 minutes.
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Use a double boiler to make melt-and-pour soap. Cut the soap base you will be using into chunks. If the soap base has grooves or lines, use them as guidelines when you cut. Place the chunks into the upper pot or bowl of your double-boiler. Once the soap has melted, you may add dyes, fragrances, oils, anything else that the recipe requires.
- Consider working with two-pound blocks. Batches of this size are the easiest to work with.^{[13]
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- Set your stove's heat to medium-low or medium. Be careful not to heat your soap too quickly.^{[14]
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What would make a double boiler explode?

Community Answer

Explosions can be cause by a lack of somewhere for the air pressure coming from the bottom part to go. Always leave a little area for the bottom to "breathe" so that pressure does not build up. When it has nowhere to go, it makes a place to go.

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Can rice be cooked in a double boiler?

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I wouldn't recommend it, as I don't see any benefit in preventing the rice from coming in more direct contact with the heat. While it's true that (after the initial boil) rice is simmered at a low temperature for 15-20 minutes (depending on the grain), the rice still needs that direct, high heat in order to cook more quickly and evenly. From my understanding, double boilers are meant for cooking delicate ingredients that are easy to overheat or burn (that are more fragile than rice), such as melting and tempering chocolate, whipped eggs, and other delicate ingredients.

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I want to use a double boiler to cook pie filling. Will it take a lot longer than over direct heat?

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I have made lemon meringue pie filling in a double boiler since I was a teenager. I bring the water to a boil and then turn the heat down to keep it simmering. It might take a little longer, but it won't burn when you cook it. This is especially useful if you have an electric or glass top stove! Stirring constantly while cooking your filling is still a good idea. (My 1960s recipe does have me cover the thickened mixture at the point where eggs yolks and sugar are added, and to let it cook for 10 minutes without stirring.)

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Things You'll Need

A double boiler
A pot and a bowl (substitute for double boiler)
Water
Items to melt (Chocolate, soap base, wax, etc.)

Tips

Have a container of water close to the stove while you are heating your items. That way, if you start running low on water in the bottom pot, you can refill it quickly and easily.

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If you are making your own double boiler, consider a glass bowl instead of a metal one. Not only does the glass distribute the heat more evenly, but it will also allow you to see the water below and whether or not it needs refilling.

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Warnings

Never leave a double boiler or stove unattended.

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Be careful while removing/placing the pan over the hot water pot. You could spill the hot water all over yourself.

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