Best Double Boilers
There are some foods that require special care when preparing. These include delicate and delicious desserts and foods such as hollandaise sauce, custard and chocolatey delights. It takes time and patience to get these recipes right and using a double boiler will make the process error-free.
This useful kitchen item provides the much needed precise temperature control and even, radiant heating that is ideal for performing delicate culinary tasks that require gentle melting or cooking. Because a double boiler is never placed directly on a heat source and instead sits above in another pot filled with hot or boiling water, the steam produced slowly melts or cooks whatever is in the double boiler.
The market is filled with a variety of double boilers. Figuring out which one is best for you can be tricky. We’ve curated a list of different double boilers to help you weed through it all. Read on and discover the one that best suits your cooking style.
1. Editor’s Choice: Songziming Stainless Steel Double Boiler Pot
You may not be a fancy cook, we get that, but if your culinary expertise extends as far as wanting to dip fresh fruit into warm, melted chocolate, you’re going to need a reliable double boiler so you don’t burn the chocolate.
We chose this double boiler from Songziming as our top pick for a number of reasons. We love its price – within reach of all budgets. We also like its size. The two-cup capacity is perfect for melting small amounts of food and because it only measures 10.4 inches by 5.5 inches by x 2.4 inches, it won’t take up much space in your kitchen.
The 18/8 stainless steel double boiler sits nicely on any small pot you may have, with a front hook design to keep it in place. A pour spout on each side makes for right- or left-handed use and a flat bottom and stay cool handle significantly up the ease-of-use quotient. Tiny but tough, it’s perfect for melting butter, cheese, candy, chocolate and wax for candle making.
Pros:
- Made from rust-resistant 18/8 stainless steel
- Fits a small pot or saucepan
- Double pour spouts
- Front hook
Cons:
- Small capacity
- Doesn’t come with a bottom pot
2. Runner Up: Sysmie Double Boiler Pot Set
Big cake, small cake, you’re ready to start the baking process, using lots of rich dark chocolate. And when it comes to sauces, perfecting hollandaise is next on your to-do list. Regardless of where you begin, you will need a good double boiler. Between cakes, candy, sauces and custards, you may want to consider two of these handy pots — a large and a small-capacity to accommodate each recipe requirement.
In this set, you get two double boilers, one 20-ounce and one 33-ounce pot. Both are made from food-grade 304 stainless steel, and each has a hook at one end to keep it steady sitting on a pot. They both also have a long, heat resistant handle and a pouring spout on each side. As a cute bonus, you also receive a one-piece stainless steel spatula that is coated with soft silicone. It’s the perfect size to fit into a jar to extract soft ingredients and you can use it to stir the butter or chocolate you are melting, or the eggs you are slow heating.
Pros:
- Two double boilers of different sizes
- Made from 340 stainless steel
- Long heat-resistant handles
- Two pour spouts
- Spatula included
Cons:
- More expensive than one double boiler
- Some people may not want or need two sizes
3. Best with Lid: ExcelSteel 3-Piece Double Boiler, 2.5 quart, Stainless Steel
The first two choices on our recommendation list consist of double boilers that are great space-saving options but require a bottom pot to get the job done correctly. If you have the space and the inclination, a three-piece set that include a bottom pot, a double boiler insert and a lid, may be a better option.
This double boiler from ExcelSteel is made from highly polished stainless steel and has a 2.5-quart capacity. Super versatile, the addition of the bottom pot allows you to use it separately, with or without the lid, for any number of cooking needs from boiling pasta and making rice to heating up soup. When you need to melt chocolate, butter or slow cook eggs for custard or a sauce, slip the insert over the bottom pot and voilà, there’s your double boiler.
The vented glass see-through lid lets you monitor the progress of whatever you are cooking, and each pot has its own long stay-cool handle. There are no pour spouts on this double boiler, but it is dishwasher safe, making clean up a breeze.
Pros:
- Induction stovetop ready
- Bottom pot can be used separately
- Tempered glass lid
- Stay-cool handles with hanging loops
Cons:
- Takes up space
- May be too large for some uses
- No pour spouts
4. Best Versatile: RSVP International 1-quart Induction Double Boiler
We all work on different stovetops. Gas, electric, ceramic, induction – heat sources vary from home to home. If you change your cooktop frequently, whether due to moving or having different appliances in your home, your RV and your cottage, then it’s best to invest in cookware that is suitable for all stovetops.
This one-quart double boiler is made of durable 18/8 stainless steel with a beautiful mirror finish. Measuring 6.5 inches in diameter with a five-inch handle, it has a triple-ply encapsulated bottom with an outer layer of 18/0 magnetic steel that is induction stovetop safe, and suitable for any other heat source, too.
The three-piece set features a top insert pan with curved sides to gently melt delicate ingredients and allow smooth mixing and blending. The heavier bottom pan, that can be used on its own or with the double boiler insert, provides quick, even heating. It comes with a glass lid with a steam vent and the whole thing is oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Now that’s versatile!
Pros:
- Three pieces
- Triple-ply encapsulated bottom that is induction ready
- Vented glass lid
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons:
- Small capacity
- No pour spouts
5. Best for Microwave: Rose Levy Beranbaum’s Baking Bowl Double Boiler
And now for something completely different and insanely convenient for anyone who doesn’t have a stovetop or wants to melt chocolate and other foods in a microwave.
This lightweight, space-saving double boiler doesn’t need a pot to hang on, although if you prefer that method of double boiler, this baking bowl will create a snug fit over a saucepan. Made from European-grade silicone, this double boiler is flexible and will maintain its shape. With a 1.5-quart (six-cup) capacity, it offers ample room for melting enough ingredients for the fudgiest brownies and richest ganache or you can use it to make lemon curd and cream sauces, too.
