by Robin Degner

Created on: January 13, 2009   Last Updated: January 28, 2009

Some of the best recipes use double broilers. Double broilers are helpful for making sauces mix smoothly and evenly. They're the best way to melt chocolate because they don't leave that lingering scent of burnt chocolate in the microwave and they make the chocolate break down slowly and evenly.

Making your own double broiler is one of the easiest things in cooking. You simply take a pot and fill it with water, like you do when boiling anything on the stove. Then, take a bowl and put it on top of the pan. It should be something that won't shatter under heat, like a saucepan.

Double broilers are excellent for creaming things together, like sugar (brown sugar and white sugar) and butter when making cookies. It yields a smooth, even texture and has a caramel-like smell. It's also really easy to mix in with the rest of your ingredients.

It's also perfect for melting chocolate. Have you ever tried to make chocolate mousse and not been able to get the chocolate to just the right texture? Next time try a double broiler. Alternatively, the melted chocolate can also be used for strawberries. bananas or cherries if you need a makeshift fondue pot. It's inexpensive but still effective. You can keep the chocolate warm, as it should be, and it's still open and easy to reach. Likewise, you can also use a double broiler for cheese fondue.

A few years ago, a friend of mine was making soap for a college fundraiser, and she had to use a double broiler to perfectly meld the ingredients together. Like it's easy to do with chocolate, when she melted them without the double broiler, she ruined a whole batch of ingredients. The double broiler, however, kept them from getting too hot.

Many recipes specify the use of a double broiler, like some chocolate mouse recipes. You don't need to go out and buy a double broiler. It really does work just as well to make your own. Here are two simple recipes that use a double broilers:

Hollandaise Sauce

*4 egg yolks
*1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
*1/2 cup unsalted butter (pre-melt)
*Pinch of cayenne pepper
*Pinch of salt

Mix the lemon and the yolks together. Once they're well-mixed, use your double broiler (or use the bowl to make your own) and stir quickly, but make sure the heat is low, or your eggs will scramble. Add in the butter slowly and continue to stir it as the sauce thickens. Take the mixture off the heat and add in the salt and cayenne pepper.

Rice Pudding

*1 quart whole milk
*1/2 cup rice
*1/2 cup sugar
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon vanilla
*1 egg

Put the milk, rice, sugar and salt in the top portion of the double broiler and let it cook for about a half hour, but stir it frequently. Continue to cook it until the rice is soft (time varies). Slowly add in the egg, a small amount at a time, stirring it until it's mixed in thorughly. Be sure the heat isn't on too high or the egg will scramble. Remove the bowl from the heat and add in the vanilla. Mix it well. The rice pudding can be served hot or cold.

Though it's unlikely you'll use a double broiler on a daily basis, it sure is nice for when you need it! Enjoy!

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