A bain-marie (also known as a double boiler or a water bath) is a type of a heated bath. It is used when you need to heat materials in a gentle way and should not overheat them. Double boiler also helps to keep heated materials warm for a long period of time without over burning it.

Water bath is often used in cooking, for example melting butter, chocolate, thickening custard and sauces. You can also use water bath for baking when extra moisture and even temperatures are needed.

It is also used when making soaps or melting butters for homemade cosmetic and beauty products. You can also

Bain-marie will help you to speed up making herbal infused healing oils like calendula, mugwort and others. You can use those oils to prepare herbal salve, creams, toners and healing balms.

You can prepare infused oils with cold method, but it will take you anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. With a help of double boiler you can speed up the infusion process to just 1-2 hours

Bain-maire or double boiler comes in variety and shapes. There are very sophisticated ones that you can buy; however, you can easily make one at home with just 2 different size pots.

Step 1: Materials:

1 large pot

1 small pot

Water

Stove

Step 2: Procedure:

Turn stove on to high

Place large pot on the stove Add ½ cup of water (it does not matter hot or cold) Place a smaller pot inside large pot Smaller pot should sink into the water in large pot. Water should be about half or ¾ to the top of smaller pot You can start melting your ingredients right away stirring them constantly As soon as water starts boiling, turn heat down to low and let water simmer. The water should be hot just enough to melt whatever you are melting If you are making herb infused oils, then leave water simmering on the lowest lever possible Stir your material constantly