double boiler

American  

noun

1. a utensil consisting of two pots, one of which fits partway into the other: water is boiled in the lower pot to cook or warm food or melt a substance in the upper.

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double boiler British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): double saucepan.  a cooking utensil consisting of two saucepans, one fitting inside the other. The bottom saucepan contains water that, while boiling, gently heats food in the upper pan

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Etymology

Origin of double boiler

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

You can use a double boiler over low simmering water, or you can place a large cup, like a glass measuring cup, in the simmering water — either works.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2024

If you have a double boiler, set that up with water in the bottom.

From Washington Times • Nov. 1, 2023

She melted soy wax in a double boiler and added oils to create different scents: pink sugar, cucumber melon, fallen leaves, sweater weather.

From New York Times • Mar. 23, 2022

Some cooks prefer mixing the sauce in a double boiler, or a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, which is one of the methods Gill and Parla share in their book.

From Washington Post • Feb. 23, 2022

Persians have adopted that method too, except most Persians use a large kettle and a smaller pot you can stack on top, like a double boiler.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

Related Words

• bucket
• frying pan
• kettle
• pot
• saucepan
• sheet
• skillet