The Best Double Boiler
Our Review Process
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Our Picks For The Top Double Boilers
- 1. purelife Easy Clean Even Heat Double Boiler, 3-Quart
- 2. Farberware Traditional Covered Double Boiler For Chocolate, 2-Quart
- 3. YOLOPLUS+ Multifunctional Long Handled Double Boiler, 900-Milliliter
- 4. T-fal B1399663 Nonstick Stainless Steel Double Boiler For Chocolate, 3-Quart
- 5. SONGZIMING Multipurpose Flat Bottom Double Boiler, 400-Milliliter
- 6. Marsheepy Anti-Rusting Easy Hang Double Boiler For Chocolate, 1.1-Quart
- 7. Sysmie Multi-Functional Spouted Double Boiler, 600-Milliliter
- 8. Marsheepy Anti-Rusting Easy Hang Double Boiler, 600-Milliliter
- 9. Winware Stainless Lidded Double Boiler, 20-Quart
- 10. Granite Ware Double Boiler, 1.5-Quart
- 11. ExcelSteel Hanging Double Boiler, 2.5-Quart
- 12. Cook N Home Stainless Steel Double Boiler, 2-Quart
- 13. All-Clad Reflective Double Boiler Insert, 3-Quart
- 14. Nordic Ware Universal Aluminum Double Boiler For Chocolate, 4-Quart
- 15. Cuisinart Stay-Cool Handles Double Boiler, 3-Quart
- 16. Farberware Dishwasher Safe Double Boiler, 2-Quart
- 17. Rachael Ray Nonstick Steamer Double Boiler, 3-Quart
- 18. Winware Commercial Grade Double Boiler, 8-Quart
- 19. T-fal Non-Stick Cast Iron Double Boiler, 3-Quart
- 20. Calphalon Nonstick Sauce Pan with Double Boiler, 4.5-Quart
Whether you're making chocolates for dessert or candles for gifts, this double boiler has you covered. It's constructed using a rust-resistant stainless steel and comes with a tempered glass lid. The riveted ergonomic handles are also a plus, as they provide a better grip when stirring.
Most VersatileYou can use this double boiler on any type of cooktop, including induction stovetops.
This double boiler for chocolate comes with a saucepan that is oven safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The base is made from a thick aluminum core, which means it's also induction compatible. Even the handles, with their upward curve, are designed with your comfort in mind.
Saucepan and Lid IncludedYou'll love this double boiler for chocolate's handle, as it is curved upward for a comfortable grip.
Although smaller in size, this double boiler is quite mighty. It features built-in pour spouts and has a front hook that keeps it firmly in place. Use it to melt chocolate to pour over your ice cream, wax to create your very own scented candles or cheese to have a fondue night with the family.
Durable OptionIncluded with this double boiler is a complimentary silicone spatula.
Made from an attractive stainless steel, this double boiler for chocolate won't rust or retain odors. It's also an excellent multipurpose boiler, as it can handle everything from melting cheeses to making candles. There's even a front hook to keep the boiler from sliding away.
Budget PickIn addition to melting chocolate, this double boiler also works well for candle making.
Buying Guide
Everyone has gotten halfway through a recipe, only to see a reference to a piece of unfamiliar cookware. One of those items is a double boiler, which is especially popular for melting chocolate and cooking sauces and custards.
If you’ve ever seen a double boiler mentioned in a recipe, you’ve probably done what many others have over the years: conducted an online search for a substitute. You can easily get great results by filling a small saucepan with water, fitting a metal mixing bowl with the items you’re cooking inside it and boiling the water until your ingredients are melted.
But if you’re going to be making candy, sauces or other similar recipes on a regular basis, a double boiler will be well worth the investment. A double boiler comes with both pots you need to execute these recipes. Unlike a saucepan and mixing bowl, an official double boiler will be specifically designed for melting in the top pot, including a design that ensures even cooking.
There are many double boilers on the market, varying in design and price. Before you choose one over another, pay close attention to the many benefits each one offers. You may find that you save a couple of dollars, only to struggle with slow or uneven heating. You also could find that you choose a double boiler that isn’t built to last, forcing you to replace it soon after you buy it.
What to Look For
- Different types of cooktops require different pots and pans. If you have a stove that uses induction heating to cook, you’ll find that many of the stainless-steel pots on the market aren’t compatible. Look for one that specifically advertises that it works over induction heat.
- Wooden spoons are safest with stainless steel cookware. However, some double boilers have a finish that doesn’t scratch when used with metal cooking utensils.
- Between uses, you’ll need somewhere to store your double boiler. If you hang your pots and pans, look for a set that has hooks or holes in each handle. If not, consider how much space they’ll take up and make sure you have enough room in your cabinets for storing them.
- Cleaning is a consideration with any cookware. A nonstick surface can keep things quick and painless. However, a dishwasher-safe double boiler can be even more convenient.
- Stainless steel pans traditionally had handles that heated up during use, requiring you to use a potholder. For this reason, it’s important to be extra diligent while shopping to make sure you get a double boiler with stay-cool handles.
- If you ever plan to use either of the pans in your oven, look for one that has handles that are oven safe up to the heat level you’ll need.
More to Explore
The design of a double boiler is based on something called a bain-marie, which is a fancy term to describe a hot water bath. The words were shortened from “balneum Mariae,” which translates as “Mary’s bath.” That term refers to the inventor of the two-vessel heating system, Mary the Jewess, although her original bain-marie design looked more like something you’d see in a lab than something used to cook. Mary’s discovery used the ability of stacking pans to create “indirect heat,” which allows for heating liquids without having to worry about scorching. Sauces, chocolates and custards are the most popular items cooked using double boilers.
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