Best Way To Boil Eggs?

graelwyn
graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
edited December 19 in Food and Nutrition
I seem to not be having much success at doing hard boiled eggs (blush of shame). My last lot were hard, but I couldn't get the darn shells off without taking half the white away, so obviously I have not got the technique right.

Anyone give me some basic instructions for the best hard boiled eggs? ( I put them in the fridge in their shells for later use)

Replies

  • gpstrucker
    gpstrucker Posts: 930 Member
    A few things help.

    The fresher the egg the harder it is to peel. Buy them a week in advance, or at the very least a few days.

    When you boil them, put them in the water while it is cold and bring them to a boil. Make sure you put salt in the water, this makes a huge difference.

    Boil for a minute, turn off the heat, and let them sit in the hot water for 15 minutes. This cooks them through without overcooking.

    When you peel them, peel them under cold running water.
  • buffalodaughter
    buffalodaughter Posts: 7
    Once they're done cooking transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water. Works like a charm. :)
  • JessieArt
    JessieArt Posts: 275 Member
    Here is how I cook mine:

    Put your eggs in the pan. Cover them with water. Put them on the stove on high until the water starts boiling. Set the timer for 6 minutes. When the timer goes off put a lid on the pot and turn off the burner. Set the timer for six minutes. When they are done run cold water over them.

    When you are ready to peel them, crack at both ends and run cold water over the egg. The cold water gets under the shell and makes it easier to peel.

    :tongue:
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    Usually, I let the water get to a rolling boil, and let it go at that for 10 minutes. Then I take the pot off the stove and put it under running cold water for about 3 minutes. When peeling them, I start at the tip of the egg and then crack the rest of the shell and then it usually comes off in a few pieces. I think the place where you crack it first is the important part, though. My mom told me about that, and since then, I have done it and not lost half the egg while peeling it.
  • KellyKAG
    KellyKAG Posts: 418
    Once they're done cooking transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water. Works like a charm. :)

    This
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    Once they're done cooking transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water. Works like a charm. :)

    This

    Third this. And let them sit a few days after you buy them. Cook them up 1-2 days before they expire for easiest peeling.
  • spartangirl79
    spartangirl79 Posts: 277 Member
    I saw on Pinterest, get a muffin tin, put one egg in each cup. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, immerse in cold water until cool. Apparently they will peel perfectly every time!
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    I seem to not be having much success at doing hard boiled eggs (blush of shame). My last lot were hard, but I couldn't get the darn shells off without taking half the white away, so obviously I have not got the technique right.

    Anyone give me some basic instructions for the best hard boiled eggs? ( I put them in the fridge in their shells for later use)
    Do you have an electric kettle? If you do, that's honestly the easiest way to boil eggs. Put them in the kettle with some water to cover and salt. Turn it on, when it reaches a boil and shuts off, wait 15 minutes, then peel and eat.
  • lynne_p
    lynne_p Posts: 173 Member
    I saw on Pinterest, get a muffin tin, put one egg in each cup. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, immerse in cold water until cool. Apparently they will peel perfectly every time!

    ^ I have never heard of this. I'll have to try it.
  • DarleneT22
    DarleneT22 Posts: 224 Member
    I saw on Pinterest, get a muffin tin, put one egg in each cup. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, immerse in cold water until cool. Apparently they will peel perfectly every time!

    Yes!! I do it this way now. Comes out perfect every time and so smooth! Here's the link:

    http://greetingsfromtheasylum.blogspot.com/2011/05/got-eggs.html
  • lostsanity137
    lostsanity137 Posts: 298 Member
    I used to have so many problems with boiling eggs! I'd always make a mess and still tear my eggs to pieces! I followed all the ice water directions and everything.
    Then I found a much easier way!
    I learned from Alton Brown on the Food Network an easier way.

    I get great hard cooked eggs in the oven!

    Just put them on the rack of your oven, preset to 325, and cook for 30 minutes and cool. I usually throw mine in the fridge and peel them the next morning for breakfast!

    They also make for easy devilled eggs! My favorite!

    http://www.food.com/recipe/Hard-Cooked-Eggs-in-the-Oven-Baked-Eggs-61856
  • lostsanity137
    lostsanity137 Posts: 298 Member
    I saw on Pinterest, get a muffin tin, put one egg in each cup. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, immerse in cold water until cool. Apparently they will peel perfectly every time!

