Best way to melt chocolate?

Stephb1986_2

Hi all ive bought 3 bars of green and blacks chocolate and a love heart ice cube tray hoping to melt the chocolate and make love heart chocolates

i need to know the best way of melting the chocolate without it getting white bits in?

any advice appreciated

Steph xxx

wishiwasarichgirl

the way I've always known to melt choc is to put it in a glass bowl, then place the bowl in a pan of hot water (don't get the water into the choc) and stir it around till its melted. Quickest if you break the choc up into small bits first

I'm sure you can do it in a microwave too but never tried.

DaveAshton

Yep, Wishi's is pretty much the best way, in a bowl above boiling water. Also possibly in a saucepan over a hotplate, but I'm not sure if it'd burn or not...

Maybe buy some really cheap chocolate (tesco's own, or similar) and try a few techniques with that first, to see what works best.

SE

Gingernutmeg

You can microwave chocolate, but go really carefully - like 15 second blasts on medium, then check. It's so easy to overcook chocolate in a microwave and once it's 'split' you can't get it back. Also, don't 'beat' the chocolate, stir it gently so you don't get air in it. Personally I prefer to melt it over a pan of water, but be careful here - don't get any water or stream in it!

The white bit is the cocoa butter separating out - it usually happens with older chocolate, or if you keep it in too cold a place. You'll probably be ok if you melt it carefully and it's fresh

Jem8472

Yes I think the best way is to have it in a bowl above hot water (not boiling)
and melt it. Make sure you dont get any water in the chocolate. Make sure you keep the heat on lowish. Dont want to burn the chocolate. When it starts to melt keep stirring it.

I am not sure what causes white bits but I think it happens if you cool the chocolate quickly. Like in the fridge. I have never had it happen.

If you just melt the chocolate and then pour it into the molds then it will set ok but it wont be like the chocolate you melted.

JellyTot_2

Would never do it any other way than in a bowl over a saucepan of hot water. I have tried the microwave technique a few times but it's so easy to burn that way and also annoying to have to contantly check it, take it out and stir it again.
You have a loveheart ice cube tray? That's amazing! Where is it from?
Good luck

Stephb1986_2

Hi thanks for all the suggestions i'll do it over a pan tomorrow

I got the icecube tray from tesco i think it was either £1 or £1.99

hth

Steph xxx