How do I stop my boiled eggs cracking?

runswithascript · 28-12-2008 01:13PM #1

Hi, the past few months when I put boiled eggs from the press into the water they crack half the time. I know this has got something to do with the difference in temperature so I've tried submersing them very slowly but it doesn't make much difference.

How do you eat yours?!

seanybiker · 28-12-2008 01:14PM

put em in before the water is to hot.

runswithascript · 28-12-2008 01:23PM

but it's supposed to be 3 minutes at boiling?

georgem25 · 28-12-2008 01:25PM

Eggs should be at room temperature

Faith · 28-12-2008 01:31PM

Put them in cold water, bring to the boil, and then keep them boiling for 3 minutes. Think that's how you do it anyway. Don't put them straight into boiling water.

redtom · 28-12-2008 01:49PM

Isn't this the one where you're supposed to throw a lit match into the water to prevent the eggs cracking, or was that always just a load of old cobblers...

staker · 28-12-2008 01:53PM

add in 2-3 dashes of vinegar to the water and your eggs won't crack- works for me anyways!

Alun · 28-12-2008 01:54PM

I have a little gadget that pricks a tiny hole in the end of the egg (non-pointy end!) where the air sac is. Plonk egg in boiling water, cook, no problem.

The problem I'd have with the "put it in cold water and bring to the boil" method is that the amount of time to bring it all to the boil would be variable, depending on the size of the pan and how much water was in it (related to the number of eggs), which would make timing a bit tricky I'd have thought.

GHOST MGG2 · 28-12-2008 02:03PM

add 2 teaspoons of vinegar to cold water..place eggs in water..bring the water up to just about boiling point..turn down heat to a simmer..time 3 minutes..take out the eggs..and scoff em!

tSubh Dearg · 28-12-2008 02:04PM

Alun wrote: »

I have a little gadget that pricks a tiny hole in the end of the egg (non-pointy end!) where the air sac is. Plonk egg in boiling water, cook, no problem.

The problem I'd have with the "put it in cold water and bring to the boil" method is that the amount of time to bring it all to the boil would be variable, depending on the size of the pan and how much water was in it (related to the number of eggs), which would make timing a bit tricky I'd have thought.

+1 the device that pricks a hole in the egg is the best thing ever to prevent cracking. It is known as a Klumpa Dumpa. (Or maybe that's just in my family, but it's a good name for it and I think you should all adopt it.)

Planet X · 28-12-2008 03:19PM

Again, put a tiny hole in the flat end. Special Gadget? Use a pin or a needle.

But it works.

noby · 05-01-2009 09:55AM

Can't say I've ever had an issue with cracking - from a spoon into boiling water as quick as you like. Sometimes straight from the fridge.

Incidentally, my method: into boiling water for a minute simmering, then off the heat, lid on and start timing; 6-7 minutes depending on how you like them.

Hrududu · 05-01-2009 06:03PM

I used to get this problem all the time. I was taking eggs straight from the fridge and putting them straight into the boiling water. My solution was to put the egg onto a big slotted spoon and hold it under the hot water tap for about 15-20 seconds before putting it into the boiling water. I've never had an egg crack since.

_blank_ · 06-01-2009 05:03PM

+1 for vinegar.

Mr Magnolia · 07-01-2009 08:16AM

Faith wrote: »

Put them in cold water, bring to the boil, and then keep them boiling for 3 minutes. Think that's how you do it anyway. Don't put them straight into boiling water.

Exactly how I boil them. I also add a little salt.

runswithascript · 07-01-2009 01:48PM

Thanks for all the input, lots to go on!

Well I had another crack this morning, thought I'd chance my arm putting an egg into water brought from a half boiled kettle.

So now I have cold water boiling in the pot with an egg already in it. I'll definitely try piercing the egg with a pin tomorrow, and also the vinegar method but will the latter work if you put the vinegar into warm water or does it have to be added to cold, in which case it takes just as long?

Honey-ec · 07-01-2009 10:43PM

TBH, I would never keep eggs in the fridge anyway. They're far better kept at room temperature.

cozmik · 07-01-2009 10:51PM

Honey-ec wrote: »

TBH, I would never keep eggs in the fridge anyway. They're far better kept at room temperature.

How about storing them in mud?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_egg

Honey-ec · 07-01-2009 11:27PM

cozmik wrote: »

How about storing them in mud?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_egg

Mmm, sounds delicious!

far2gud · 08-01-2009 09:06AM

Try putting a copper coin in the pot while boiling, dunno how it works but it stops the cracking.

seanybiker · 08-01-2009 09:11AM

Piercing the egg? Id say that would look class. Draw a little goatee on it then.

thereseb81 · 09-01-2009 08:25PM

Lads, it's this simple. Don't put eggs straight from the fridge into hot water. Of course they're going to crack. Most chefs recommend that you store your eggs at rooms temp anyway ie: not in the fridge. If you do want to keep your eggs in the fridge, make sure you take them out at least 30mins before using them for boiling, poaching etc. so that they can get up to temp. Promise you this'll stop your eggs from cracking!

runswithascript · 09-01-2009 11:25PM

thereseb81 wrote: »

Lads, it's this simple. Don't put eggs straight from the fridge into hot water. Of course they're going to crack. Most chefs recommend that you store your eggs at rooms temp anyway ie: not in the fridge. If you do want to keep your eggs in the fridge, make sure you take them out at least 30mins before using them for boiling, poaching etc. so that they can get up to temp. Promise you this'll stop your eggs from cracking!

I do have them at room temperature when I put them in the boiling water but they still crack. Seems to only happen in the winter, possibly because I don't heat the kitchen over night!

I found the best method is to put a single hole in either end of the egg with a safety pin before placing them directly in boiling water, then to cover and continue boiling for about 3 minutes.

When you put the egg in first you can see loads of air bubbles rushing out the whole so this must be what causes the eggs to crack. Now if only someone sciencey could explain to us what's happening with those bubbles, where do they come from and where are they going?! :P

How do I stop my boiled eggs cracking?

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