    Oh, I haven't done them in a muffin tin. I put mine directly on the rack. I will have to see if it changes anything with the different temp on mine. :)
  • DarleneT22
    DarleneT22 Posts: 224 Member
    I have put them straight on the rack and in a muffin tin. Either way works great and I haven't had any eggs break in the oven.
  • soontobesam
    soontobesam Posts: 714 Member
    Eggs in the oven. I had no idea!
  • LovingLisa2012
    LovingLisa2012 Posts: 775 Member
    i agree with older eggs

    i put mine in the pot w/ cold water.. once it starts boiling, count 10 mins
    then i dunk them in ice cold water (litterly ice / water)

    when im ready to start peeling, i tap it against the counters edge, all the way around the middle, then they usually peel away in 2 chunks

    and my eggs are always yellow on the inside ( green is over cooked)
    i learned the above by watching Martha Stewart lol
  • PulchritudinousLady
    PulchritudinousLady Posts: 66 Member
    I just tried this recipe today and it worked really well. I didn't have to shell them under cold water and I only lost a bit of white on one egg due to my fingernails.

    http://greetingsfromtheasylum.blogspot.com/2011/05/got-eggs.html

    I'm going to try baking them next. I love most of Alton Brown's odd cooking miracles!
  • Silver_Star
    Silver_Star Posts: 1,351 Member
    place eggs in saucepan with tap water.


    bring to rolling boil

    switch off stove and remove saucepan from heat.

    let it sit COVERED for 15 mins.

    Peel eggs and enjoy the firm but not dry yellow yolk inside.

    i hate greyish yolks:grumble:
  • arctiknitter
    arctiknitter Posts: 119 Member
    I saw on Pinterest, get a muffin tin, put one egg in each cup. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, immerse in cold water until cool. Apparently they will peel perfectly every time!

    Hmmm...interesting. Might have to give it a try. Could combine with baking something else and save some propane, too.
  • PunkyRachel
    PunkyRachel Posts: 1,959 Member
    I just put my egg(s) in a pot of water and then boil for 20 minutes. Then replace the hot water with cold water, it makes it so easy to peel. Just tap on roll the egg on the counter then the shell practically peels off on its own.
  • jayb33z
    jayb33z Posts: 87 Member
    Dang, i just chunk mine in cold water, bring to boil, leave boiling for 15 minutes, strain, Peel, and eat. sometimes i use cold water. sometimes i don't. can't tell a difference and always taste well
  • kaila666
    kaila666 Posts: 15 Member
    Get an EGGIE! They are the best no shell taking off!!!! Love it!
  • jaharrison763
    jaharrison763 Posts: 99 Member
    I just boiled a dozen eggs tonight for Mother's Day potato salad! I started with cold water, added the eggs, brought to a rolling boil, took off the heat, covered the pan and let them sit for 45 minutes. Then I put them in cold water. Since they were fresh eggs (just bought them tonight), I had trouble shelling them, so I cracked the ends on the counter and rolled them a little to get some air in, and put them back in the water for about 10 minutes. I rolled them lightly in my hands and the shells slid right off.

    I've never heard of baking eggs with the shell on them, but I'm willing to give it a try!
  • KayteeBear
    KayteeBear Posts: 1,040 Member
    Bake them!! :) As suggested earlier in the thread. I have seen it suggested using 325 or 350 degrees with 25-30 minutes depending on the size of the eggs.

    I've done it before and love how they turned out.
  • gaia3rd
    gaia3rd Posts: 151
    Another Alton Brown fan here. His never-fail steamed egg trick: eggs at room temperature, put in a steamer basket over about an inch of water, cover and bring to a boil. Let steam for 11 minutes. Turn off, transfer eggs to an ice water bath to quick cool for 10 minutes or so, and they're perfect - easy to peel, too.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,266 Member
    place eggs in saucepan with tap water.


    bring to rolling boil

    switch off stove and remove saucepan from heat.

    let it sit COVERED for 15 mins.

    Peel eggs and enjoy the firm but not dry yellow yolk inside.

    i hate greyish yolks:grumble:
    This.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    Eggs that don't peel easily are too fresh for boiling. It doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. I always keep some in the frig for a week just to boil them.

    I put eggs in a saucepan, cover them with water, bring to a boil, simmer for 10 minutes only and just simmer, no boiling. Then I take the pan off the burner, cover, set a timer for 10 minutes and let them finish cooking. When the timer goes off (and this is important if you don't want green eggs!) ,drain and run cold water over the eggs until cool enough to peel. It always works. Then I peel them all under running water and store in the frig. I use them for everything and if I don't use the yolks, I give them to my cat. She loves them!

    Also, to test the age of your eggs, put them in water. If they stay on the bottom, they are very fresh. If they til upwards, they are still fresh enough to use. If they float above the bottom of your container, throw them out! Over time, air gets inside the egg shell and the older they get, the more they float.
  • ktbia
    ktbia Posts: 118 Member
    So many different ways to do this.

    I have baked before but I thought they tasted different. might have been a mental thing.

    Cooks magazine suggests this:
    eggs in pan, cover with cold water so the water is 1 inch above.
    bring to a boil.
    remove from heat, cover, sit for 10 minutes.
    then dunk in ice bath for 5 minutes.

    i did this the other day and they are perfect, no green yolks!
  • missprincessjenny
    missprincessjenny Posts: 104 Member
    My eggs crack when I boil them. I found out by putting less eggs in the pot they don't do that. I also let the eggs warm up to room temperature before cooking. I boil them for 10-15 min and put in cold water. I find some brands of eggs peel easier than others. I buy the carton that I know peels easily.
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