From chocolate drizzled strawberries to ganache coated cookies, melted chocolate bars has the magic power to make anything even more delicious. Follow the specialized instructions in the ultimate guide to melt chocolate in the microwave and in under two minutes you will have liquid goodness to add to your favorite recipes.
Begin by chopped chocolate bars into small evenly sized pieces. Place in a glass or ceramic bowl, set the microwave to medium power and nuke for 15 seconds intervals. Stir between each interval and use a thermometer to verify the temperature with the melting point of the chocolate.
For each type of chocolate bar, you need to be aware not to exceed certain temperature. The general melting point for dark chocolate is between 114 to 118 degrees Fahrenheit, and the melting point for milk chocolate and white chocolate commonly ranges between 100 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you melt chocolate in a plastic bowl?
When you are melting chocolate in the microwave, choosing the a heatproof dish is a priority. So, what type of bowls are safe to use in a microwave?
Avoid using plastic bowls even if it is labeled microwave-safe, plastic can retain moisture and make the chocolate crystalize or seize. Instead, use a clean and dry microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl to melt chocolate.
Not only that, but with high heat the plastic bowl could melt and potentially release harmful chemicals into the chocolate.
How to melt chocolate without splitting
The reason why the melted chocolate starts splitting is that water or steam come into contact with the melted chocolate. So, it’s best to avoid covering the bowl with lid and be sure to use a dry spoon to stir.
If you see your chocolate start splitting or becoming grainy, stir in a spoonful of vegetable oil instead of using the butter. Butter contains a small percentage of water, therefore the pure oil is needed to pull the chocolate back together.
The most important part of melting chocolate bars without splitting in the microwave is chocolate chunks may be too large. When chocolate bars aren’t chopped into fine pieces, they tend to take longer to melt which requires more cooking time and heat that can cause splitting.
How do you melt a bar of chocolate in the microwave?
When you are trying to melt a chocolate bar, it’s best to understand how much you need to melt and break it up into smaller pieces. Use a knife to cut, shave or grate it with a box grater.
In addition, you may use a food processor to chop the chocolate. Use caution and move swiftly because as the machine spins, it generates friction that will heat up the kitchen appliance and start to melt the chocolate pieces.
Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl made of glass, ceramic, or plastic.
Microwave the chocolate bar pieces on a medium heat setting for 15 seconds at a time. Stir the chocolate and microwave it again for 10-15 seconds if needed.
Things to know before melting chocolate bars in the microwave
Whether you are using Hershey’s, Ghirardelli’s or any other brand of chocolate bar, you may encounter slightly different variables to melt the chocolate bars in the microwave. Read through the specific instructions and execute according to the type of chocolate you are working with.
Here are the essentials things to know before melting chocolate bars in the microwave:
- If uncertain, check the bottom of the dish to look for a microwave-safe symbol.
- Avoid using bowls that are not labeled as microwave-safe because the chocolate can scorch or the dish can break or melt. Choose a ceramic or glass bowl to melt, it insulates the chocolate better and prevents uneven scorching.
- Do not microwave the chocolate for longer than 15 seconds at a time otherwise it will scorch.
- Set the microwave to 50% power. If the chocolate doesn’t melted at all after 30 seconds, then increase the power to high and shorten the time to 10 seconds.
- When stirring, use heat-proof rubber spatula instead of wooden spoon. Wooden spoons are porous and may retain bad odors or flavors that can be passed to the chocolate.
Chop the chocolate bar into small pieces that are uniform in size and shape. Place in a heatproof bowl, adjust the microwave at 50% power setting, nuke for 15 second intervals and stir. Repeat the time and temperature until you reach the desired consistency.
Melting chocolate bars in the microwave is the best way to easily get the job done quickly. Fondue desserts, glazes and chocolate candy can be completed in minutes by using the microwave to melt chocolate bars.
