Is a Double-Boiler a Real Necessity?

[K. Slink]

That's correct, especially when working with chocolate. It scorches very easily and there is nothing to fix it...

[KarenB]

The whole idea behind the double boiler is that the hot steam heats and cooks the upper pot slowly. If the pot touches the water your just boiling your contents. It's a slow heat. I just finished making almond bark. Comes out smooth and silky.

[al dente']

Double boilers are nice; you can use it for all sorts of recipes. Especially good for making custard-based ice creams or other custard desserts. Get one at a second-hand store! A good investment, by my lights.

[Kookie]

a 2qt and a 3qt farberware that I use, my original pots from when I was first married, they never fail me, especially when making icing

[linda joneli]

I never use a double boiler just a large deep pyrex bowl in a big pan. I use this method quite a lot especially when I'm making lemon curd

[Big Daddy's House]

I never use a double boiler just a large deep pyrex bowl in a big pan. I use this method quite a lot especially when I'm making lemon curd

Yeah, you can get away with using a suitable Pyrex or a stainless steel bowl, which will suffice over a suitable small to medium size pot.

Years ago, Pyrex used to make a stand-alone double boiler that could be brought as an open stock piece without buying a matching cookware set. It was clear

Then in the mid "80s, Pyrex had offered their Visions Cookware set which came in both a Burgundy color and an Amber deep gold color. I bought the set in Amber. And with it came a double boiler, which I still have and use now & then, especially when making custards for ice cream.

I still have the entire cookware set, with all items intact - nothing broken! Knock on wood.

[Big Daddy's House]

Here it is;

Don't know if it is still availoible though.

You can find stainless steel double boiler sets on Amazon.com though.

[Kookie]

never the set though, I replaced them with the farberware, I burnt something in one when I was first married and it wouldn't come clean.........so I chucked it, lol, I did try certain homemade cleaners but no go on getting it clean.....As a new bride I burnt alot of things lol

[Big Daddy's House]

You had the one pictured above?

[KarenB]

I have the original clear set. Inherited from my late mother in law. Always a special place in heaven for a woman that loved kitchen toys!