No double boiler :( Melting chocolate?

[Darsa]

So I don't have a double boiler and can't afford to buy one. Can anyone tell me a tried-and-true method of melting chocolate WITHOUT the double boiler? Microwaved last time, ended up scorching the chocolate, what a nasty mess that was!

If it matters, I'm looking to make up some Peppermint Bark

And thanks in advance!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Do you have any glass or metal mixing bowls that can be warmed up?

Take a glass bowl like pyrex and put it on top of a pot of boiling water. Constantly stir the chocolate in the bowl while the water below boils at an even temperature but not over boiling.

If you choose to melt chocolate in the microwave add a touch of canola oil first to keep it moist.

 

[jsmith]

Make your own double boiler-start a pot of water gently simmering-put the chocolate in a bowl that will either 1) sit over the top of the pot-or 2) sit down inside it-put the chocolate in and stir til its melted. if your immersing the bowl in the water lower the temp to just barely simmering and watch it closely. Ive never owed a double boiler-always metal chocolate in a bowl over simmering water.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I must admit that I ALWAYS melt chocolate in the microwave. I make sure that I use a glass measuring cup and heat 30 seconds (or 1 minute if there is more than 1 c. of chocolate). I then take it out and stir for 30 seconds. I put it back in and heat for 30 seconds, and then stir again for 30 seconds. Repeat until melted. Using this system, I've never scorched the chocolate.

 

[DMickey28]

I agree ... make your own double broiler if you can ... A glass bowl works well over a pot of simmering water. OR (I always microwave chocolate) use a small glass bowl and heat on 7 power for 30 seconds at a time stirring in between for a few seconds.

Good Luck.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I must admit that I ALWAYS melt chocolate in the microwave. I make sure that I use a glass measuring cup and heat 30 seconds (or 1 minute if there is more than 1 c. of chocolate). I then take it out and stir for 30 seconds. I put it back in and heat for 30 seconds, and then stir again for 30 seconds. Repeat until melted. Using this system, I've never scorched the chocolate.

Me, too!

 

[mjkacmom]

I just take 2 pots the same width and make my own.

 

[mamamary]

Make your own double boiler-start a pot of water gently simmering-put the chocolate in a bowl that will either 1) sit over the top of the pot-or 2) sit down inside it-put the chocolate in and stir til its melted. if your immersing the bowl in the water lower the temp to just barely simmering and watch it closely. Ive never owed a double boiler-always metal chocolate in a bowl over simmering water.

This is what I do too.

 

[Darsa]

Well that makes me feel better! I think I was under the impression that a double boiler had something special that two pots, or a pot and a bowl, didn't have And yeah, my microwaving skillz... they are lacking

Thanks!!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Well that makes me feel better! I think I was under the impression that a double boiler had something special that two pots, or a pot and a bowl, didn't have And yeah, my microwaving skillz... they are lacking

Thanks!!

If you microwave chocolate, constantly stir it and warm it. Don't wait for it to melt completely and you have to melt it slowly not just a minute nuke.

 

[hiwaygal]

And if you scorch it just a little...you can add a little shortening and it will help smooth it out again!

 

[daughtersrus]

So I don't have a double boiler and can't afford to buy one. Can anyone tell me a tried-and-true method of melting chocolate WITHOUT the double boiler? Microwaved last time, ended up scorching the chocolate, what a nasty mess that was!

If it matters, I'm looking to make up some Peppermint Bark

And thanks in advance!

I always melt mine in the microwave as well. Make sure that you're using the bark intended to melt. In the past, I tried some white chocolate chips and they wouldn't melt. Instead, they became burnt clump. I called the phone # on the package and the rep told me that their chips are designed not to melt so that they stay together in cookies. Also, white chocolate has a much shorter shelf life. It will also burn/clump instead of melt if it's too old.

If you have a Meijer near you, I just picked up some of their Quick Melt bars for $0.62! The sign says 2 for $5.00 but they rang up $2.50 - $1.88 (save 75%). I'm heading there right now to pick up some more.

You can also use a smaller pot on top of the larger one with the boiling water if you don't have a glass dish. Just be sure not to get any water in the chocolate. If you do, it may not set properly when it's cooled.

 

[Angelhalo]

I must admit that I ALWAYS melt chocolate in the microwave. I make sure that I use a glass measuring cup and heat 30 seconds (or 1 minute if there is more than 1 c. of chocolate). I then take it out and stir for 30 seconds. I put it back in and heat for 30 seconds, and then stir again for 30 seconds. Repeat until melted. Using this system, I've never scorched the chocolate.

This is EXACTLY what I do. 30 seconds stir, 30 seconds stir. Comes out perfect every time.

 

[Denine]

Make your own double boiler-start a pot of water gently simmering-put the chocolate in a bowl that will either 1) sit over the top of the pot-or 2) sit down inside it-put the chocolate in and stir til its melted. if your immersing the bowl in the water lower the temp to just barely simmering and watch it closely. Ive never owed a double boiler-always metal chocolate in a bowl over simmering water.

Exactly how I do it.

 

[C.Ann]

I just take 2 pots the same width and make my own.

Same here.. Have been doing it for years..

 

[paintnolish]

If you microwave chocolate, constantly stir it and warm it. Don't wait for it to melt completely and you have to melt it slowly not just a minute nuke.

Yep, just do seconds at a time (depending on how much chocolate you have), stir, repeat. I always nuke mine, too. With white choc, the chips still hold their shape, but once you start stirring, you'll find they are melty.

 

[Disney Ella]

I always melt mine in the microwave as well. Make sure that you're using the bark intended to melt. In the past, I tried some white chocolate chips and they wouldn't melt. Instead, they became burnt clump. I called the phone # on the package and the rep told me that their chips are designed not to melt so that they stay together in cookies. Also, white chocolate has a much shorter shelf life. It will also burn/clump instead of melt if it's too old.

I'm glad you mentioned that! I made peppermint bark using the recipe a Diser provided and the white chocolate chips just wouldn't melt enough. I still used them and sort of smeared them over the chocolate layer, but I wasn't sure what I did wrong. (I'm not a veteran chocolate melter, obviously.)

 

[tikilyn]

Has anyone ever used a crockpot to melt chocolate? I'm thinking about using the crockpot because I have to make a ton of oreo truffles and it's going to take a lot of melted chocolate. It would also be easier if I can use my kitchen table for all the prep work and making of the truffles because I don't have alot of counter space.