Water Baths, Warming Containers, and Devices

If a cake is being baked in a pan with a removable bottom or a springform pan, instead of using aluminum foil to keep the pan watertight, it works better to set the pan in a slightly larger silicone pan before placing it in the water bath.

There are many times when you need to heat something very gently over indirect rather than direct heat. If you do not own a double boiler, or if the double boiler is too small, use a saucepan or pot slightly smaller in diameter than the mixing bowl. Fill the saucepan with a few inches of hot or simmering water and place the bowl on top of the saucepan. In most cases you will not want the bottom of the bowl to touch the water. Stir or fold the mixture continuously while heating.