Product DescriptionIn professional kitchens a bain-marie is the container that holds sauces, mashed potatoes or other foods inside a larger pot of simmering water. The hot water surrounds the inner pot and cooks the contents within (or keeps them warm for service). This Catamount double-boiler is an ideal bain-marie as the inner container can sit in--rather than over --simmering water. The glass lets you see how the water is behaving in the bottom pot--whether it is too close to a boil, or whether it needs replenishing???and the looped glass handles stay cool.