Question on double-boiling

[dit]

Can any of you experienced cooks help with this? When you use a double boiler, do you fill the bottom pan up to the point where it touches the insert? Or do you leave air/space for the water to boil. The last time I used my double boiler (it's a rare occurence!) to make eggnog, I ended up making scrambled eggs, even though I stirred constantly.

Thanks cooks!

 

[Katie H]

When using a double-boiler, the water should never touch the bottom of the insert.

The object of double-boiling is to heat the mixture in the insert. If the water touches the insert, it would be too hot for the mixture.