To use in the microwave, chop block chocolate into smaller pieces and place inside the baking bowl. Put the bowl in the microwave on high, stirring every 15 seconds until chocolate is almost melted. Remove from the microwave and continue to stir until the chocolate is completely melted and you’re done!
Other cool features include a non-stick surface for quick release and easy cleanup, freezer and oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher safe, too.
Pros:
- Can be used on its own or with a pot
- Microwave safe
- Non-stick surface
- Made from European-grade silicone
- Collapsible for easy storage
Cons:
- No handle
- No lid
- Do not use knives, scrapers or cutters which can puncture silicone
6. Best for Making Flan: Bene Casa Aluminum Flan Mold Double Boiler with Glass Lid
Fans of flan know how special and delicious this baked custard dessert topped with caramel can be: a sweet and creamy delight with hints of caramel and vanilla and made from egg yolks and cream. You can make flan in the oven, using a baking dish placed in a pan filled with about an inch of water, or you can do it in the oven using a double boiler specifically designed for flan perfection.
This 1.6-liter flan mold double boiler from Bene Casa has an eight-inch aluminum inner pan for even heat distribution to maintain the ideal temperature, ensuring the eggs don’t overcook. To use, you place water in the bottom pot and fit the aluminum insert over it. Pour in your ingredients and cover with the tempered glass lid. Two heavy-duty black handles make it safe and easy to lift in and out of the oven.
Once the flan is done, cleanup is easy in the dishwasher.
Pros:
- Made especially for custard flan
- Two heavy duty black handles
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- No handle on insert
- No pour spouts
7. Best Large Capacity: Thunder Group 16 Quart 18/8 Stainless Steel Double Boiler
If you run a home cooking business or like to prepare large quantities of food at a time, then you are likely looking for large capacity cookware to fulfill your needs. For the avid cook who wants the versatility and flexibility of something bigger than the other models on this list, we’ve included this capacious 16-quart three-piece double boiler from Thunder Group.
Made from 18/8 stainless steel, the double boiler has a heavy-gauge mirror-finish exterior surface that can withstand a lot of use in the kitchen. Ideal for boiling vegetables, steaming seafood, melting chocolate and preparing delicate sauces and custards, the double boiler includes a bottom boiler pot, an insert and a lid. Both the bottom pot and the insert have sturdy, welded handles for easy and secure carrying from stovetop to table or counter.
This double boiler is induction, electric, gas and halogen cooktop ready and is also dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Meets the standards imposed by NSF international
- Suitable for all cooktops
Cons:
- No pour spouts
- Lid is not transparent
- Pricey
8. Also Consider: de Buyer Double Boiler Bain-Marie
Some people say that a bain Marie and a double boiler are one and the same, but those in the know understand the subtle differences between the two. A bain Marie does the same function as a double boiler – it gently melts ingredients for cooking – but it doesn’t look anything like a typical double boiler.
This bain Marie from de Buyer is more expensive than most of the others on this list, but if you are looking for something that is not made in China, you may not mind spending a little extra for this model that is manufactured in France. Made from stainless steel with an aluminum core base for efficient heat conduction and distribution, it measures 6.3 inches by five inches and has a 1.6-quart capacity.
The double boiler pot works a little differently than others: here, water is added by pouring it in a spout in the handle. A built-in water level gauge lets you know when to stop pouring. You put your ingredients inside the aluminum core and then put the pot on a heat source. This method is ideal for baby food, heating milk and sauces, melting chocolate and defrosting delicate frozen dishes.
Pros:
- Made in France
- Aluminum core
- Ergonomic handle
- Pouring rim
- Induction ready
Cons:
- Handwash only
- Small capacity
- Pricey
What to look for when choosing a double boiler:
A double boiler, as its name suggests, consists of two containers, a smaller one that sits on top of a larger one. The bottom container, or pot, contains hot or boiling water and the top pot has the ingredients you wish to heat, melt or cook. A double boiler is handy because it provides precise temperature control. Even, radiant heat from the water in the lower pot heats the conductive surface of the smaller container above, slowly bringing the internal ingredients to a stable and precise temperature. This makes it ideal for creating chocolate sauce, cheese sauce and egg sauces such as hollandaise. All of these delicate ingredients, if exposed to high heat too quickly, will break down. So, cheese will curdle, eggs will separate as will the solids in chocolate.
Type:
There are different types of double boilers on the market, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Choosing one will depend on your cooking style, budget and storage space.
One piece: This is the most affordable option and consists of a bowl-shaped pot, usually but not always, with a hook on one end to help it sit securely on top of another pot, and a handle on the other end. It is often used for melting smaller quantities of chocolate or other ingredients, and you can find it in various sizes. Except for ones made from silicone that can go into the microwave, the majority of double boilers are made of stainless steel with aluminum but are too thin to sit directly on a heat source. A one-piece double boiler must sit on a heavier pot into which you put and heat water. A bain Marie, however, is a one-piece double boiler and many of these are constructed to go directly on the heat source without the use of another pot.
Two pieces: A two-piece double boiler consists of a bottom pot, usually made of stainless steel, where you put water, and a smaller insert, often made of aluminum, that sits on top of the heavier pot. These are convenient because the lower pot can be used separately to cook other foods. When looking for a two-piece double boiler, make sure both pots have handles and that the insert has at least one pour spout.
Three pieces: While you will need more space for a three-piece double boiler, this configuration will come in handy for its versatile use. The three pieces consist of a bottom pot, an insert, and a lid. Having a lid will expand your cooking repertoire, especially if you use the bottom pot and the lid. Be sure to choose a tempered glass lid with a steam vent. This will make it easier for you to track the progress of your food without lifting the lid.