Double Boiler Reviews

This product is excellent when used wiht the matching 4 1/2 quart sauce pot. It conducts heat extremely well and my chocolate chips melted much faster than with other double boilers.

Does not fit Calphalon Commercial Hard Anodized Collector's Edition 2 1/2-Quart Shallow Saucepan with Lid

Because I acquired much of my Calphalon cookware collection more than five years ago, I have pasta, steamer, and double boiler inserts that were made from the same hard-anodized aluminum alloy as their pots and pans. Since Calphalon now manufactures these accessories using 18/10 stainless steel, I've begun upgrading my collection. This beautiful 2-quart polished stainless steel double boiler insert is very heavy duty, has a lifetime guarantee, and it fits perfectly into my 2.5-quart Calphalon sauce pan. I place the insert in the sauce pan, which is partially filled with simmering water, to melt Callebaut chocolate for candy-making. I also use it when making Hollandaise, Béarnaise, and Béchamel sauces; and for making custard, pudding, and chocolate mousse. Calphalon also makes a 4-quart stainless steel double boiler insert that works well with their 4.5-quart sauce pan for making larger amounts of sauce or dessert recipes. I hand wash and dry this insert to keep it looking like new. I like the double handles on these Calphalon inserts much better than the one long handle on some other double boiler inserts. Someday I hope to buy a Mauviel French copper and porcelain bain-marie, but until then, I'll be very happy with this one.

This is a very useful accessory to your All-Clad set, however, it is rather poorly finished compared to the other pieces (mine has some burrs and rough edges on the bottom surface). This piece is made in China and it is my opinion that All-Clad's Chinese-made pieces are inferior to the US-made ones (I own several of each and have compared many others in stores).

Also, as with the Steamer Insert, there is some "slop" in the fit between the insert and the 3 or 4 quart sauce pan.

As one of the other reviews state, the lip that allows the pan to sit on top of the 3- or 4-quart pot creates a recess inside the pan that makes it hard to get whatever you're working on out of the pan, as it gets caught in the recess. The interior should have completely straight sides. Otherwise, it does what it's supposed to.

This is a wonderful double boiler insert with one minor exception. The ring that keeps it from falling into the pan with the water in it catches the food/sauce and therefore is harder to clean and mix. Now having said that, I still love this pan, I just wish the inside was totally smooth. I use it to make chocolate candies/truffles and the stuff melts up perfectly. Controlling the temperature is key when melting chocolate and with stainless steel its easy. I really should own two of these pans but kitchen space is limited.

(fits the non loop 3/4 qt sauce pans perfectly, The 4qt sauce pan with loop it doesn't seat well, as the loop lifts the edge allowing steam to escape.)