Steam Rack Egg Cooking: How Long Does It Take?

Steaming is a great way to cook eggs, requiring minimal equipment and resulting in soft and creamy eggs that are easy to peel. The cooking time varies depending on the type of egg you want, but generally, it takes around 6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs and 12-15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. The exact timing will depend on several factors, such as the size of the eggs, the starting temperature, altitude, and personal preferences.

How to steam hard-boiled eggs

Steaming is a great way to cook hard-boiled eggs, as it makes them easier to peel and gives them a tender texture. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve perfect steamed hard-boiled eggs.

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

You will need a steamer basket and a medium-sized or large saucepan. Add about 1 inch of water to the saucepan. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can simply fill the bottom of the saucepan with 1/2 inch of water.

Step 2: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Wait for the water to start boiling and producing steam.

Step 3: Add the Eggs

Once the water is boiling, gently place your desired number of eggs at the bottom of the steamer basket or directly into the pan if you don't have a steamer basket. It's best to arrange the eggs in a single layer if possible, but you can stack them if needed. Just keep in mind that stacking may require a slightly longer cooking time.

Step 4: Cover and Steam the Eggs

Cover the pot and turn the heat back on to medium-high. Set a timer depending on your desired doneness:

• 6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs
• 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs with a still translucent and bright yolk
• 12 to 15 minutes for fully cooked hard-boiled eggs

Please note that the steaming time may vary depending on factors such as egg size, initial temperature, altitude, and your personal preference for yolk firmness.

Step 5: Prepare an Ice Bath

While the eggs are steaming, fill a bowl with ice and water to create an ice bath. This step is crucial to stop the cooking process and ensure the eggs are easy to peel.

Step 6: Chill the Eggs

As soon as the timer goes off, use a spoon to carefully remove the eggs from the steamer basket or pan and place them directly into the prepared ice bath. Let the eggs cool for at least a few minutes before peeling. For best results, chill them in the ice bath for at least 15 minutes.

Step 7: Peel and Enjoy

After the eggs have cooled, you can peel them and enjoy them as desired. Gently tap the eggs all over to crack the shell, then remove the shell under a thin stream of running water. The water will help lift the shell off the egg, making the peeling process easier.

Tips:

• If you want to avoid overcooking the eggs and having a darkish green exterior on the yolk, be sure to transfer the eggs to the ice bath as soon as they are done steaming.
• Store fully cooked steamed hard-boiled eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

How to steam soft-boiled eggs

Steaming is a great way to cook soft-boiled eggs, and it's super easy to do! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam soft-boiled eggs to perfection:

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

You'll need a steamer basket and a medium-sized pot or large saucepan. Add about 1 inch of water to the pot, just enough to reach the bottom of the steamer basket. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can simply fill the bottom of the saucepan with 1/2 inch of water.

Step 2: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Heat the water until it reaches a rolling boil and starts producing steam. This will ensure that your eggs cook evenly and gently.

Step 3: Prepare Your Eggs

While the water is heating up, you can get your eggs ready. It's best to use eggs at room temperature, so take them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to cook them. This will ensure more consistent results.

Step 4: Add Eggs to the Steamer

Once the water is boiling, gently place your desired number of eggs in the steamer basket. If you're cooking a large number of eggs, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking. Cover the pot with a lid.

Step 5: Set the Timer and Steam the Eggs

For soft-boiled eggs, set your timer for 6 minutes. The steaming time may vary depending on factors such as the size of your eggs, your altitude, and how soft or firm you like your yolks. So, you may need to experiment a little to find the perfect timing for your desired doneness.

Step 6: Prepare an Ice Bath

While your eggs are steaming, fill a bowl with ice and water to create an ice bath. This step is crucial to stop the cooking process and ensure your eggs don't overcook.

Step 7: Chill the Eggs

As soon as the timer goes off, use a spoon to carefully remove the eggs from the steamer and place them directly into the prepared ice bath. Let them cool for at least a few minutes before peeling. This step will also help you achieve perfectly shaped eggs without any indentations on the fat ends.

Step 8: Peel and Enjoy!

After the eggs have cooled, you can peel them and enjoy your soft-boiled eggs! The steaming method should make the eggs easier to peel, resulting in perfectly smooth, divot-free eggs.

And there you have it! A simple and effective way to cook soft-boiled eggs using steam. Happy cooking!

