How to cook a boiled egg???

[SPARKLER1]

Everytime I cook a boiled egg the shell cracks within a couple of seconds of putting it in the hot water?? End up with a poached egg!! Anyone know why or can give me a few tips to avoid this happening?

Warm the water up with the egg in there, and then time from when the water boils. Ta daa!

Is the egg cold i.e straight out of the fridge? if so then let it get to room temp. Listen to me I sound as though I'm domesticated!!

Put a t/spoon of salt in the water at the very start - and if poss, leave your eggs out of the fridge an hour or so prior to cooking, so the shells get to room temp

I used to keep my eggs in the fridge until a few months ago as I thought that may have been the problem. They are room temperature and I place them into boiling water.

You can tell I'm a really good cook eh? Can't even cook a boiled egg!!

Get an electric egg boiler!!! I have had one for years, take the eggs straight from fridge - no cracking and no messing about with timers as it automatically works it out for you.

I second adding salt to the water.

My mum used to light a match, let it burn for a few seconds and then throw it in the water which apparently works (never tried it myself). Other thing I saw her doing was putting vinegar in the pan.

Nice idea Merlin but I could see me using that a couple of times and then it will get chucked in the cupboard with the other gadgets I had good intentions to use!!

No Sparkler you wouldn't honestly - I have loads of kitchen gadgety type things lurking in at the back of my cupboards, but the egg boiler is just brilliant. Measure out the right amount of water, pour in, switch on and then leave it until it buzzes - what could be easier!!!!!! (and I don't have shares in the company!)

According to Delia, you should put a hole in the shell with a pin at the end where the air is... (bottom?) Stops the pressure building up

Even though I say it myself, the one thing I can do is boiled eggs.

Don't bother with pins, or anything, and fine whether you keep them in the fridge or not and I never have cracked shells.

Frieda's Infallible Method for Soft-boiled Eggs
Place egg into pan and cover with cold water.
Turn on gas (moderate to high flame).
Wait until water is at a rolling boil, then start timing.
For small egg, just over 2 minutes should be fine
Medium egg = 2 mins 10 seconds; Large egg = 2 mins 15 seconds. Remove from water and consume with soldiers. Lovely.

(And that will probably be my one useful contribution to any food thread .)