Double Boiler options?

[Octaveman]

Are they pretty much all created equal? Any brands better than the other? I'm looking to buy my first one so can I spend $18 or do I have to spend $40-$50?

thanks,

[ElsieD]

I have an el cheapo universal top that fits on several of my pans and it works just fine. I have also just plunked a stainless steel mixing bowl on top of a pot. That works fine too.

[Chris Hennes]

Too bad you live far away, I'd offer you mine: I never use the damned thing.

Since the steam does the job of spreading the heat evenly, the only real design criteria is the shape of the top portion: does your whisk fit in there nicely, with no nooks and crannies you can't get into? If so, buying the cheapest one you can find that fits that will do you just fine, I think. Mine has an aluminum disk in the bottom of the lower part, but as far as I'm concerned that is over-engineering it.

[Octaveman]

Hmmm, that's what I thought. Unfortunately, it's sort of hard to see for sure the construction with an online purchase. So the inserts are not all made the same then? How do you keep from burning your hands with steam coming out between the two sections as you stir? I can certainly get a SS bowl too...that would be easy.

[Chris Hennes]

Hmmm, that's what I thought.  Unfortunately, it's sort of hard to see for sure the construction with an online purchase.  So the inserts are not all made the same then?  How do you keep from burning your hands with steam coming out between the two sections as you stir?  I can certainly get a SS bowl too...that would be easy.

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If there is steam coming out at a velocity and quantity high enough to burn you, you have the heat up too high. In general the water should only be simmering (though I'm sure there are exceptions...).

If you don't have your heart set on a double boiler, my personal recommendation is a stainless steel bowl that is completely rounded on the bottom (no flat part)—this removes any areas where stuff might build up that the whisk is unable to reach, and allows it to fit over any size pot. That's what I do now (even though I own a DB, which turned out to be a waste of money and space).

Edited December 10, 2008 by Chris Hennes (log)

[Octaveman]

Cool. That's what I'll do. Thanks.

[paulraphael]

...my personal recommendation is a stainless steel bowl that is completely rounded on the bottom (no flat part)—this removes any areas where stuff might build up that the whisk is unable to reach, and allows it to fit over any size pot. That's what I do now (even though I own a DB, which turned out to be a waste of money and space).

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Yup!

two great things about doing it this way:

-it works better than any specialized double boiler

-you already have what you need.

I had a specialized double boiler insert for a saucepan. Turned out to be inferior to a bowl in every way. So I drilled it full of holes. now it's a steamer.