What is the thing called that you put between a pot and the stove burner to keep things from burning?

Question

My dad has this metal thing, about 6 inches diameter and 1 inch tall, that he puts between the burner and a pot when he's cooking marinara sauce for several hours to keep it from burning. He calls it a "double broiler" but it definatly isn't a real double boiler. I really want to get one but I can't figure out what it's called. Anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

My Grandmother called it a "simmer plate or grate". I would love to find one for myself. They used to come with old stoves and let you maintain a low even heat across the bottom of the pan when you are simmering. You are right that it is not a double boiler which is a completely different animal. If I could find one I would be thrilled. My Grandmother used it when she made bean soup that simmered for hours and hours on a low heat.

Answer 2

It's called a heat diffuser and is enameled cast iron. It's to prevent food from burning it you don't stir it. On low heat, you can use it instead of a double boiler. A trivet is put on the table for holding hot dishes during the meal. It would never stand up to the heat required for cooking. My diffuser is an Ilsa, imported from Italy, and I got it at a kitchen specialty shop for $11.95.

Answer 3

Trivets sound like the correct answer to me. A double boiler can be fashioned out of any sauce pot and smaller bowl that fits over the top of it. I can't say that I have seen trivets in any retail outlet, perhaps you may be able to find a Blacksmith to fashion some at a fairly low price..... not very labor intensive to make provided you have metal, saws, welding equipment. Hope this helps and Happy Holidays.

Answer 4

My guess is a trivet. But I've never heard of them going over a burner. My family only used them (metal and wooden) to put on the counter so the pot wouldn't scorch the surface.

Answer 5

BURNER COVERS! Oh, and they make little things that go under the burner, but I cannot remember what they are called...LOL! They are referred to at my house as "the silver things on the stove" HAHAHA!

Answer 6

an insulator. use em all the time at work...but our pots of sauce burn because people dont stir the sauces!

Answer 7

heat diffuser

Answer 8

Try this link y'all.

http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2822&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=701&iSubCat=702&iProductID=2822

Answer 9

diffuser

Answer 10

trivets