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The perfect boiled egg?

19 replies

blueskyeve · 24/07/2022 22:56

I'm really struggling to cook the perfect boiled egg. I like mine soft with a bit of run right in the centre.

I've always put my eggs into into boiling water and cooked for 5 minutes. This usually produces the perfect egg, but more often than not one egg will crack.

I don't refrigerate my eggs (I know this is one reason for cracking). What am I doing wrong?

I've started to put them into cold water and then wait 2 mins after the water has boiled, but this isn't working for me. They're either over cooked or undercooked! I think I'm either missing the moment the water boils (hard to keep an eye on the exact moment!) or starting the timer too early.

Tips please?

(God, this is an extremely long post about something so boring - sorry)

OP posts:
Xmasbaby11 · 24/07/2022 22:59

I put mine into cold water and use one of those egg timers that you put in the water with it - it has lines for the different softness, ie soft .. hard.

Works perfectly with 1 egg but it needs to boil for longer with 2 eggs.

I make my dd a soft boiled egg most mornings and it's perfect.

PieonaBarm · 24/07/2022 23:05

I do 3 at a time in a small pan. Get the water to a rolling boil, put the eggs in FRIDGE COLD, 8 minutes, perfect. They don't seem to crack.

larkstar · 25/07/2022 02:47

I boil water on the kettle, put it in a pan and add a dash of cold water although TBH it's probably not needed. I prick a small hole in the shell and put them in to the pan and bring to the boil and time 3.5 mins (I always use large eggs) from when they first start bouncing around noisily in the pan - I turn the heat down to keep a rolling boil. I then pour the hot water away and put cold water in the pan. I leave for about 4 minutes then peel - I'm usually making egg sandwiches - if you leave the shell on they just continue to cook.

fallfallfall · 25/07/2022 03:04

eggs cracking is due to the calcium in the shell NOT the cooking technique or temp.

Aprilsun1 · 25/07/2022 03:34

Delia works for us everytime.

www.deliaonline.com/how-to-cook/eggs/how-to-boil-an-egg

Namechanger1002 · 25/07/2022 03:53

Aprilsun1 · 25/07/2022 03:34

I use the Delia method too. Perfect every time.

TheDuchessOfBeddington · 25/07/2022 03:57

I put in a splash of white wine vinegar in the water. That way if they do crack the white congeals straight away at the point of the crack.

CalicoAnnie · 25/07/2022 04:25

I have been cooking boiled eggs in the air fryer. About 8 mins at 140 degrees. The good thing it’s that they are very easy to peel. We have our own chickens and the very fresh eggs are hard to peel when I do them in water.

MajorCarolDanvers · 25/07/2022 05:47

Cold water.
Bring to boil.
3 minutes.

Will be just set but with a lovely runny yolk.

Sammysquiz · 25/07/2022 08:30

I bought an egg boiler! Sounds ridiculous, but actually it’s great as you just put your eggs in, adjust the water based on how runny/hard you want them, then can go off and leave it till it beeps. Saves watching over a pan, and means in the morning I can put it on & then go and get dressed etc while they cook.

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jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 25/07/2022 08:45

Cold water and once it starts to boil, you time 3 minutes 50 seconds.
Remove immediately and take the top off the egg to stop it cooking

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 25/07/2022 17:50

Eggs at room temperature.
I use an ancient small pan I only use for boiling eggs.
Boil water in kettle.
Put eggs in little pan with a generous shake of table salt.
Pour boiling water over eggs to cover.
Switch on gas under pan and bring to simmering point, turn gas down to the point where the water continues to simmer without boiling vigorously. Partially cover pan to facilitate this without the water boiling over.
Put on timer for 4 minutes.
At the end of the 4 minutes count to 30 (briskly).
Take eggs out and put in eggcups.

This is how I do soft-boiled eggs, which I like with the whites just set and the yolks partially set.

For hard-boiled, I'd go for 6.5 minutes and as soon as that's up I'd drain off the boiling water and cover the eggs with cold water so they cool quickly.

I do love eggs.

Eleusa · 25/07/2022 17:55

Boil the water first. Then gradually submerge the eggs- hold them half way in on a spoon for 10 seconds before putting them fully in. Then 4 min 30 secs for set white and runny yolk. This is with fridge cold eggs.

CrunchyCarrot · 25/07/2022 17:55

I put mine into very hot water out of the hot tap, and onto the cooker to bring to the boil. Once boiling, I turn down to a simmer and cook for 5 mins. Works for me.

newtb · 25/07/2022 17:59

Put eggs in cold water and bring to thé boil. Boil 2mins 45 secs. White set, yolk runny. Second egg carries on cooking a bit so yolk is more cooked when eaten.

5thHelena · 25/07/2022 18:00

Might be Delia I'm not sure but this method works every time :
Put egg in boiling hot water and boil for 1 minute
Take off heat and allow to sit in the hot water for 6 minutes.
Take it out and eat.
Voila!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 25/07/2022 18:12

Totally depends on the hob you're using. I have induction and I put 2 eggs on cold water on 8.5 and when they simmer then I time 3 mins. I never refrigerate eggs so room temp.

Georgyporky · 25/07/2022 19:24

So many variations .
However, very few (any?) posts mention the size of the egg !

SaintHelena · 25/07/2022 20:11

Yes, I was going to say eggs are much larger - I prefer the old size which took 4 mins.
Now bigger eggs take 6 min once added to boiling water

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