What is a water bath? Cooking in a water bath. How to make a water bath? All ways for home cooking

Water bath is the way cooking products, in which boiling (heating) of the liquid occurs without direct contact of the container with fire. This method it is used in the case when the temperature of the prepared solution is required, which does not exceed 100 ° C.

Basically, in a water bath, it is customary to cook some types of delicate creams for cakes, certain sauces that are served with fish and meat dishes. In addition, a water bath is used to melt or soften chocolate, honey and butter. Thus, medicinal herbal decoctions are often prepared.

There are two types of water bath, which directly depend on such indicators as the name and quantity of the products used, as well as the place of their preparation. Thus, it stands out water bath cooking And cooking in a water bath.

In this case, cooking is carried out on a stove using the so-called double pan ban-mari, which is considered the most ancient. Water is poured into the lower container of the dishes, and the product is placed in the upper one, which will be cooked on water bath.

In fact this method culinary processing is quite simple. Structurally, it looks like two larger and smaller containers that are inserted one into the other. At the same time, small dishes should be smaller in height in order to leave room for boiling water. During the boiling process, the water in the first container heats the liquid in the second. Moreover, the water in a larger bowl should not seethe - ideally, cooking in a water bath involves boiling a little over moderate heat.

The second way or cooking food in water bath is suitable for baking in the oven or heating on the stove when a slightly different design is used. Outwardly, this is a container (or containers) that are placed in a large size form, preferably on a grate, which provides the necessary circulation of water under the bottom of the inner container.

When cooking in a water bath, hot water is poured into a large container, which should reach the middle of the height of the inner mold. It is noteworthy that this whole structure can remain open at the top, but it can also be closed (for example, with foil) - it depends on the requirements of the recipe. Sometimes the water bath itself is left open, and the inner mold is covered with foil.

A large bain-marie dish is selected so that its height is more than 2/3 of the height of the inner container. Too much high form also not suitable, since its walls will not only overlap heat flows, but the water temperature may not even rise to 83 ° C, which will not allow the product to reach readiness.

For cooking in a water bath, the material from which the large form is made is also important. For example, glass is a poor conductor of heat, while thin steel is characterized by high heat dissipation. Thick cast iron, on the contrary, is able to accumulate heat. Thus, the most suitable form for cooking food in a water bath is quite thick aluminum.

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Lots of innovations in modern medicine, but herbal treatment (herbal medicine) has now gained, one might say, new life. The advantages of phytopreparations are that when processing plants, manufacturers are guided by the preservation of the entire complex active substances. So that in the future you can get an extract, infusion or decoction.

How to brew herbs? There are several ways to get an infusion:

  • Cold method: a certain amount of grass or collection must be poured with boiled water at room temperature. Next, close the lid and insist from 4 to 12 hours. Ready infusion must be filtered, and it is ready for use.
  • Hot way: fall asleep right amount raw materials in a thermos and pour boiling water (at the rate of 40 g per 500 ml). The infusion is prepared from 6 to 10 hours. After that, we filter and accept.
  • Alcohol infusion: the amount of grass or collection is poured with the same volume of 40-70% alcohol (vodka is suitable, preferably not a surrogate). This tincture should be made in a glass container. After that, close tightly, and leave to infuse in a dark place for 14 days.

How to brew herbs

The concepts of infusion and decoction are different. Infusions do not boil, but, as described above, insist. Decoctions are prepared by boiling. To do this, use enameled or glassware.

Raw materials for decoction are poured into a container, poured clean water. Then boil over low heat, the boiling time is indicated, as a rule, in the instructions for the collection or herb. Usually a tablespoon of herbs a glass of water. Bring to a boil and wait 15-20 minutes. Then the broth is filtered and added boiled water so that the volume is 200 ml.

Herbs in a water bath

For such preparation, the same dishes are used as for decoction or infusion (glass or enameled). Grass or collection is poured into a smaller container (a tablespoon per glass of water, unless other proportions are indicated) and filled with water. Place in a larger pot with boiling water. The grass container must not touch the water and the lid is closed. Cooking time (if there are no other recommendations) is 15-20 minutes. At the end, the broth is filtered and boiled water is added to 200 ml.

Now there are herbs in filter bags that can be brewed with boiling water and infused according to the instructions for them. It must be remembered that prepared decoctions and infusions can only be stored in the refrigerator, and then no more than a day. Be healthy!

Very often, when reading any recipe for cream, tender dough or cosmetic mask, we meet the expression "water bath". It would seem that everyone has known what it is since childhood, but, nevertheless, the question of how to make a water bath correctly does not lose its relevance, especially for young housewives who are just starting to learn 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 cases where:

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

In all the cases listed above, as in a number of others, it is very important to know how to make a water bath. It also has its own subtleties and rules, the knowledge of which will allow you to avoid common mistakes.

First of all, a water bath will turn out well if the dishes are chosen correctly, but these are not all the details that you should pay attention to.

  • The lower pan or bowl should be with a thick bottom and, if possible, thick walls. In this case, the boiling will not be so violent and drops of water will not fall into the mass you are preparing.
  • Be sure to cover the bottom of the bottom dish with a clean linen or cotton towel - this will make the boil even smoother, and it is this that is the key to how to make a water bath.
  • The upper dish should be of such a diameter that its bottom touches the water column, but the walls remain in the air. In this position, the effect will be maximum - the upper bowl will be processed with hot steam, and the water will practically not touch it. In advance, select 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 involves constant stirring of the mixture in the upper bowl. This helps to control all changes in consistency and not miss the moment when the bowl needs to be removed from the heat.
  • The bowl should be lowered into a large saucepan only after boiling water in it, otherwise the process of heating the prepared mixture will be disrupted, and the result may turn out to be completely different from what we would like.
  • When preparing decoctions medicinal plants you can not stir the mixture continuously, since burning will not happen here. It is better to cover it with a lid to prevent it from escaping. essential oils which are often the main active ingredients traditional medicine.
  • If the diameter of the upper pan almost coincides with the lower pan, you should worry in advance about how it can be pulled out after heating. Perhaps you should hang it above the water with a thick thread or make impromptu handles, if there are none.

