Melting chocolate for baking is an exacting task, if not done
perfectly you  can end up with a burned or grainy mess and ruin
whatever you are baking.  Below are 3 methods for melting chocolate,
each can be successful in it's own  way and you need only pick a method
that works for you and get  cooking!
In The OvenChocolate can be melted in the oven quite  easily but you will need to
be very diligent about watching it. It's easy to  get caught up in your
other baking chores and not realize that you have  overheated it until
it is too late. To melt chocolate in the oven, heat the  oven to 110
degrees. Chop the chocolate and place in a dish inside the oven.  Keep
the door open and check regularly. It will take about an hour to  melt
thoroughly.
Double Boiler MethodThis tried and true  method uses two pots or a special double boiler
pot. The bottom pot has about  an inch of water in it and the top pot
is a bit smaller and rests on the  bottom pot. The water should be
heated to just below a simmer. Chop the  chocolate and put it in the
top pot. The chocolate should be stirred until  melted and you must be
very careful not to get any water mixed in with the  chocolate as this
will make it grainy.
MicrowaveUsing the  microwave to melt chocolate can be the fastest but also the
most disastrous  method as a couple of seconds of overheating can ruin
the chocolate. Chop the  chocolate and put it in a microwave safe bowl.
Heat on 50% for 1 to 4 minutes  - the amount of time needed will depend
on the amount of chocolate you are  melting so you will have to watch
the chocolate the whole time. When you see  that it is turning shiny
and before it is fully melted, remove it from the  oven and stir until
it melts fully.
About the author:
Lee Dobbins  is editor of www.online-gourmet-foods.com where you can
learn more about  gourmet food and find out more about gourmet chocolate.