Why did people in the 80s prick their eggs before boiling them?

[PuffyFluffin]

I was talking to DH and he reminded me about eggs prickers people used to have. I'd completely forgotten about them, but we always had to prick the base of the egg or it would apparently crack while it was boiling. Hilariously, I grew up on another continent and it was also a thing there, so clearly was of vital importance!

Why don't we need to do this anymore? Have eggs changed?

I don't do that, but if I spill salt I have to throw it over my left shoulder to "get" the witches...

I dont think you need to prick the egg if it is starting in cold water, only if you are putting it straight into boiling

If you have access to one a lancet is the perfect length for pricking eggs.

DH is the egg eater in our house. Weekend mornings mean a soft boiled egg for him and we both prick the egg.

I remember these. My grandma used one but not my mum. Never bothered myself. I just avoid pouring the boiling water directly on the eggs and I don't refrigerate them so they rarely crack

I'm thinking it was a bit of a con, but presumably the egg-pricker salesman made a bloody fortune! My eggs go straight from the fridge to the boiling water...un-pricked. (Those swanky eggs cookers the pp have might be different though).

Changing the subject slightly. I work for the Co op and we currently have a VERY aggrevating advert on the I store radio for eggs.. "Hello its me a free range egg.. I know what you are thinking...Why aren't I brown?" No I'm wondering why a bloody egg is talking!!!

I have never used one of those things. You just put the eggs in tepid water instead of hot. They don't crack.

Never heard of this snd o cooked eggs through the 80s

Oooh... that's made me wonder whether different coloured eggs have different pricking requirements 😁. Duck eggs are green, I wonder if that makes a difference?

And sausages! God I'd forgotten that

For all the people who put their eggs in cold or tepid water, how do you know how long to cook them for? I time it from when I drop them into the boiling water. I think I've just worked out why people buy swanky egg boiling machines

I'm with the others, put in cold water, bring to the boil, boil for 3 mins and the perfect runny egg for soldiers.

No pricks needed.

I do crack eggs every so often when boiling them, even though I take them out of the cupboard. Probably 1/10 eggs? I had never thought about pricking them but I think you're right now I think of it. I had forgotten that.

My mum used to put vinegar in the water to stop the egg white coming out too far. It made the kitchen smell of feet, and it didn't have any effect that I can tell.

Mine are pricked with a pin from the sewing drawer, not with some fancy shop-bought pricking gadget. Honestly, you’ll be telling me you wear a shop-bought apron next and not the one you made in your first domestic science lesson.

(Coming from a dirt poor make-do-and-mend household I was in awe of households with shop-bought stuff - cakes, school uniforms, towelling things to change under at the beach. The concept of a shop-bought egg pricker will keep me entertained for quite some weeks).

I put my failsafe method on the first page x

Apologies, I should have specified hard-boiled

I've got an egg pricker, it's old. It's red plastic.

I've recently started pricking eggs again as it makes them much easier to peel.

I cut crosses in the stalks of brussel sprouts , but that;s to let Satan out ( everyone does that don't they ?)

I did this for about 30 years but gave it up a couple of years ago and it makes no difference!

There's no mystery to hard boiled, just chuck them into water straight from the tap, let them boil until you remember you put them on to boil some considerable time ago, chill them quickly in cold water, peel and stuff into face.

Soft boilers? Next thing to witchcraft, I tell you. No idea how to get those fuckers right.

Is this true? I'm dreadful at peeling them... I may have to invest in an egg pricker if this is genuine!
@olderbutwiser I don't think I'd do well with a sewing needle...and I definitely wouldn't wish to ever wear any of the awful things I made at school

@ClaudiaWinklepanda nooo...if you leave them too long they're tough and/or rubbery!

Yes, that is for hard boiled. Bring to boil from cold ( good rolling boil) Turn heat off but leave on the hob. 16 mins then straight into cold water. Perfect every time!

I thought it was vinegar that stops it all coming out. It's what I add anyway. I think i might have to do a trial 🤔