How to Prevent Boiling Eggs From Cracking

The last thing you need to worry about as you're in a cooking frenzy or simply rushing through the day is an egg that cracks when it's boiling. Instead of a nicely boiled egg that can be eaten whole or chopped into a salad or sandwich, you get a nasty mess that creates more dishes to clean. To prevent boiling eggs from cracking, simply follow these steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Let the eggs warm up out of the fridge. The main reason that eggs crack when they're in boiling water is the difference between the temperature of the hot water and the cool egg. To prevent the egg from cracking, simply leave the egg out of the fridge for about 20 minutes so it gets to room temperature.

2. Gradually raise the heat of the water. Starting with cold water that gradually rises to a boil is another way of preventing the egg from cracking. Put the egg in a sauce pan with at least one inch of cool water. Let the water come to a boil gradually and the egg should stay intact.

3. Add vinegar or salt to the boiling water. A teaspoon of vinegar and a couple pinches of salt will help seal any potential cracks before they get a chance to do any significant damage to the rest of the shell. Add either salt or vinegar, or even both, just after you add the water to the saucepan or pot.

4. Cook the eggs slowly. Most techniques for boiling an egg involve putting the egg in a pot full of water at high heat. To reduce chances of cracking the egg, bring the water to a boil, take the pot off the heat for a moment and then put it back on a low simmer for about ten minutes or until it's ready.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't boil too many eggs at once. When boiling eggs in quantity, as for coloring Easter eggs or making large batches of egg salad, be sure the eggs aren't crowded in the pot. Eggs need room to move with the boiling water to prevent cracking.

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[altekake]

on 5/16/2009 TO CHECK HOW FRESH AN EGG IS, PLACE IT IN A BOWL OF WATER --- A FRESH EGG WILL FLOAT WHILE AN OLDER EGG WILL SINK, PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY --- AS AN EGG GETS OLDER, THE AIR INSIDE ESCAPES, THEREBY CAUSING IT TO SINK

[altekake]

on 5/16/2009 PRICK "BLUNT" END OF EGG WITH PRICKER OR A THIN NEEDLE, TO LET AIR OUT. THIS PREVENTS EXPANSION WHICH CAUSES THE EGG TO CRACK