Egg Boiler & Slow Cooker

[christophermahon]

I have two questions do you have a Slow Cooker ,do you know how much it costs to run ,also Do you have an Egg Boiler (not a small sauceman) are they worth buying ,I notice there is one on offer on Groupon for £10.00 saving 65% each time I have tried to order one the system tells me the address I have used is incorrect ,is this an omen ,any thoughts x x Thank you

[scorpiojo]

65% off both items?

[ummmm]

I used to have an egg boiler. Honestly, don't bother, you have to puncture each egg with a little gadget, then you have to measure out the water depending on how many eggs you're cooking. Much easier to put the eggs in a saucepan and boil.

[bhg481]

Looking at the power consumption of a couple of slow cookers, you could run them from morning until come-home-from-work time for about 20p.
I would put egg boilers into the "fill-up-a-cupboard/worksurface" category ie, they sit occupying useful space after one or two uses until you get around to taking it to te tip/charity shop.

[windywillow]

I bought an egg boiler when it was on offer, but after a couple of uses, I couldn't be bothered with the faffing involved with it. I think I gave it to a charity shop.

[murraymints]

have an egg thingy but have not got around to using it..from Groupon

[Rosie29]

I have a very old egg boiler which is perfect once you get your timings right - I use it every single day. It would take too long to boil water on my electric hobs. Yes, you have to puncture the top of the eggs and measure the water but this is not a problem. I don't think, with mine, the amount of water varies with the quantity of eggs.

[trt]

I just use my microwave saucepan, pour boiling water from kettle covering the eggs, cook in micro for 3,4,5 min, depending how you like them.

[Rosie29]

I'll try that trt - sounds a good idea.

[Buenchico]

You asked how much a slow cooker costs to run. I've just checked the power rating of mine and it's 90W. So if it's on all of the time (rather than switching itself off and on via a thermostat as, say, an electric immersion heater does), it costs a little under 1½p per hour to run. That's at the 'high' setting, of course. At a lower heat setting it would cost even less to run.

[Quizmonster]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MICROWAVE-EGG-COOKER-PLASTIC-POACHER-CHICKEN-BOIL-BOILER-POACH-STEAMER-BOILED-/351146940267?hash=item51c1fd176b:g:MV0AAOSwnDZT7jQS
I've got one of these and it works a treat! Besides, if you're prepared to wait a little longer than usual, you can get one from China for next to nothing!
Put 35ml of cold water in the base and place the egg, UNpricked, on the metal tray, close the top and set microwave for 7 minutes at 40% of max power. During the 7 minutes, you can sort out your coffee and toast, eat your cereal or whatever.
It truly is no 'bother' whatsoever and eggs come out just perfect!

[Tilly2]

I thought whole eggs exploded in the microwave? Is that a myth?

[gingejbee]

...Tilly....only if still inside chicken!

[Tilly2]

I was sure you couldn't microwave eggs.......?

[Jackdaw33]

I had an egg boiler and a slow cooker. In the end I had to sack her.

[Sipowicz]

^^^^^^^^
Love it!

[Quizmonster]

Well, Tilly, none of mine have ever exploded.
In general re the 35 ml of water, if sticking to that seems bothersome, there's no need to faff about getting this just right every time. The first time, I used a small plastic measuring-jug we already had, and simply noted the level the water reached in the base of the egg-boiler. Easy-peasy thereafter.

[christophermahon]

Quizmonster I was with you until you said 40% of Max power I have only just mastered 30 sec - 1min to reheat my coffee x x

[ummmm]

Tilly - they will explode if you don't use water.

[Quizmonster]

Christopher, my micro has Time and Power settings...I thought they all had! So, I press 'Microwave 7.00' followed by 'Power 4' and that's the egg-boiler ready to do its stuff. However, just go on enjoying your reheated coffee, by all means!

Ummmm, I'm sure you're right about the water preventing egg-explosions, but I also wonder about the fact that the inside of the top half of the boiler is clad in aluminium and the egg sits on a tray of the same material...ie it's completely surrounded.
Someone more technically-minded then me might be able to explain the significance of that.
All I know is that it works and is totally straightforward and utterly hassle-free.