Hard Boiled Eggs

[Fhyreworks]

Okay, I figure lots of us eat them in some fashion or another, is there ANY easy way to fix and peel the darn things without losing half the egg? I've tried the "put in pan of cold water, bring to a boil, boil for x minutes, let cool" and still most of them still stick to the shell when trying to peel them.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated :)

Debbie

[CheesyPoof]

I keep thinking of that contraption from Bridget Jones' Diary."Have it Oef!" I think it was called! Mind the overspray!

I just the other day saw an infomercial for a real egg peeler, hmmmm, lemme see if I can find it on google... here is is:
http://www.rkdm.com/eggstractor/

[Candyless]

Debbie, I will first tap on the shell to crack the shell and then I use a small spoon and place it directly under the shell and the shape of the spoon matches the shape of the egg. I just sort of pry off the shell and that thin coating around the egg. Does that make sense?

Candyless

[DeeDee33]

I've turned into an expert on peeling eggs ! Right when I take them out of the water I run cold water under the sink, crack the egg a bit and peel it under the running water...it seems to work for me:)

[skpaddie]

I've never had any problems. Just put it into a pan of ice cool water as soon as its cooked. Then leave it for 5 or 10 mins. I usually roll it between my hand and the table to crack the shell into tiny bits then pick off the bits. Sounds complicated but its not

[ledjinn]

I've heard that you should put salt in the boiling water.

Oh, the Bridget Jones's Diary contraption, I thought, was "Have it Oeuf," because oeuf=egg in French.

[scorpio381]

I've never had any problems. Just put it into a pan of ice cool water as soon as its cooked. Then leave it for 5 or 10 mins. I usually roll it between my hand and the table to crack the shell into tiny bits then pick off the bits. Sounds complicated but its not

That's pretty much what I do too. After the eggs are done, drain the water, then cover them with cold water. Let sit for a few minutes, then crack and peel.

[black57]

When you take the eggs off the stove, immediately immerse them in cold or ice water. This will cause the shell to shrink and peel easily away from the egg.

[Fhyreworks]

Thanks folks :) I was missing the cold water after they're done thing (usually just left them to sit in the pan until later when I felt like peeling, LoL). Next batch I will try that and see if it helps :)

Thanks again!

Debbie

[CheesyPoof]

Oh, the Bridget Jones's Diary contraption, I thought, was "Have it Oeuf," because oeuf=egg in French.

Yes, I just spelled Oeuf (oef) wrong -- not being French and all. ;)

[mrjoshua]

yup - cold water after works every time!!

[relliott1]

If you don't need to use them immediately (I often boil a batch just to have around for snacks etc), being in the fridge for a day or so will have the same affect as the cold water :)

Robin

[Marebear]

Older eggs peel better. When eggs sit around they becomes more alkaline, which results in an increase in the thin part of the egg white. The air pocket gets bigger as air is absorbed through the porous shell. These things makes the egg shell easier to remove. I eat tons of eggs in a week and try to keep a dozen to hard boil that I bought the week before.

How to hard boil eggs:
Start with cold water. Put in eggs in a single layer and bring to a rolling boil. Cover and remove from burner and let sit for 20 minutes. Put eggs in ice water to cool and then refrigerate. Perfect eggs every time.

I also use a teaspoon right under the shell as I peel it.

[Fhyreworks]

I'll be doing a batch next weekend, I will follow your advice :) I had heard something about the age of the egg making a difference but couldn't remember what.

Debbie

You folks are all the best :)

[lotsawater]

Great thread! I've had the same problem. I will definitely try the cold water bath for the eggs after their done.

[wils]

If eggs are too fresh, they do not peel properly. I get my eggs from the producer direct, what you buy in the store can be weeks old, and have to buy my boiling eggs ahead of time, so they get a week or two old before I boil them. I also have this handy little gadget, that has a recessed needle in it, and you press it against the end of the egg, putting a hole in it, and it allows air between the shell and the egg and then they peel better. I only use this if my eggs are really fresh when I boil them. I put mine in cold water, bring them to a boil, let them sit for 10 or 15 mins and then drain off the hot and cover with cold water. 99 % of the time I don't have a problem.

[GoddessMom]

Okay, I figure lots of us eat them in some fashion or another, is there ANY easy way to fix and peel the darn things without losing half the egg? I've tried the "put in pan of cold water, bring to a boil, boil for x minutes, let cool" and still most of them still stick to the shell when trying to peel them.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated :)

Debbie

The Secret:..........................
Don't let them cool! I peel them hot, and run cold water to briefly put them under if they get too hot.
Here's how I make them from start to finish:
I put cold eggs in pot of cold water and bring to a boil. I boil for exactly 6 minutes and then turn them off. I replace the hot water with cool water and start peeling. They are completely done after 6 minutes, but not hard-boiled.
If you overcook boiled eggs they're very difficult to peel anyway. I make 12 eggs every night so I have them in the morning. Plus whenever my kids want deviled eggs or egg salad that number doubles!! I eat about 3-4 a day and my kids eat them for snacks also. We peel a lot of eggs in this house!


Tawny

[rloveman]

I use the cold water, plus I start with the wider end of the egg. There's usually a little air pocket or something there. Once you get that part going, the rest is a breeze.