Steaming has been known since antiquity. In oriental cuisine, there are a number of recipes designed specifically for this technology. We also used a double boiler to prepare meals for children and diet food. Adherents of healthy food choose steamers, because products can be cooked without the use of fat, they retain the maximum possible amount of vitamins during heat treatment, and also do not lose their shape, color, or aroma.
Instruction manual
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Choosing a double boiler, first of all it is worth paying attention to how much free space is in your kitchen. There are the simplest double boilers, similar to a colander, which are installed in a pot with water, there are also metal folding double boilers that are placed on the bottom of the pan and open according to the principle of flower petals. It is convenient to cook vegetables on them, but they are also suitable for fish or meat. Their advantage is that they do not take up space at all - because you can store them in drawers for dishes. If you plan to use a double boiler occasionally and you have a tiny kitchen, such double boiler is an obvious choice. It is worth remembering that this way you can cook relatively small servings of food and not more than one dish at a time.
2
In slightly larger kitchens, you can use electric double boiler. They come in all kinds of sizes and with a different number of tiers. In a multi-tiered double boiler, up to 3-4 dishes are cooked simultaneously. Choose a double boiler with a timer to avoid the need to constantly monitor the dish. If there is no function in the double boiler that signals you that the water has boiled off, take a double boiler with a transparent compartment for liquid, so that you can easily monitor its level. Note that in addition to the amount of water from which steam is generated, you will also have to monitor the condensate that has formed, which must be drained on time. Expensive steamers are equipped with a system that gives a signal about this. Very expensive steamers independently carry out both adding water and condensate drain.
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If you intend to use a double boiler often, it is best to purchase a model with an electronic display. It will allow you to choose the type of food that you cook, configure the function "Delayed Start". A useful option in many modern double boiler “Keep warm”, it stops cooking, but maintains its temperature. Also important is the presence of the accelerated heating function, which may also be called "Fast Steam", "Steam Booster", etc. It uses a separate trough for a small amount of water, which boils and delivers steam much earlier than the rest of the liquid boils. There are double boiler with a special compartment for spices - if you like to experiment with tastes, then you should pay attention to them.
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Water and condensate tanks need to be cleaned from time to time. In order not to follow this on your own, and therefore not to risk losing a moment and breaking the appliance, choose a double boiler, either signaling this to you, or cleaning automatically.
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When choosing an electric double boiler, find out how much energy this or that model consumes to cook solid food, and how long it will prepare, for example, a certain amount of frozen vegetables.
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Ask what set of optional accessories is included with the double boiler. These can be rice bowls, egg cookers, containers for cooking whole foods and side dishes. In high-tech steamers, which are able to independently determine the right time for cooking a particular piece of meat or fish and turn off the heat when ready, there is a special probe. It is with the help of it that the “smart” device “solves” all these issues.
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The steamer bowls can be made of transparent and opaque plastic or stainless steel. The latter are more practical and durable, but are convenient only in those units that are equipped with automatic systems.
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Choose a double boiler whose parts can be washed in a dishwasher if you are used to using this appliance. Pay attention to whether there is an official center for servicing household appliances of this model in your city and whether there is a guarantee for it.
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If you intend to purchase both a microwave and a double boiler in one or two tiers, pay attention to the combined models, as well as to special appliances that allow you to steam cook in some modern microwave ovens.
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If you prefer built-in kitchen appliances, then do not forget that there are also double boilers that can be built into both a glass-ceramic hob and furniture cabinets.
eleven
For lovers of multifunctional appliances there are multicookers. They can not only steam, but also fry, bake and even bake on the grill.
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Fans of Asian cuisine choose bamboo steamers. Among their advantages is that they do not take up much space and are a traditional adaptation from natural materials. But they also have a number of significant drawbacks. Firstly, bamboo absorbs not only condensing moisture, but also partially the aroma and taste of the product. Secondly, it is very difficult to wash such a double boiler, it must be done only by hand and with a mild soap. When cooking in a bamboo double boiler, it is very important to put fresh leaves or parchment paper on its bottom. This will help to separate one product from another, if you are cooking in a multi-tiered double boiler, and will simplify its cleaning.
note
“What a horror, ” you will think, when you start laying out pallets, a lid, a container for making cereals, the bottom where fat flows. After that, you will immediately begin to frantically leaf through the instructions so that “no matter what” is done. Do not be afraid - we will tell you how to use a double boiler.
Useful advice
The machine will turn off automatically when the tank is empty. You ask: "How to use a double boiler so that products do not burn?" People who are interested in the question of how to use a double boiler can be shocked by the news that food must be salted in the device before serving directly.
