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Hard Boiled Eggs

What is the secret to hard boiling eggs so the shell peels away easy??
No matter what I do I can NOT nail this process.

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Put some baking soda in the water when you are boiling them. It helps. And don’t use really fresh eggs either. After they are boiled, drain the water and cover them with cold water before peeling.

WindTherapy · 56-60, M

@cherokeepatti I too have heard that fresh eggs are harder to peel. No evidence personally but seemed plausible.

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@WindTherapy yes they are. I had chickens and needed to let those eggs in the refrigerator a few days before making hard-boiled eggs.

CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

I always boil eggs the same way and sometimes they peel horribly and other times they easily pop out. So it must depend on the egg itself, not the process.

WillaKissing · 56-60, M

I boil my eggs for 15 minutes and place them in a strainer right away in the sink and turn on the Cold-water full blast to run over the eggs for a few minutes, then I peel then right away good and clean without any issues.

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MrAverage1965 · 61-69, M

There is a company in the UK that cooks and peels eggs by the 1000s and apparently they use hot water not boiling and cook them for longer.

That's the secret apparently

MarineBob · 56-60, M

Go see grandma

KingofBones1 · 46-50, M

Just a dash of baking soda and salt in the water also the other thing you want to do is when cracking the shells don't just crack it roll it on the counter and press on it gently this gives a more even peel to the egg

JackOatMon · 46-50, M

I do them in my instant pot and they always peel so easy.

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JackOatMon · 46-50, M

@skmokisses Yes it is and i love it.

skmokisses · 46-50, F

@JackOatMon Ooooh .... those scare me (LOL)..... I have heard horror stories about those things injuring people.

JackOatMon · 46-50, M

@skmokisses Never had an issue. Not sure what they are doing.

Rumination · 41-45, M

I take mine straight from the pot into an ice bath to cool quickly. Usually does the trick

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Rumination · 41-45, M

@skmokisses yep! Normal process, but as soon as they’re cooked, I drain the water and replace it with ice and cold water

skmokisses · 46-50, F

@Rumination I will try this ..... I have been bringing them to a boil, removing from heat and covering to rest for 10 minutes. Then moving them to an ice bath for 15 or so minutes. However, this last weekend, they sat in the ice bath probably over 30 minutes and still were a pain to peel. 😞

Rumination · 41-45, M

@skmokisses The age of the chicken is a factor too, but it doesn’t usually affect regular store bought eggs 🤔

Tumbleweed · F

Just now seeing this two days later, but I always put alot of salt in the water with them

Haniazed

Before boiling, poke a small hole with a pushpin on the rounded end (as opposed to the pointier end) and then boil as usual. This makes peeling unbelievably easy…like it will blow your mind🤯😆👍🏼 You’re welcome!😉

soar2newhighs

After I’ve cooled them down I crack both ends, put the eggs (1 at a time ) in a plastic container, put the lid on and shake vigorously. 99% of the time it is a success.

skmokisses · 46-50, F

@soar2newhighs I'll have to give this a try, thanks 🙂

soar2newhighs

@skmokisses Please, let me know how you make out.
FYI: after the boiling time( usually 20 minutes- and add a splash of vinegar when I place the egg in the pot where in boiling. As they boil I take a plastic container, fill it with water, place in the freezer. When 20 mins ends, the egg(s) go in the water in the container in the freezer. After about 25 minutes, I drain the container. Then proceed as described in first response.

Livingwell · 61-69, M

I cool in cold water after boiling. They come off pretty easy.

SethGreene531 · M

🤷🏻‍♂ Still cracking that mystery.
I saved my sanity by switching to poached eggs🥚.

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skmokisses · 46-50, F

@SethGreene531 Yeah, unfortunately I just have a palate that is strongly affected by consistency and texture.

SethGreene531 · M

@skmokisses me somewhat as well...eating can be a bit of a minefield!

skmokisses · 46-50, F

@SethGreene531 Hahaha ......yes!

meJess · F

Shell peel depends in the egg not the boiling. Free range shells are easier to peel, battery hen ones are thinner.

skmokisses · 46-50, F

@meJess interesting .... I use organic pasture raised

meJess · F

@skmokisses not enough grit maybe, supposedly that makes the shells better

noexpectations1 · 41-45, M

I usually put some vinegar in the water, soon as they're done boiling, submerge in ice cold water

skmokisses · 46-50, F

@noexpectations1 I've not tried the vinegar.....but I do the ice bath thing.

noexpectations1 · 41-45, M

@skmokisses I believe older eggs fare better than fresh ones..

akindheart · 61-69, F

put a little salt in the water. guaranteed. so this is what you do-salt the water, bring it to a boil then turn it off with the lid on the pot. beautiful yellow yolks

skmokisses · 46-50, F

@akindheart So, I haven't tried the salt, but what I usually do it bring them to a boil, remove from heat and cover to rest for 10 minutes. Then move them to an ice bath for 15 or so minutes. Last weekend, they sat in the ice bath probably over 30 minutes and still were a pain to peel. 😞

HotPizza71 · 51-55, M

I run mine under cold water after cooking.
Then while still warm,I run the eggs on my sink,draining board..a hard service, rolling them to crack the shell..them hey presto..world everytime ( well 95%+)

Gangstress · 41-45, F

Cold water soak

dirge

I think it's supposed to be the coldwater bath after.

Matt85 · 36-40, M

i just eat the shell. cant be bothered with all that.

WillaKissing · 56-60, M

No matter your boil time, it is the rinsing with cold water right away that cools the shells to peel right off.

scorpiolovedeep · 51-55, M

Add salt to water and boil.

After about 10min into boiling, use a spoon to lightly crack the shell a few times but not too much.

Run in cold water after boiling.