How to Tell if an Egg Is Hard-Boiled

By eHow Food & Drink Editor

Rate: (37 Ratings)

Oh, no! You've mixed up the eggs in your refrigerator and can't tell which are hard-boiled and which are raw! Relax - here's an easy test.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Eggs
Egg Cups
Egg Plates
Egg Slicers
Saucepans

Step1

Gently place the egg on its side on a countertop.

Step2

Spin the egg.

Step3

If the egg spins freely, it's hard-boiled.

Step4

If it wobbles and stops spinning, it's not hard-boiled.

Tips & Warnings

Don't spin the egg too close to the edge of your countertop.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 7/30/2006 Put the egg on a spoon and remove it from the water. If the water evaporates from the outer shell fairly quickly, it's done.

Anonymous said

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on 4/3/2006 Just shake it. If it rattles, it's raw. If it's silent and still, it's solid.

Anonymous said

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on 3/16/2006 Use this method if you're not worried about potentially shattered yolks! The boiled egg feels heavier and nothing will move inside when shaken, but with raw, you will feel it sloshing on the sides of the shell.

Anonymous said

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on 2/8/2006 Try to roll the egg end over end (lengthwise). The egg will not make even a half of a rotation if it is not boiled. It will just rotate a quarter turn or so. A boiled egg will roll end over end. Stand the egg on one end and support it using your index finger. Use your index finger to initiate the rolling motion of the egg.