Bains Marie

Bains marie are primarily used in cookery nowadays by most consumers although these appliances can also be used in certain industries and sectors in the manufacture of certain products. A bain marie that is used for cooking purposes may also be called a double boiler. It is thought that these appliances were originally used centuries ago by alchemists in their experiments.

A bain marie is basically a two pot or pan system that is designed to cook a product or substance slowly and at the right temperature. Here the base pot or pan is filled with water and the top pot of pan with the ingredients to be cooked. This type of cooking can be used for slow, gentle and controlled cooking purposes. Many cooks, for example, will use a bain marie to make custards, certain types of sauces and to melt chocolate to get the best results for their needs.

Most bains marie pots are designed to be used on the cooker hob or in the oven. You can buy specially designed bains marie or you can use pots, dishes and pans that you already have at home. You might find it easier to use a specialist bain marie for your cooking needs as these may be easier to control and to handle than your own solutions.