The Common Double Boiler Mistake You Should Avoid

A double boiler, or Bain Marie as the French call it, is a simple contraption that can make a big difference in your cooking. When you have to melt chocolate or make a fragile sauce like bearnaise or hollandaise, a double boiler will come to the rescue. Bain Marie means "water bath," according to bab.la, and that's just what it is — a pot or a bowl with the food that is suspended above another pot filled with simmering water.

Melting or heating foods like chocolate or an egg-based sauce is tricky because those ingredients burn or curdle easily. You can work over low heat, but there's always a risk the food will scorch or the sauce will split. A double boiler will make that less likely. Putting that water between your food and the direct heat makes all the difference.

But even with the double boiler, there is one common double boiler mistake that you should definitely avoid. It's simple but crucial.

You never want to let the bottom of the bowl or pot touch the simmering water, per MasterClass. The whole point of a double boiler is that you are using steam, which is indirect heat, to cook the food. If the bottom of the top pot or bowl sits in that water, that's direct heat and the food can overcook.

The best way to prevent this mistake is to not fill the bottom pot too much. But, there is the risk of the water in the bottom pot boiling away, so you have to pay close attention. Occasionally lift the top bowl or pot to make sure there is at least an inch of water. If not, you'll need to remove the top part, put it to the side, add water to the bottom pot and bring it to a simmer again. Continue with the recipe.

It's important to note that the water shouldn't boil, it should just be at a simmer (per Chicago Tribune). That way there will be enough steam to melt or cook the food, but not too much to overcook it.

You can buy ready-made double boilers, either on their own or as part of a saucepan set. Or you can rig one up. Use a glass heat-proof or a stainless steel bowl. Find one that fits neatly in one of your saucepans. Put water in the bottom, start the water simmering, add the food to the bowl and you're good to go.

Use your newfound kitchen knowledge to make some fabulous dishes. Make clarified butter to drizzle over steak or to saute scallops in. Try this recipe for perfect chile con queso, a smooth and creamy dip perfect for scooping up with tortilla chips. Or make classic eggs Benedict with hollandaise for a special brunch or weekend breakfast. For a special dessert, you can try a tangy lemon tart, with a rich filling made in the double boiler. And the double boiler can do more than prepare food. Next time you're entertaining, use Rachael Ray's tip for keeping mashed potatoes warm — the Bain Marie!