Best Double Boilers

Double boilers serve many purposes in the modern home kitchen, and come in more than useful for the daily tasks we all face.

Luckily, there are now countless affordable options for homeowners to choose from, allowing professional cooking equipment to be available to even those on the tightest budget. 

But what exactly is a double boiler, and what are some models you should be looking for? 

What Is A Double Boiler? 

In culinary terms, a double boiler is a piece of cooking equipment designed to apply gentle heat to food on a stove stop.

These are essentially designed to be double layered – with said layers staggered slightly to create a void that slows down the conduction of heat throughout the pan. 

The trick is the creation, facilitation, and control of this ‘indirect heat’ – wherein the pan of water on the stovetop becomes heated, but the smaller container inside the pan merely reaps mild benefits from the process. 

How Is It Used? 

It is used generally for delicate tasks, such as melting chocolate without burning it, or for making Hollandaise sauce – wherein the egg yolks need to be heated just enough so that they form the desired emulsion.

The Best Double Boilers

Of course, finding the right product for you can still be tricky, which is why we have put together a list of some of the best products on the market to hopefully make your decision far easier. 

So, without further ado (and in no particular order), let’s get started!

Farberware Double Boiler

While being one of the priciest on this list, our first entry has one of the largest capacities (1.89 liters), meaning you have all the room you need to accomplish any number of kitchen tasks. 

What’s more, the double boiler by Farberware is incredibly lightweight (2.86 pounds), meaning you won’t be struggling under the weight.

This means that it is not only accommodating, but also promotes kitchen safety, and reduces the chance of spilling hot liquids. 

Oven safe to 350 degrees fahrenheit, dishwasher safe, and delivering quick, efficient, precision heat, the Farberware really is one of the best on the market. 

Pros

  • Large capacity. 
  • High quality product. 
  • Lightweight. 
  • Dishwasher safe. 
  • Value for money. 

Cons

  • Slightly pricier. 

ExcelSteel Three Piece Boiler

One of the most modestly priced products on this list, this three piece boiler from ExcelSteel is an example of just how affordable and accessible consumer products can be. 

Made from highly polished stainless steel, and capable of holding around 12 cups of liquids, produce, or ingredients, this really is a great double boiler, and one that can be a fantastic addition to any home kitchen. 

Featuring stay-cool handles, hanging loops, a tempered glass lid, and dishwasher safe components, this is a great all-rounder for anyone wanting to experiment in the kitchen. 

Pros

  • Low price tag. 
  • High quality components. 
  • Dishwasher safe. 
  • 12 cups capacity. 
  • Stay-cool handles. 

Cons

  • Thinner insert pan. 

Cook N Home Double Boiler

Third on our list is this double boiler from Cook N Home.

With a body made from stainless steel, and with an aluminum insert in the bottom, this is a sturdy, easy to clean piece of equipment that will perform time and time again during any kitchen task and cooking preparation. 

The aluminum core enables even distribution of heat, ensuring you get the best finish on whatever dish you are preparing.

The tempered glass lid offers protection, and the specially designed steam vents ensure you can always see what is going on.

What’s more, the riveted, silicone wrapped handles ensure that you are always protected when handling hot substances. 

Pros

  • High quality product. 
  • Widely compatible. 
  • Sturdy. 

Cons

  • Higher price tag. 
  • Not oven safe. 

La Patisserie Double Boiler

This double boiler from La Patisserie might be one of the smaller double boilers on this list, but with a good reputation, and an even better price, you really can’t argue with the value for money. 

Made from sturdy stainless steel, this boiler comes with 4 chocolate molds, and couldn’t be easier to assemble. 

Holding 7.2 cups, this boiler might not be the biggest, but you can rest assured knowing that you are working with one of the best on the market. 

Pros

  • Affordable price. 
  • High quality components. 
  • 4 chocolate molds included. 

Cons

  • Smaller volume. 

Classic Cuisine Double Boiler

With a mirrored, stainless steel finish, a 6 cup capacity, this product comes with a bottom saucepan, top pot, and a lid, ensuring you have everything you need to slowly cook using indirect heat. 

Perfect for numerous uses – including candy coating, making caramel sauce, making ganache, whisking eggs for Hollandaise sauce, and preparing custards – this really is the perfect all-round double boiler for any home setup. 

Pros

  • Affordable price. 
  • Value for money. 
  • Quality materials. 
  • Lightweight. 

Cons

  • Modest saucepan size. 

Final Thoughts

And there we have it, everything you need to know about double boilers, and which ones are the best products on the market. 

It’s true that double boilers serve an important purpose, both to cooking, and ensuring perfect control of temperature, and thanks to these affordable prices, you too can achieve these same goals in your own home. 

So if you are looking for the perfect double boiler, then why not try one of these out?

Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!

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Kathryn Sewell

Hi! I'm Kate and I have been baking and cooking for as long as I can remember. I like to share the most interesting tips and recipes I try here on What Kate Baked for you to enjoy. If you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share send it over on social.

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