What do you think is the best way to boil eggs (chickens, boiled)

[BellaLind]

I know how to boil an egg but I've also become aware of several different methods. I wondered what is the best way so the yolks don't turn green and the shells don't stick when you peel them? I've been trying different methods I find online but so far I haven't found that magical best way so my deviled eggs come out looking nice.

One tip my mom told me for the shells is to use older eggs. That works, but I don't always have that luxury.

Thanks!

[cindersslipper]

Yolks turn green means you've overcooked them.

My mother always used to run them under cold water. That makes sense as the egg may shrink slightly inside and pull itself away from the shell.

I love a boiled egg in the morning but I've recently moved, no longer have gas. It feels too wasteful to heat up the stove element just to boil an egg so I'm looking at electric egg boilers.

They seem like a great idea, and I think I want one.

Anyone tried them?

[maggie2101]

Cover eggs in cold water, bring water to a boil, cover and remove from heat. Let sit for ~15 min. and then plunge eggs into ice water to cool quickly.

[IslandCityGirl]

Originally Posted by maggie2101

Cover eggs in cold water, bring water to a boil, cover and remove from heat. Let sit for ~15 min. and then plunge eggs into ice water to cool quickly.

This!

Unfortunately, a perfectly boiled egg and an egg that peels cleanly have some contradictions...

Your egg will cook more evenly (hard-cooked but no grey/green yolk) if you start your eggs in a cold pot as maggie2101 suggested. I'd also add that using room temp eggs will help with that even cooking process.

BUT a cold start will allow the whites to cook more slowly, causing them to adhere to the membrane/shell more, making them more difficult to peel. It's a dramatic difference. Boiled eggs that go straight into boiling water instead of a cold pot of water are always easier to peel. Freshness of eggs also has a big effect on how easily they peel. Really fresh eggs are more difficult to peel (darn it).

My compromise to get the best of both worlds would be to put your eggs into an already-boiling pot of water, but then very quickly (30 seconds to a minute) reduce the heat to low simmer. Simmer for about 12 minutes then run them under cold water to stop the cooking process before peeling.

[BellaLind]

Thank you for the answers so far. Think I will experiment tonight.

[lubby]

Originally Posted by maggie2101

Cover eggs in cold water, bring water to a boil, cover and remove from heat. Let sit for ~15 min. and then plunge eggs into ice water to cool quickly.

This is how I do it

[Moonlady]

I do mine slightly different. I bring the water to a boil then lower the eggs into it using a slotted spoon. Cook for 12 minutes, then remove from the pan and run under cold water. If your eggs are really fresh they will be harder to peel. The plunging into the boiling water seems to help a little bit with that for some reason.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by BellaLind

I know how to boil an egg but I've also become aware of several different methods. I wondered what is the best way so the yolks don't turn green and the shells don't stick when you peel them? I've been trying different methods I find online but so far I haven't found that magical best way so my deviled eggs come out looking nice.

One tip my mom told me for the shells is to use older eggs. That works, but I don't always have that luxury.

Thanks!

There are many theories as to why some eggs are easier to peel. IMO they are all just theories. Mine is that if is you buy cage free eggs from happy chickens they will peel easier. This is only because the eggs I peeled today WERE from cage free chickens and they peeled very easily.

Anyway, the foolproof way to cook them is to place the eggs in a pan of hot water. Put the heat on high and wait for them to get to a full boil. Turn down the heat so that they are at a gentle simmer for ten minutes.

Alternatively, you can bring the eggs to a full boil, cover, and remove from heat for 10 minutes.

Then, drain off the hot water and rinse with cold water so you can handle them. You can crack the shells so they will cool faster. That's all there is to it. it's not rocket science.

[northporlarbear]

I let the water boil until I can see the bubbles on the top. Then I put the eggs in, let it sit for 5 minutes. I also add in some salt, hoping it would help the eggs not to crack. After 5 solid minutes, I take them out & cool them with cold water. This way, the egg white is solid but the yolk is half liquid. I like it that way.

[GiGi603]

I asked this question in a knitting circle once--wow, people can be passionate on how to make a hard boiled egg!

I buy "fresh" eggs from happy chickens from the dairy farmer and found they are the best.

I use this:Egg Perfect Timer | Williams-Sonoma

and my eggs come out perfect every time.