Double Boiler

Grab this ingenious Farberware 50057 Classic Stainless Steel Double Boiler and Saucepan with Lid 2-Quart cookware combo that pulls double duty on the stovetop as either a saucepan or a double boiler. Pop in the boiler insert to melt chocolate or gently cook custards. Without the insert, the saucepan and lid are great for everyday recipes like wild rice or minestrone soup. A full cap base featuring a thick aluminum core surrounded by stainless steel provides rapid, even heating on any stovetop, and the double boiler is oven safe to 350°F and conveniently dishwasher safe for quick, easy cleanup.

You want hollandaise on poached eggs and chocolate sauce on a cake, but to do it right, you'll need a double boiler. Is it worth the grief? Yes, and this convenient midsize outfit reduces the grief by quickly providing what is needed for smooth sauces, while incidentally adding an extra 2-quart pan to a kitchen's repertoire. The pieces are made of highly polished stainless steel, and have phenolic handles that stay cool, are oven safe to 350 degrees, and have metal hanging loops; the large "knob" handle on the lid is also easy to get a hold of in a hurry. The pans are also dishwasher-safe. --Richard Farr