Hard Boiled Eggs ????

[PiedPiper13]

Do those prickers work where you make a small pin prick in the eggshell.

Which end do you pierce, the round end or the pointy end. I ask this because I get cheesed off with the yolk spilling out into the water and you get left with a boiled egg with just the white bit.

[Maydup]

Use the pricker thing on Jacket Potatoes and leave the eggs be.

[PiedPiper13]

Impressive Mlynne. Unfortunately truffle extract is not in my shopping budget, interesteing though, thanks.

[Mamyalynne]

That procedure is simply to show how to - no need to add the truffle.

[Ratty2E]

I think the pricker thing is just if you 'boil' them in the microwave. You have to let the steam escape or it will explode, i have never tried it though. I would never pierce the shell if you are cooking it in water.

[LyndaB]

I don't prick my eggs, but then I never put cold eggs into boiling water either. If you do prick them it's the round end that should be pricked, that's where the air pocket is. Don't put the eggs in too large a pan, that can as cause cracking.

Just to give you all a giggle, here's my recipe for boiled eggs for soldiers. Put the eggs into pan of cold water, bring them to the boil, then reduce the heat and sing three verses (and choruses) of Onward Christian Soldiers and et voila!!!! Perfect boiled eggs!

[Old_Geezer]

Never had an egg crack on being put in boiling water. Maybe the farmers' chickens near me are fed on better stuff ?

[murraymints]

put eggs in pan of cold water bring to boil leave bubbling for six mins remove pan from heat run cold water into pan from tap. leave for two mins standing in cold water take out dry off peel and eat ! it is not rocket science..lol.

[Arksided]

I like my eggs soft centered, I love dunking toast slices in the yolk (soldiers), but I can't remember where the tip came from (could have been on here) I always prick the larger end of the egg before submersing them in simmering water, large eggs 5 mins so hard boiled suggest 8 mins. it does avoid cracking.

[AlwaysConfused]

Our staff canteen is not the best, some food is best avoided. One morning, I asked for a runny egg. She very rudely ranted that they do not serve runny eggs as they can be a health risk. I apologized and said that I would rephrase my request 'can I please have one of your eggs that do not bounce off the walls, please?' which was met by much chuckling from the tables!

[emmie]

put eggs in salted cold water, the salt usually stops them from cracking, slowly bring to boil, turn down heat, simmer for 10 minutes, take out and rinse and let go cold. No need for anything else

[rockyracoon]

I always get cracked eggs when I hard boil them, Idon't keep them in the fridge and always start off with cold water. I'll have to try this pricking idea.

[emmie]

rocky, do you add salt to the water, it usually stops them from cracking. and if you want to try just simmering the eggs not getting them to the boil, will take a bit longer but it does work.

[LyndaB]

I was watching Nigella yesterday morning, and she was boiling an egg. She put a matchstick in the water - her grandmother told her that if she did that, and the eggs DID crack, then the white wouldn't escape into the water! She says it's always worked for her so it might be worth a try!

[Segilla]

Egg prickers are a waste of money. I tap my eggs on the corner of a cupboard door, just enough to crack the shell. Cost - zilch.

[Segilla]

Correction.
Egg prickers are a waste of money. I tap the blunt end of my eggs on the corner of a cupboard door, just enough to crack the shell. Cost - zilch

[mightyWBA]

As Dennis said earlier if the eggs crack add vinegar to the boiling water, my Grandmother told me that years ago and it works.

I never had to teach her how to suck eggs either :)

[Segilla]

There are all sorts of suggestions on how to boil an egg so that it comes out just as wanted. But consider this.

It depends on the size and temperature of the egg and whether free range or not.
Size of the pan.
Quantity of water used and its temperature.
Heat source and its strength.

When you've calculated all these correctly you might get the perfect boiled egg. For others of us it's always a hit or miss affair!

[belrec]

I agree with rattyratgirl, the pricker is if you want to do it in the microwave not for pan boiling :-)

This is so they dont explode!

[RATTER15]

Do not fridge eggs, place eggs into cold water and then boil, not necessary to prick eggs but if you do the air sack is at the rounded end, that where you prick it. if the egg cracks a little bit of vinegar added to the water will stop it going any further, no you wont taste the vinegar.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=the+anatomy+of+an+egg&hl=en&client=firefox-beta&hs=70r&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=fO7rUISLO8PG0QW154DQBQ&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1680&bih=911