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Tuesday, January 26, 2021

How to Make Instant Pot Double Boiler

 Learn how to make an Instant Pot double boiler.  Use this to melt chocolate or for delicate sauces that can't be cooked over direct heat.  The Instant Pot as double boiler method works beautifully, and you don't need to buy anything special.


I wasn't too sure about the Instant Pot initially.  I debated back and forth on getting one, but then my dad and stepmom gifted me one.  


I was a little scared of it at first.  My only experience with a pressure cooker was the huge one that I use for canning.  


I've never had a pressure cooking mishap, but I didn't want to have one either.





Then I tried a few recipes, and now I'm a believer.  My trusty Instant Pot gets used several times a week both for meal prep and for cooking.


Then I learned how to make Instant Pot double boiler, and it was a game changer.  I use a double boiler often, but I always made a makeshift one out of a pan and a bowl or a Pyrex measuring cup.


Using Instant Pot as a double boiler is so much easier and works perfectly!


How to Make Instant Pot Double Boiler


I have a rule that each kitchen item must serve more than one purpose  because I have a small kitchen.


Using my Instant Pot to make a double boiler is just one of the many, many ways I get more use out of one appliance. 


I have the Instant Pot Duo 6 quart.  It's just the right size for a family of 5.  


I use my Instant Pot for meals and for the following unconventional uses:



And now I can melt chocolate in my Instant Pot!





What is the Purpose of a Double Boiler?


You won't use a double boiler very often, but when you need it, you need it.  It's a way to heat things gently on the stove.  It's often used for chocolate, custards, and delicate sauces.  


Some foods are sensitive to heat, and they can burn easily or heat can change the texture.  A double boiler makes indirect heat that heats the food more evenly so there aren't hot spots.  


Should a Double Boiler Touch Water?


No, the water shouldn't touch the pan in a double boiler.  You want to heat with the steam and not the water.  


A water bath heats with the warm or hot water surrounding the bowl.





Can I Use My Instant Pot as a Double Boiler?


Yes, you can make Instant Pot double boiler very easily!  You'll need your Instant Pot, water, and a glass or metal bowl.


What Kind of Bowl Do You Use For a Double Boiler?


You can use a glass bowl or a metal bowl to make a double boiler.  Just make sure that it rests on top of the lower pan and doesn't touch the water.


Can I Use a Pyrex Bowl as a Double Boiler?


Yes, I use a glass Pyrex bowl for my Instant Pot double boiler.  I use the 2.5 quart bowl that measures 10 inches in diameter.


It's the largest bowl in this three piece Pyrex bowl set.  Right now, the three piece set is only slightly more than the single bowl is, but prices can change.





Can I Melt Chocolate in my Instant Pot?


Yes, you can melt chocolate in your Instant Pot.  This works very well when you learn how to make Instant Pot double boiler.


You can't place the chocolate in the liner and melt it that way.  That can cause the chocolate to burn.


What Can I Do If I Don't Have a Double Boiler?


If you don't have a double boiler, it's easy to make one.  You will need a pan and a glass or metal bowl that sits on top of the pan.


Then place 2 inches of water in the lower pan and set the bowl on top of it.  You can also use your Instant Pot as the bottom bowl.


Instant Pot Double Boiler Results


I was skeptical.  I have always used my Wilton chocolate melter to melt my chocolate because it works so well.  I like that I can turn it on and stir every few minutes rather than every 30 seconds in the microwave.


I put milk chocolate in the melting pot and white chocolate wafers in the Instant Pot double boiler.  The Instant Pot chocolate melted a few minutes earlier, and it was really creamy.





I highly recommend using chocolate wafers for melting chocolate.  Chocolate chips are too soft.  If you want to use chocolate chips, then add 2 teaspoons refined coconut oil per cup of chocolate chips.


I'll still use my Wilton pot, but now I can melt both kinds of chocolate without buying another pot.


Instant Pot Double Boiler Directions


  • Place 2 cups of water in the Instant Pot liner.  Set your metal or glass bowl on top.  Make sure that it rests on top and does not touch the water.
  • Turn on your Instant Pot on the sautee function.  Be sure to use More and not Less.
  • Add your chocolate or whatever you are melting to the bowl on top.
  • Stir occasionally while the chocolate melts.

When my chocolate was melted, I used hot pads to carefully move the bowl to my work area.  You can leave it there, but I didn't want to drop chocolate all over my Instant Pot.


You can then use the melted chocolate in one of these delicious recipes:



Now you know how to use Instant Pot as a double boiler.  What will you make?

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