How do you melt chocolate?

Place the small pieces of chocolate into a heatproof bowl, or the top part of a double boiler, and place the uncovered bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. The bowl should be wide enough that any steam escaping from the pan will not enter the bowl. In addition, the bowl itself should not touch the water. This is because excessive heat can burn it, and any heat reaching the chocolate can adversely effect the flavor. In addition, contact with water can cause chocolate to seize up and become lumpy.

After the chocolate just begins to melt, remove the bowl from the heat and stir the chocolate to prevent it from overheating. Milk and white chocolate must be stirred frequently while melting because they contain milk solids that lump if unstirred.

Another, easier, way to melt chocolate is by using a microwave on high power, stirring the chocolate every 15 to 20 seconds.