2006-06-30 01:54:34 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
Since water can only reach a temperature of 212F at sea level - it prevents burning. A stovetop will exceed 212 even on the lowest setting.
2006-06-30 02:00:21 · answer #1 · answered by Mike 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A double boiler,is what some people call a steamer. How right they are, I don't know.
A double boiler is a two level sauce pan. one level has holes in it, like colander, and the other doesn't- the bottom one is where the water goes. There are (or used to be) kitchen gadgets called vegetable/rice steamers. I used to have one, it was complicated and simple at the same time, so to speak. It had to be plugged in, and it had a timer of its own. When the time was up, the vegetables were done. I was just wishing, I still had it.
2015-03-14 09:20:10 · answer #2 · answered by Pieman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A double boiler is an indirect source of heat so you use it to heat things that might scorch easily, like milk. It's also great for melting chocolate and the only way to make 7-minute frosting. When you're making a dish that calls for egg yolks to be stirred in and warmed slowly without actually "cooking," usually to thicken the dish, a double-boiler is very useful for that too.
2006-06-30 02:00:15 · answer #3 · answered by Peaches 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water heats up to 212F - any hotter it becomes steam and disipates. In a double boiler, the second pan can only get as hot as the water surrounding it - 212F. The first pan - the one in direct contact with the stove - will get as hot as the stove will heat it which is quite a bit hotter, and possibly burn whatever you're cooking (ie. melting chocolate).
2006-06-30 02:00:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't have a double boiler, do this: use a regular sauce pan with water in it on the stove and hold a smaller saucepan with whatever you are cooking overtop it just sitting on the top of the water. I've tried it and it definitly works. The only drawback is making your hand/arm tired.
2006-06-30 03:33:50 · answer #5 · answered by jesusluvstiff2001 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
people use them for melting chocolate and other things. The water on the bottom diffuses the heat from the burner, if it wasn't there the chocolate would burn before it melted. It is also useful it you are trying to heat something evenly and slowly.
2006-06-30 01:58:27 · answer #6 · answered by Leela13 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its indirect heat
double boilers are for Fancy cooking, and melting chocolates.
2006-06-30 01:58:45 · answer #7 · answered by Self-Righteous. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
INDIRECT HEAT TO PREVENT BURNING
2006-06-30 02:41:00 · answer #8 · answered by NICK B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