How to steam eggs without a steamer basket

Steaming eggs is a great way to ensure that the shell slips off with ease, leaving you with a perfect soft or hard-boiled egg. Here's how to do it without a steamer basket:

Boil a Small Amount of Water in a Pot

• Using your pinkie finger as a guide, fill your pot with enough water to reach the bottom of your fingernail.
• Cover the pot with a lid.
• Turn the stove to high heat and bring the water to a rapid boil.

Place the Eggs in the Pot

Remove the lid and carefully place your desired number of eggs in the pot. You can steam as many eggs as your pot can accommodate.

Replace the Lid and Set the Timer

• Put the lid back on the pot to trap the steam, which is necessary for perfect cooking.
• Set a timer for around 6 minutes for a soft-boiled egg and around 12 minutes for a hard-boiled egg.

Cool the Eggs

• Turn off the stove when the timer goes off.
• Run cold water in a mixing bowl or prepare a bath of ice cubes and water to stop the cooking process and cool the eggs.
• Place the steamed eggs in the bowl of cold water.

Peel and Serve the Eggs

• The eggs should now be cool enough to handle. Gently tap the egg on your countertop and then run your thumb under the crack, flicking upwards to loosen the shell.
• Serve the eggs as desired, such as in a salad or alongside buttered toast.

Tips:

• It's important to keep the pot on the stove over heat throughout the steaming process.
• Avoid leaving the eggs in the steam after the timer goes off to prevent overcooking.
• For a quick snack, steam an egg and serve it with creamy white-bean dip.

Alternative Methods:

If you don't want to use a pot, there are a few other ways to steam eggs:

• Microwave: Place the egg in a microwave-safe bowl with a tablespoon of water. Cover with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plate and cook until crisp. This method is faster but may result in a slightly shrivelled appearance.
• Instant Pot: Plug in your Instant Pot and pour 1 cup of water into the bottom to activate the pressure function. Place the metal basket (trivet) in the bottom of the pot and fill it with eggs. Close the lid, set the steam function, and choose 3 minutes for soft-boiled or 6 minutes for hard-boiled.
• Bamboo Steamer: Add 1/2 inch of water to a pan and bring it to a boil. Fill the bamboo steamer with eggs, cover, and place it over the boiling water for the desired amount of time. Cool the eggs under running water or in an ice bath.

How to avoid overcooking eggs

To avoid overcooking eggs on a steam rack, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, the steaming time will vary depending on several factors, including the size of your eggs, their initial temperature, your altitude, the vigour of the boiling water, and whether you stack or layer the eggs. Therefore, you may need to experiment to find the right timing for your specific situation. As a general guideline, set your timer for 6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs, 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs with a translucent and bright yolk, and 12 to 15 minutes for fully cooked hard-boiled eggs.

To further prevent overcooking, use rapid release at the end of the cooking process to drop the pressure inside the cooker. Additionally, always use a steamer basket or rack to keep the eggs off the bottom of the pot, as direct contact with the pot may burn the shell and overcook the egg. Also, avoid the high-pressure setting when cooking eggs, as this can cause cracking or leaking. Instead, keep the pressure cooker set to low.

To prepare the pot and steamer basket, fill a saucepan with enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer basket (about 1 inch) if you are using one. If not, just fill the bottom of the saucepan with 1/2 inch of water. Heat the water to boiling and then gently place the eggs in the steamer basket or the bottom of the pan. Cover the pot and set your timer accordingly.

Finally, to quickly cool the eggs down after steaming, remove them with a spoon and place them in a bowl of icy cold water, or run cold water directly into the pan. This will help stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking.

How to peel steamed eggs

Steaming eggs is a great way to make them easier to peel. The steam causes the proteins in the egg whites to shrink, pulling the whites away from the membrane lining the shell. This loosens the membrane's grip on the egg white, making the egg much easier to peel.

• Prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice and water. Set it aside.
• After steaming your eggs for the desired amount of time, use a spoon to carefully remove them from the pot.
• Immediately place the eggs in the prepared ice bath to stop the cooking process.
• Let the eggs cool down. You can also run them under cold water for several minutes to speed up the process.
• Once the eggs are cool enough to handle, crack the shell by tapping it gently on a hard surface.
• Start peeling the shell from the air pocket. You should be able to lift off a nice big piece of shell.
• Continue peeling the shell. It should slide off quickly and easily.
• If you don't want to peel the eggs right away, you can store them in the refrigerator for a few days.

By following these steps, you'll be able to easily peel your steamed eggs and enjoy them as part of a delicious meal or snack!

Frequently asked questions