These are the basic rules for not making mistakes. But even if you don't succeed the first time, don't worry. Two - three times - and you will develop the necessary skill that allows you to do everything easily and quickly.

Folk recipes are full of tips for caring for the body and skin. And many of them mention a water bath. Many are perplexed: what is this water bath? Not understanding the meaning, few people dare to try to cook a miraculous recipe.

Let's figure out what is meant by a water bath, where it is used, what is the use of it.

A water bath is a useful and really very necessary device used for heating different mixtures, products and their subsequent melting, preparation. In such a (water) bath, nothing burns, everything beneficial features perfectly preserved. It's about about two pans in which ingredients are prepared for home cosmetics, medicines.

Water bath: when is it needed?

There are the most different cases when the need for a water bath arises. Someone melts butter, honey, chocolate in this way, and someone needs this bath to make a soap base. You can cook in a water bath gentle cream for cake, sauce for meat and fish dishes. Often such a device is used to prepare healing decoctions. In a water bath, face masks, hair masks, nasal warmers (for example, honey cakes), and infusions are prepared.

Advantages of a water bath:

  • It retains all the properties of the prepared ingredients.
  • You can achieve the necessary manipulations with products: melt, heat.
  • Nothing sticks to the sides of the dishes. Products in such a bath do not burn.

It is important to note that it is in a water bath that excessive heating (overheating) of the ingredients does not occur, which is especially important for the preparation of high-quality products.

If you look carefully, it is easy to find special devices for sale. We are talking about designs that are specifically designed for ease of preparation. different products in a water bath. Not all housewives decide to buy a finished device for two reasons: firstly, any kitchen unit takes up a lot of space in the kitchen; secondly, the need for a water bath does not arise very often. That's why many people get by the old fashioned way with two pans of different diameters.

Water bath: how to make at home

Interested in how to make such a miracle bath? Everything is really simple. The main thing is to know the nuances and subtleties. Take two pans, insert the smaller one into the larger one. Pour water into a large one and heat it up. Put in a small desired products, ingredients for warming up.

It is important to take a large saucepan with a thick bottom, which will avoid a violent boil. To reduce boiling, you can lay a linen or cotton napkin on the bottom of the pan. When placing the second saucepan, make sure that its bottom just barely touches the water in the large saucepan. This is how a water bath works: ingredients placed in a small saucepan are heated by the action of hot steam rising from the water in a large saucepan.

Pay attention to the following important points:

  1. If you do not want to spoil the product being made, do not place a small saucepan in a large one until the water in it boils.
  2. You can and should use the lid to cover the second small pot.
  3. In order to avoid burns at the moment of lifting the upper saucepan from the lower one, it is worthwhile to come up with additional handles in advance.

Make a water bath at home several times, and you will definitely succeed. Experience comes with time. The main thing is to try and do. Using a water bath, you can create a variety of cosmetical tools and folk remedies.

A water bath is also called "ben-mari". It received this name due to the legend about its origin. According to legend, people used it as early as the 3rd century AD. The water bath is useful tool for the home, made from two pots different sizes. Use it for various household needs, for example, in cooking or for cosmetic procedures. In this article will be discussed how to make a water bath.

How to make a bath?

The process is actually very simple. For this, two pans are taken. It should be understood that one should be smaller and the other larger so that the smaller one can easily fit into it. The resulting double pan must be put on the stove. Water is poured into the lower pan, and the necessary ingredients are placed in the upper one. Thus, a water bath is obtained.

Basic Rules

The smaller saucepan on top must have a rounded bottom. This is necessary so that the contents do not stick to the edges and can be stirred evenly. The top pan should also be made of thick stainless material. This property will ensure that the water bath, created at home, will heat up evenly. The presence of handles also plays a significant role. If they are missing, it will be inconvenient to hold the pan and rotate it. The water must not touch the bottom of the upper container. In addition, there should be at least 4 cm of distance between them. Do not allow water to boil during the process. would be ideal light education pair. To create the desired condition, it is enough to bring water to a boil in the lower pan without installing a second one. And only then install the upper pan with the product.

Making a water bath according to a different principle

How to make a water bath in the oven? Here the design will be different. For its manufacture, two containers will be required, as in the previous case, one is smaller, the other is larger. In a large one, you need to pour hot water to the middle of the inner container. Such a bath can be left open, or it can be wrapped in foil. inner form must be closed or wrapped in a couple of layers of foil. Height larger form must be at least 2/3 of the internal height. Too high a container should not be taken, since the water temperature will not be able to reach the desired level, respectively, and the product will not be able to reach readiness. The advantage of this answer to the question of how to make a water bath is that no matter how the oven heats up, the water temperature cannot exceed 100 C.

Conclusion

This review is over, and now you know how to make a water bath. If you have never used it before, then it is safe to say that it is simply necessary to try. If you strictly follow all the above rules, then you will definitely succeed. The ability to make a water bath is useful in many situations - both when preparing food or individual ingredients, and when creating homemade cosmetics, and when steaming medicinal infusions.