Double Boilers, Pasta Pots & Steamer Sets

19 products

Double boilers, pasta cookers and steamer sets

This collection covers the multi-piece pots that cook with water and steam: double boiler sets for chocolate, custards and delicate sauces, pasta cooker sets with perforated inserts, steamer and fryer sets, and replacement pasta baskets. Brands include Browne Thermalloy, SignatureWares, Vollrath Wear-Ever, Rabco, Le Creuset, Pronto and Imperial.

Sizes run from small pasta inserts up to 20 qt sets for volume kitchens. Browse the rest of the cookware range on the Pots & Pans page.

Types of double boilers and pasta pots

  • Double boiler sets: three-piece stainless sets (pot, insert, cover) from SignatureWares and Browne in roughly 9 to 20 qt for melting and holding delicate mixtures.
  • Pasta cooker sets: a stock pot with one or more perforated inserts, such as the Browne Thermalloy set with four inserts or Vollrath's 5-piece pasta and vegetable cooker.
  • Steamer and fryer sets: Vollrath Wear-Ever 3-piece steamer/boiler/fryer set for steaming vegetables and seafood or blanching in one pot.
  • Pasta inserts and baskets: replacement and single-portion baskets from Browne, Vollrath, Pronto and Imperial for portioning pasta to order.
  • Stockpot with pasta insert: Le Creuset stainless stockpot and insert for smaller batches.

What to consider when choosing double boilers and pasta pots

  • Material: stainless steel resists staining and works on induction; aluminum sets are lighter and heat quickly on gas.
  • Insert count: one large insert suits batch pasta; several smaller inserts let you cook different shapes or portions at the same time.
  • Capacity: size the outer pot so the insert sits in enough boiling water to keep temperature up between batches.
  • Insert fit: inserts and baskets are sized to specific pots; check the matching quart size before ordering a replacement.
  • Double boiler clearance: the insert should sit above, not in, the simmering water to avoid scorching chocolate or custard.

Frequently asked questions

What's in a double boiler set?

Most commercial sets have three pieces: the bottom pot, the insert that sits above the water, and a cover.

How much water goes in a double boiler?

Only a few inches. The insert should sit above the simmering water so steam does the heating.

Can I buy pasta inserts separately?

Yes. Replacement inserts and single-portion baskets are listed here; match the insert to your pot's capacity.

Which sets work on induction?

Stainless steel sets are the usual choice for induction. Aluminum sets won't work on induction cooktops.

Prefer to talk it through? Find a Russell Hendrix representative.