Melting Chocolate and More with the Best Double Boiler Pots

Double boiler pots are perfect for when you need low, indirect heat. These cookware essentials are great for making delicate sauces like hollandaise, melting chocolate and preparing custards. Explore our double boiler options to find the one that's right for you.

How Does a Double Boiler Pot Work?

Double boiler pots are made up of two stackable pots that work together. Water is placed in the larger pot, which will sit directly on the stovetop. The smaller pot will fit inside of this pot. In this smaller pot, you place the chocolate, sauce or other food items. As the water reaches a simmer in the bottom pot, the smaller top pot will hover just around the water line. As a result of heating the water in the bottom pot, steam rises. This steam provides the gentle, indirect heat that helps cook specific foods.

In addition to melting chocolate and emulsifying sauces, a double boiler pot can temper eggs. This is important for making desserts like flans and soufflés.

When you use a double boiler pot, make sure you have all your essential kitchen tools on hand. Spatulas make quick work of scraping melted chocolate from the sides of the insert. Whisks help you get your egg dishes just right, and solid spoons are great for working with sauces.

While stock pots and soup pots excel at boiling water and food as is, using two pots in a double boiler creates the perfect amount of indirect heat for delicate foods.

What are the Main Features of a Double Boiler Pot?

Double boilers in our stainless steel cookware collection are a great choice. The durable design is built to last. While most stainless steel double boilers include two separate pots, explore inventive one-piece options, too. Some one-piece double boiler pots allow you to fill water through a spout at the pot's handle. A built-in water level gauge lets you monitor whether you need to add or remove water.

At Williams Sonoma, you'll also find our exclusive line of Thermo-Clad™ cookware. Thermo-Clad is made of an aluminum alloy that helps increase thermal conductivity. This ensures precise temperature control, uniform heating and no hot spots.

You'll also find double boiler inserts as part of the All-Clad cookware line. Simply place your insert into an All-Clad saucepan (D3 or D5) and you'll be melting chocolate and making sauces in no time. Look for inserts designed with long handles. These handles help you transfer the insert in and out of the pan.

Mauviel features an elegant and durable copper double boiler. Copper is known for offering optimal heat conductivity. It's also great at regulating temperature. The interior is lined with nonreactive tin that's easy to clean, while its porcelain insert won't scorch.

Finally, when it comes to caring for your cookware, make sure to read up on how to properly maintain your stainless steel or copper pots. With the right care, your double boiler pots will last many years.