How to make a water bath

Very often, when reading a recipe for a cream, a tender dough or a cosmetic mask, we find the expression "water bath". It would seem that everyone knows from the childhood what it is, but, nevertheless, the question of how to make a water bath correctly, does not lose relevance, especially for young housewives, only beginning to comprehend the basics of culinary art.

So, let's try to understand the intricacies of this process. The first question is when and why a water bath is needed. It is worth paying attention to this method of heating and cooking in those cases when:

• It is required to melt foods that are sensitive to high temperatures in such a way as to prevent them from sticking and sticking to the walls of the dishes. With the help of a water bath, melted chocolate, butter or a soap base for home soap making.
• It is necessary to heat up any ingredients to a relatively low temperature (50-60 °). This is often necessary in the manufacture of hair masks or face, which include natural oils - when heated they are better absorbed and have a much more noticeable effect.
• It is necessary to prepare broths or infusions of herbs without losing a large number of useful ingredients that are destroyed by boiling.
• There is a need to heat foods prone to change in structure under the influence of temperature - yolk, gelatin, etc.

In all the cases listed above, as in a number of other cases, it is very important to know how to make a water bath. Here, too, have their own subtleties and rules, knowledge of which will avoid common mistakes.

First of all, the water bath will get to the glory in the event that the dishes are chosen correctly, but this is not all the details that you should pay attention to.

• The bottom pan or bowl should be with a thick bottom and, if possible, thick walls. In this case, boiling will not be so turbulent and a drop of water will not get into the mass you are preparing.
• The bottom of the bottom dishes must be covered with a clean towel made of linen or cotton - this will make the boiling even more smooth, namely it is the key to how to make a water bath.
• The top dishes should be of such diameter that the bottom of it touches the water column, but the walls remain in the air. In this position, the effect will be maximum - the upper bowl will be treated with hot steam, and water will not touch it practically. Pick up the dishes that fit each other in diameter, and remember this "pair" - next time you will save time searching for suitable vessels.
• A water bath at home implies a constant stirring of the mixture in the upper bowl. This helps to control all the changes in consistency and not miss the moment when the bowl will need to be removed from the fire.
• Lower the bowl in a large saucepan only after boiling water in it, otherwise the process of heating the prepared mixture will be disturbed, and the result may not be what you would like.
• When preparing decoctions of medicinal plants, you can not stir the mixture continuously, as there will not be any burning. It is better to cover it with a lid to prevent the essential oils from escaping, which are often the main active ingredients of traditional medicine.
• If the diameter of the top dishes is almost the same as the bottom pan, it is worthwhile to worry about how it can be pulled out after heating. Perhaps, it is necessary to hang it over water with the help of a thick thread or to make improvised handles, if there are none.

These are the basic rules regarding how to make a water bath without allowing mistakes. But even if the first time you have something will not work - do not worry. Two - three times - and you will develop the necessary skill, allowing you to do everything easily and quickly.