While there are a few ways to melt chocolate, one thing remains the same: Burnt chocolate smells awful. And it lingers. Eew! Here are two ways to melt your chocolate safely.

In a double boiler:

1. In a saucepan, bring an inch of water to a simmer. Make certain the water stays at a simmer and not a full boil. Turn down the flame when necessary.

2. While you are waiting for the water to heat up, chop up the chocolate into ¼ inch pieces.

3. Add the chocolate to heat-safe bowl and place it over the water. Make sure it DOES NOT touch the water.

4. Stir constantly and slowly with a rubber spatula.

5. When the chocolate is almost melted, remove the bowl from the heat and continue to stir until the chocolate is smooth. The mixture retains heat so the remaining chocolate should melt. If not, place it back over the water for a bit. Just keep stirring!

In the microwave:

1. Chop up the chocolate into ¼ inch pieces.

2. Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl.

3. Put the bowl in the microwave for one minute at 50% power for dark chocolate or 30% power for milk or white chocolate.

4. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir and stir and stir some more with a rubber spatula.

5. If it is not yet melted, return the bowl to the microwave for another 30 seconds at 50% power.

6. Again remove the bowl and stir.

7. Repeat at 30 second intervals until the chocolate is smooth.

Tip: Remember only heat the chocolate until it is almost melted. It will continue to melt as you stir because chocolate melts on the inside first. And yes, there is a lot of stirring required. Every time I swear there is no way it will melt but then after a ton of stirring, it always does. Remember few things smell and taste as bad as burnt chocolate.