My deep, dark secret.
Written: Aug 27 '09
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Pros: Inexpensive, easy to clean, indispensible for --certain-- recipes.
Cons: Awkward to store, a little deep, doesn't get used often.
The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line would be better off without brownies.
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| prfstars's Full Review: CHEF'S Universal Double Boiler |
I make ludicrously good brownies. I don't know if there's one other thing that comes out of my kitchen about which I can make this statement: I've never had better. Not from a bakery, and certainly not from a box. My brownies have crisp edges and dense, rich (but not fudgy) interiors. They remind me of really good flourless chocolate cake.
I have never, ever thrown away a brownie. One time I overcooked a batch and cast it aside, but my dinner guests found the pan and ate every crumbly bite.
I have a few secrets.
One secret is cayenne pepper. Not a lot, mind you. Nobody ever knows it's in there; they only know their mouths feel ever-so-slightly tickled when they're done.
Another secret is the chocolate. On this, I don't skimp. Those "Baker's" chocolate squares from the supermarket are the kiss of death. I like Valhrona and E. Guittard.
That leads me to my third secret: my Chef's Universal Double Boiler. I chop my chocolate and melt it very slowly in the double boiler over gently simmering water. It's too easy to overheat chocolate in the microwave, and too easy to scorch it over a direct flame. The double boiler is the only way to go.
Chef's Univeral Double Boiler, at a glance.
• 18/10 Stainless Steel
• Fits over most saucepans
• Dishwasher safe
The Good
A double-boiler isn't a "must have" for every kitchen, but if you love to cook, it's a worthwhile investment. Anything that must be heated very gently will fare better in a double boiler than a saucepan. I mentioned chocolate, but every batch of creme brulee I make starts in my double boiler. I have used it for ice cream bases and a variety of sauces, too.
Some cookware sets come with a double boiler, but it's usually designed to fit into exactly one saucepan. The "universal" design of this double boiler allows you to fit it into pretty much any saucepan you own.
You could set a bowl over a saucepan much the same way, but it's not as safe or stable. The universal double boiler has a handle, which makes stirring or lifting it off the saucepan safer and easier, and a small loop on the opposite side for added fit and stability.
It make me laugh. If you turn it upside down, it's shaped a lot like Darth Vader's head.
Washing this product is a breeze. It's dishwasher safe, but I'm not sure I've ever put mine in the dishwasher. Since it's not in direct contact with a heat source, I've never had anything burn on to it or stick. Melted chocolate or custards come off easily with a warm, soapy sponge.
It's durable. Hell, it's nothing but stainless steel. Mine is about seven years old and looks brand new.
The Bad
I have two complaints about this product:
1. it's a little too deep. Although it technically fits into all but the smallest of my saucepans, it's so deep that I always have to double-check to make sure that the bottom of the double boiler is not in direct contact with the simmering water beneath it.
2. It doesn't "sit" in the cabinet; it flops on its side. This makes it a little awkward to store unless you nest it with your saucepans. I don't like to do this because the saucepans get used every day, but the double boiler comes out maybe once a month.
Final Thoughts
This is a simple, inexpensive, easy-to-clean product that does exactly what it's supposed to do. It's not something you'll use everyday, but recipes that require gentle melting or heating will turn out far better with a double boiler than without one.
Five stars.
Melissa's Brownie Recipe
Hah! It's my one great secret, and I'm keeping it.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 15
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prfstars
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Location: The Burbs
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