A double boiler is a bowl or pot over a larger pot of simmering water. A double boiler allows for indirect, gentle heat when you’re whisking up temperamental sauces like [hollandaise](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-thomas-kellers-hollandaise-sauce-recipe), melting chocolate, or steaming soft, stretchy doughs like those necessary for [daifuku mochi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/daifuku-recipe).

Traditional double boilers are kitchen equipment items consisting of a stackable set of pots (usually of [stainless steel](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/carbon-steel-vs-stainless-steel-pan-explained)). The bottom pot holds the water, while a smaller pot (the double boiler insert) sits on top of it. You can also make your own double boiler using a large pot and a heatproof bowl. 
A double boiler uses steam from boiling water to create gentle, indirect heat for cooking things that would otherwise burn or clump together over direct heat. Consider the following double boiler uses:

1. __Emulsifying sauces__: Use a double boiler to [emulsify](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-emulsification-and-how-does-it-work-plus-how-to-fix-broken-emulsions) ingredients, which is an essential step in making [custards](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-custard) and hollandaise sauce.
2. __Melting chocolate__: A double boiler is an excellent way to [melt chocolate chips](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-melt-chocolate-chips-on-stove) when making brownies, cookies, or a chocolate topping for ice cream.
3. __Steaming dough__: A double boiler with a lid is an effective method for steaming dough, such as in [dumplings](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-steam-dumplings) or mochi recipes.
4. __Tempering eggs__: You can use a double boiler to temper egg yolks. Some dessert recipes that require tempering eggs include flan, [lemon curd](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lemon-curd-recipe), cream pie, pastry cream, [crème brûlée](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-vanilla-creme-brulee-recipe), homemade ice cream, pastry cream, crème anglaise, soufflés, and eggnog.
It’s possible to make a double boiler at home as long as your recipe does not require a double boiler with a lid. If you need a double boiler to create condensation to steam food, like dumplings, purchasing a dedicated double boiler with a fitted lid will work best. Follow this tutorial to make a DIY double boiler using standard kitchen tools.

- __Prepare the water__. Fill a medium-sized pot with two inches of water. Bring the water to boiling on the stovetop, then lower the heat so the water is simmering.
- __Add the food items__. Place the items you want to melt or mix into a heat-proof bowl. The bowl should be slightly larger than the pot so it can completely cover the opening of the pot.
- __Mix the contents__. Let the steam warm the bowl and mix the contents of the bowl until they reach your desired consistency. 
When using a double boiler, keep the following tips in mind: 

1. __Choose a glass or stainless steel bowl__. Mixing bowls of glass or stainless steel are heat-resistant and work best for double boilers. 
2. __Prevent the bottom of the bowl from touching the hot water__. The bowl will get too hot if it touches the water, which could negatively affect your ingredients.
3. __Steady the bowl__. Use pot holders or an oven mitt to grip the bowl and keep it steady while stirring the contents. This can also help prevent you from burning your hands.
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Using a double boiler is the best way to melt chocolate and make delicate sauces like hollandaise. Learn how to make a double boiler using standard kitchen tools.

Using a double boiler is the best way to melt chocolate and make delicate sauces like hollandaise. Learn how to make a double boiler using standard kitchen tools.

4 Double Boiler Uses: How to Make a Double Boiler

A double boiler is a bowl or pot over a larger pot of simmering water. A double boiler allows for indirect, gentle heat when you’re whisking up temperamental sauces like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-thomas-kellers-hollandaise-sauce-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-thomas-kellers-hollandaise-sauce-recipe","linkCopy":"hollandaise","category":null}'>hollandaise</a>, melting chocolate, or steaming soft, stretchy doughs like those necessary for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/daifuku-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/daifuku-recipe","linkCopy":"daifuku mochi","category":null}'>daifuku mochi</a>.Traditional double boilers are kitchen equipment items consisting of a stackable set of pots (usually of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/carbon-steel-vs-stainless-steel-pan-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/carbon-steel-vs-stainless-steel-pan-explained","linkCopy":"stainless steel","category":null}'>stainless steel</a>). The bottom pot holds the water, while a smaller pot (the double boiler insert) sits on top of it. You can also make your own double boiler using a large pot and a heatproof bowl.

What Is a Double Boiler?

A double boiler uses steam from boiling water to create gentle, indirect heat for cooking things that would otherwise burn or clump together over direct heat. Consider the following double boiler uses:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Emulsifying sauces: Use a double boiler to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-emulsification-and-how-does-it-work-plus-how-to-fix-broken-emulsions' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-emulsification-and-how-does-it-work-plus-how-to-fix-broken-emulsions","linkCopy":"emulsify","category":null}'>emulsify</a> ingredients, which is an essential step in making <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-custard' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-custard","linkCopy":"custards","category":null}'>custards</a> and hollandaise sauce. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Melting chocolate: A double boiler is an excellent way to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-melt-chocolate-chips-on-stove' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-melt-chocolate-chips-on-stove","linkCopy":"melt chocolate chips","category":null}'>melt chocolate chips</a> when making brownies, cookies, or a chocolate topping for ice cream. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Steaming dough: A double boiler with a lid is an effective method for steaming dough, such as in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-steam-dumplings' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-steam-dumplings","linkCopy":"dumplings","category":null}'>dumplings</a> or mochi recipes. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Tempering eggs: You can use a double boiler to temper egg yolks. Some dessert recipes that require tempering eggs include flan, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lemon-curd-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lemon-curd-recipe","linkCopy":"lemon curd","category":null}'>lemon curd</a>, cream pie, pastry cream, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-vanilla-creme-brulee-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-vanilla-creme-brulee-recipe","linkCopy":"crème brûlée","category":null}'>crème brûlée</a>, homemade ice cream, pastry cream, crème anglaise, soufflés, and eggnog. </li></ol>

4 Double Boiler Uses

It’s possible to make a double boiler at home as long as your recipe does not require a double boiler with a lid. If you need a double boiler to create condensation to steam food, like dumplings, purchasing a dedicated double boiler with a fitted lid will work best. Follow this tutorial to make a DIY double boiler using standard kitchen tools.<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Prepare the water. Fill a medium-sized pot with two inches of water. Bring the water to boiling on the stovetop, then lower the heat so the water is simmering. </li><li class="">Add the food items. Place the items you want to melt or mix into a heat-proof bowl. The bowl should be slightly larger than the pot so it can completely cover the opening of the pot. </li><li class="">Mix the contents. Let the steam warm the bowl and mix the contents of the bowl until they reach your desired consistency. </li></ul>

How to Make a Double Boiler

When using a double boiler, keep the following tips in mind: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Choose a glass or stainless steel bowl. Mixing bowls of glass or stainless steel are heat-resistant and work best for double boilers. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Prevent the bottom of the bowl from touching the hot water. The bowl will get too hot if it touches the water, which could negatively affect your ingredients. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Steady the bowl. Use pot holders or an oven mitt to grip the bowl and keep it steady while stirring the contents. This can also help prevent you from burning your hands. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Using a Double Boiler 

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Using a double boiler is the best way to melt chocolate and make delicate sauces like hollandaise. Learn how to make a double boiler using standard kitchen tools.

Using a double boiler is the best way to melt chocolate and make delicate sauces like hollandaise. Learn how to make a double boiler using standard kitchen tools.
