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Making some of your favorite desserts, foods, pastries, and bakes requires a lot of planning and action. Some are easy to get by, while others are not. Covering and decorating cakes occasionally necessitates adding cream, usually in the form of solid components.
So, how do you turn them into liquid? How do you get them to trickle down the sides of your cake? A double boiler is the main equipment for this; a double boiler is a saucepan with an upper compartment heated by boiling water in the lower one.
Many individuals use an option for melting because they do not have a double boiler in their homes. In this situation, they only need to place a bowl in a pot of water on the stove or gas.
By using this strategy, many people have avoided the hassle of seeking a standard double boiler. Many people are concerned about what form of a bowl can be used to double boil water in a pot. Plastic? Is it possible to use plastic for this? Learn more about what we know about this.
Can You Double Boil In A Plastic Bowl?
No, you cannot double boil with a plastic bowl. This is because plastic bowls are not heatproof or heat resistant; hence, they will lose shape or get damaged.
The entire process of double boiling necessitates the addition of a pot of water to the cooker, as well as the addition of a bowl to the pot. The heat will heat the bowl and its contents from the boiled water. For double boiling, plastic is not a suitable choice.
As previously stated, this is because plastic is not heat resistant, which means it is not intended for use in heating activities and should not be placed near heat directly or indirectly. Using plastic for a double boiler can cause the plastic to lose its shape or even cause it to break.
Damage to the plastic can also lead to the pot being ruined since the plastic becomes liquid and adheres to the pot.
The most crucial thing to consider when choosing a bowl for a makeshift double boiling is if it is heatproof. Heat-resistant bowls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. The majority of the time, though, they are composed of stainless steel, ceramic, or glass.
Plastic, thin glass, and wood bowls are not heat resistant and should not be used for double boiling.
Other Methods Of Double Boiling
There are other methods of making a make-shift double boiler for melting and for other purposes you might need them for. Find out below;
1. Use Two Pots
You can manufacture your makeshift double boiler by using two pots to mimic the “ready-made” double boiler. All you need are two pots of varying sizes: small and large.
Please make sure the small pot fits into the big one, but it must not contact the big one’s base or the water within. Place your ingredient in the little pot and set it on the water in the larger saucepan. The component in the little pot will benefit from the heat from the boiling water.
2. Use A Bain Marie
A Bain Marie is a container that holds hot water and can be used to hold a pan for slow cooking. In the culinary world, it’s known as a hot water bath, and it’s similar to a double boiler, but it’s for use in the oven. It’s used to make delicate foods like custards and other desserts.
A bain-marie can be used not just for food but also for double boiling. You’ll need a high-sided baking pan and a small bowl to keep your ingredients in. Fill the baking pan halfway with hot water and add the small bowl containing your ingredients.
After that, put the entire pan in the oven. The outcome will be available in no time.
Can You Use A Metal Bowl As A Double Boiler?
Yes, you can use a metal bowl in addition to your pot as a double boiler. Metals like stainless steel, aluminum, and steel conduct heat well and are heat resistant so that they can be submerged in boiling water.
The metal will get warm/hot due to the heat from the boiling water, making the component heated. Be careful how you touch the metal; the steam from the water will heat it, and if you pick it up with your bare hands, you could get burned.
Can You Use A Pyrex As A Double Boiler?
Pyrex bowls are made of borosilicate glass, which is heat resistant. Although using pyrex directly on a cooker or exposing it to direct heat is harmful, you may only use it for double-boiling. The heat that the pyrex receives from boiling water is just right for melting chocolate or any other object.
Make sure the bowl you’re using fits inside the pot’s rim. Ensure the bowl does not come into contact with the water since this can cause the glass to break. It’s crucial to understand that not all glass is pyrex.
Before purchasing your glass, you may want to double-check everything.
Can You Double Boil With A Microwave?
No, using a microwave to double boil is not a good idea. For double boiling, you can only use an oven. You can also double boil in a microwave oven, which is faster and less dirty than other ways.
Final Thoughts
Some foods, delicacies, and baked items require double boiling. However, you do not need to be concerned if you do not have a double-boiling appliance. You may make a makeshift double boiler with what you already have in your kitchen.
Using plastic for double boiling is not an option because it can deform the shape of your bowl or destroy it.
