Cooking in a double boiler allows you to heat the ingredients using steam. With this system the heat is distributed more evenly and is easier to control. You can use the bain marie to melt chocolate if you need to make an icing, sauce or candy, but you can also use it to melt wax or soap for DIY projects. Don't have a special saucepan for the bain marie? Don't worry, it's a simple system to replicate. This article will tell you which tools you need and how to use them.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Assemble the Bain Marie Pot
Step 1. Prepare all the necessary pieces
You will need both casseroles: the upper and the lower. Unless the recipe specifies otherwise, you shouldn't need the supplied lid. If you don't have a special bain marie pot, you can recreate one using a tall, thick-bottomed saucepan and a large, heat-resistant bowl that you can place on top.
- The bowl must fit perfectly into the pot, adhering well to the edges, in order to be stable. In the center it must remain suspended without touching the bottom of the pot or the water that you will pour into it.
- If possible, you should use a glass or ceramic bowl. Both materials, unlike metal, conduct little heat, so the ingredients will heat up slower and more evenly, giving you more control.
Step 2. Pour about 5cm of water into the bottom of the lower pan
When cooking in a bain marie, the ingredients are heated with heat, not hot water, so the bottom of the upper saucepan (or bowl) must not come into contact with the water you poured into the bottom of the lower one. Check the current water level and, if necessary, add more or remove some.
It may be helpful to have more water on hand. The level will gradually decrease during cooking. You can prevent it from shrinking excessively and burning the bottom of the saucepan on the stove by preparing a cup of water in advance to add at the appropriate time. When the water level drops too low, pour the necessary amount into the pot
Step 3. Place the top saucepan or bowl on the pot you poured the water into
It will have to fit perfectly in order to be stable. Check to see if it comes into contact with the water below and, if necessary, remove some of it. The amount of water needed can vary according to the size of the saucepans, but it should be about 5 cm. This way you can be sure that it is enough (and therefore enough steam is produced) to last for the entire cooking period or almost.
Step 4. After inserting them one inside the other, put the two pots on the fire
The water will have made them heavy, so use both hands to move them.
Part 2 of 3: Using the Bain Marie Cooking
Step 1. Cut the ingredients you want to heat into small pieces
Since cooking in a double boiler produces moderate heat, it is best to finely chop whatever you wish to cook or melt. This will reduce the time it takes to cook or heat them.
If the ingredients in the recipe or the parts that make up your project are already small in size, there is no need to cut them further. This is the case, for example, of chocolate in drops or confectionery, of soap flakes or pearl wax
Step 2. Pour the items you want to melt into the top saucepan or bowl
Try to distribute them evenly all over the bottom so they get the same amount of heat.
Step 3. Turn on the stove and start heating the water
Remember that it will only have to simmer, not coming to a complete boil, unless your recipe or project instructions specify otherwise.
Step 4. Stir when you see the ingredients begin to dissolve
You can use a spatula, whisk or wooden spoon. By mixing the contents you will ensure that it warms up evenly. If you skip this step, some parts may still be solid or undercooked while others may be burnt or "torn".
Step 5. Add more water as needed
If at any time you notice that the water level in the saucepan on the stove has become less than 3 cm, top up immediately. In this way, the steam that is used to heat the ingredients will continue to be produced. Simply lift the top saucepan (or bowl) and pour more water into the one below until the level reaches 5 cm again. At that point, return the saucepan with the ingredients to the starting position.
Step 6. Transfer the result to a container or mold
When the ingredients have reached the desired consistency, lift the top saucepan and pour the contents where needed. If you used a regular pot and bowl, the bowl may not have a handle, so use pot holders or oven mitts to protect your hands and avoid burning yourself.
Part 3 of 3: Heating Specific Items in a Water Bath
Step 1. Use the bain marie to prepare special recipes or creative projects
In most cases, you will need to simmer the water, as explained in the previous section, and keep the pot on the stove. Under certain circumstances, however, the water will need to boil and sometimes it will be necessary to remove the pot from the heat when it has started to boil. This part of the article will give you more specific instructions on how to heat common ingredients using a double boiler, including chocolate, soap, wax and sauces.
Step 2. Melt the chocolate to make a glaze, sauce or candy
To melt it in a double boiler, you will need to use a low heat and a silicone kitchen spatula to mix frequently. If the chocolate is not already in small pieces, for example in drops, you will have to cut it, crush it or grate it. This way it will melt faster.
- Be careful that the melted chocolate does not come into contact with the boiling water. Otherwise it will become hard or grainy. If that happens, adding 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of butter or oil should solve the problem.
- To prevent dark chocolate from burning, do not let the temperature exceed 46 ° C. To prevent the same from happening with milk chocolate or white chocolate, do not let them rise above 43 ° C.
Step 3. Use the double boiler method to melt the wax and make candles
Pour 3-5 cm of water into the lower saucepan and place an aluminum circle in the center (for example a pastry cutter or a cookie cutter). At this point, place the pieces of wax in a candle mold and place it on top of the metal circle. In this case you will not need to use the second saucepan or bowl. Turn on the stove by setting it to medium-low heat, then wait for the water to start simmering.
- If the wax is not already in small pieces, such as pearls or flakes, you need to cut or grate it to allow it to melt faster.
- When it has melted, you can add a few drops of dye or perfume to taste.
- Do not leave the wax unattended. Although it is true that it takes a long time to melt, when it reaches the "flame point" it becomes flammable. To avoid this, do not let the temperature of the wax in the mold exceed 121 ° C.
Step 4. Use double boiler cooking for homemade soap
Grate or thinly slice the solid starting ingredient (usually castile soap), then pour it into the top saucepan (or bowl) to melt it in a double boiler. Some recipes also recommend adding a tablespoon of water to prevent the soap from drying out as you heat it. Once dissolved, you can incorporate any other necessary ingredients, typically essential oils, dyes, perfumes, or spices.
Homemade soap does not have the same smooth composition as regular bars of soap, it is slightly grainier. It will take about 20 minutes to reach this consistency
Step 5. Use double boiler cooking to make glycerin soap
Cut the soap you intend to use as a base into small pieces; if it has lines or grooves, you can use them as guidelines for the knife. Transfer the pieces of soap to the top saucepan (or boule) to melt them in a double boiler. Once dissolved, you can add the other ingredients required by the recipe, usually essential oils, dyes, perfumes or spices.
- Plan to make a kilo of soap at a time. This is the easiest quantity to manage.
- Adjust the heat to medium or medium-low heat to dissolve the soap flakes. Be careful not to heat them too quickly.
