A double boiler will be appreciated by people who adhere to proper nutrition and, therefore, often cook steamed dishes. Buying a double boiler will not be a problem, because there is a large assortment of these products from different manufacturers on the market. Problems may arise when using the unit. In this article we will try to answer the question of how to use a double boiler.
Device and principle of operation
The principle of operation of the double boiler is simple: at the bottom of the body, which is the main part of the apparatus, there is a heating element and a water tank, on which a basket designed for cooking is installed. During the operation of the double boiler, the liquid in the tank boils, and the steam rises and passes through the special openings in the basket to the products, as a result of which they evenly heat up.
This unit is easy to use, in addition, it is very good for health: steamed foods retain almost all vitamins and nutrients, because the cooking process does not involve the use of either oil or fat. There is a water indicator on the body of the double boiler, which gives an appropriate signal if the liquid level is insufficient and it needs to be added.
Some devices have a special tray in which all condensate is collected, which prevents liquid from entering the generator. You need to know that the number of pallets should be directly proportional to the number of bowls where food is prepared. This is necessary so that the smells do not mix, because several types of products can be cooked simultaneously in a double boiler.
Cooking containers are mainly made of plastic, because this material is impact resistant, but it can be stained with some products that are natural dyes. But sometimes materials that are resistant to staining are used. Steamers can be equipped with:
- Egg rack.
- Trays for collecting condensate.
- Tanks for liquid and bulk products.
- Recipe book.
- Instruction manual.
The efficiency of a double boiler depends on its capacity. If this indicator is 2 kW or more, then cooking will take a little time, but the consumed electricity will increase.
Units equipped with 2-3 bowls mainly operate at a power of 900–1000 W, which is quite enough for complete processing of products with minimal electricity costs.
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Steam boiler installation
Each double boiler has its own instructions for use, having studied which you can avoid injuries and learn how to use the device correctly.Important importance must be given to the installation of the device, because it depends on how the steam cooker will work:
- Installation should only be carried out on a flat and hard surface.
- The double boiler should not stand near the stove, on it or near the sink, because heat and moisture can adversely affect its work.
- The cord must be positioned so as not to touch it.
- Do not start using the unit without fluid in it.
- No need to place a double boiler on the edge of the surface.
- The double boiler should not stand close to the wall or the kitchen cabinet, because this can lead to malfunctions of the device and even damage the kitchen furniture.
Recommendations for using a double boiler
To properly prepare the steamer for work, you must follow the following tips that will make the cooking process simple and easy:
- For cooking, you need to use only purified water, which must be poured into a special compartment. Tap water can damage the appliance over time.
- In order for the liquid level to be optimal, it is necessary to navigate by the mark on the pan: water should not be above or below it. Some new models have a function that notifies you of the need to top up water, but older models do not have this feature, so you need to add water yourself after 40–45 minutes.
- You must install a condensate pan.
- After assembling the bottom of the double boiler, you can lay food in the bowl and start cooking.
- After cooking, the unit will emit a characteristic beep.
- In order not to be injured, do not touch the double boiler until the end of its operation. The cover must be removed very carefully - hot steam can burn the skin.
- While cooking meat and vegetables, meat should be placed in the lower compartment, and vegetables in the upper.
- Products at the lower level always cook faster, so you should always keep track of time.
- The time required for cooking the products may vary, so this should be monitored.
- After each use, the steam trays and the liquid containers must be washed and wiped dry.
- Do not use detergents with abrasive substances for cleaning.
- Grease must be cleaned with a brush.
Useful cooking tips in a double boiler
It's no secret that the principle of cooking different dishes can vary significantly. For the proper preparation of products, it is necessary to take into account their features:
- To make the meat juicy, it must be cooked in foil - the juice will not leak out and will remain inside the dish.
- If you cook fish in foil, then retain a delicate aroma and taste, in spices add to the taste of saturation.
- The omelet cooked in a double boiler is tender and airy. It must be cooked in a rice bowl.
- Porridge is very tasty and retain all its useful properties.
- In this unit, you can cook vegetables that retain all their beneficial properties. You can also cook vegetables for salad or as a separate dish.
- Dishes from cottage cheese are very tasty and healthy.
- You can bake a cake, but you must first wrap it with foil so that excessive moisture does not get on it.
- Food cooked in a double boiler does not require stirring or turning.
- Products in this device do not stick.
- A double boiler can store heat for 20 minutes.
What you should not cook in a double boiler
A double boiler, of course, is a very necessary item in the kitchen, but not all products can be cooked in this appliance. If you are mainly steaming, then you need to know that:
- You cannot cook pasta in this unit - they will turn out to stick together.
- It will not work to cook mushrooms - they will become stiff and lose their taste.
- Beans do not boil completely.
- No need to salt food during cooking, it’s better to do it on a plate. If you still decide to salt the dish, then you need to use more salt, because part of it, along with the condensate, will go to the pan.
In this article we tried to tell not only how to use a double boiler, but also the secrets of cooking and the rules for its installation. From all of the above, it is easy to understand that this device is very useful and necessary. Therefore, if you are still hesitant to buy or not, drop all doubts and acquire!
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