When using a double boiler the one thing that can disastrously wrong is to run out of water in the boiler. If you run out of water the pan will get ruined and so will your meal. To keep from running out of water put a couple of cleaned jar lids in with the water. If the water gets low or runs out, the lids will make a rattling sound that will alert you that more water needs to be added to your double boiler.