Steaming Soft Or Hard-Boiled Eggs: A Quick Guide

Boiling eggs in a steam cooker is a great way to achieve evenly cooked, tender, and easy-to-peel eggs. This method is especially useful for hard-boiled eggs, as it prevents overcooking and the formation of a green ring around the yolk. To boil eggs in a steam cooker, fill a pot with about an inch of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a boil, add the eggs to the basket, cover, and steam for 6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs or 10-15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. Immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel.

How to prepare the pot and steamer basket

To prepare the pot and steamer basket for boiling eggs, you will need a medium-size pot or large saucepan (about 4 quarts). The pot should be large enough to allow your eggs to fit comfortably on the bottom in a single layer. If you are using a steamer basket, fill the pot with about 1 inch of water, enough to reach the bottom of the steamer basket. If you don't have a steamer basket, just fill the bottom of the saucepan with 1/2 inch of water.

Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Insert the steamer basket and cover the pot. Once the water is boiling and producing steam, gently place the eggs in the steamer basket or the bottom of the pan. Cover the pot again and turn the heat down to medium-high.

It is important to note that the number of eggs you can cook at once will depend on the size of your pot. For even cooking, it is best to arrange the eggs in a single layer, but you can also stack them, which will increase the steaming time.

How to heat the water and add eggs

To heat the water and add eggs, start by filling a pot with water. The amount of water will depend on whether you are using a steamer basket or not. If you are using a steamer basket, fill the pot with about an inch of water or enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer basket. If you are not using a steamer basket, just fill the bottom of the pot with about half an inch of water.

Next, place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Cover the pot and wait for the water to start boiling and producing steam. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and carefully place the eggs in the pot. If you are using a steamer basket, place the eggs at the bottom of the basket. If you are not using a steamer basket, gently lower the eggs into the saucepan using a slotted spoon. It's okay if the eggs are partially submerged in the water.

After placing the eggs in the pot, turn the heat back on to medium-high and cover the pot again. For soft-boiled eggs with runny yolks, steam the eggs for about 6 to 8 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs with fully cooked yolks, steam for 12 to 15 minutes. The steaming time may vary depending on various factors such as the size of your eggs, the initial temperature of the eggs, and the altitude of your location.

Once the eggs are done cooking, remove them from the pot with tongs or a spoon and transfer them to a bowl of icy cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. You can also run cold water directly into the pan to cover the eggs and quickly cool them.

How to set the timer for soft, medium, or hard-boiled eggs

The timing for soft, medium, or hard-boiled eggs depends on several factors, such as the size of the eggs, their starting temperature, the altitude of your location, and the vigour of the boiling water. Therefore, you may need to experiment to find the right timing for your situation.

As a general rule, soft-boiled eggs with fully set whites and a liquid yolk take around six minutes to cook. If you prefer your whites softer and slightly unset, this will only take three to five minutes. For hard-boiled eggs with a cooked-through yolk, steam for 12 to 15 minutes. If you want a hard-boiled egg with a still translucent and bright yolk, 10 minutes is sufficient.

If you are cooking multiple eggs and stacking them, you will need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time. It is recommended to cook the eggs in a single layer, if possible.

To achieve the perfect consistency, you can remove one egg a couple of minutes before the suggested cooking time and break it open to see if it is done to your liking.

How to cool the eggs after boiling

Once your eggs are boiled, it's important to cool them down quickly to prevent overcooking and the dreaded green yolk. The best way to do this is with an ice bath.

Prepare a bowl of iced water before you start cooking. As soon as your eggs are boiled, use a spoon to gently lift them from the steamer and place them in the ice bath. Leave them in the ice bath for at least 10 minutes, but the longer you leave them, the easier they will be to peel. If you're not planning to eat the eggs right away, you can leave them in their shells and store them in the fridge for up to a week.

If you are planning to peel the eggs, crack them slightly before placing them in the ice bath. This will make them even easier to peel. You can also peel the eggs under a thin stream of running water, which will help to get between the shell and the egg.

How to peel the eggs

Now that your eggs are boiled, it's time to peel them. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare an Ice Bath

As soon as your eggs are boiled, transfer them to a bowl of ice water using a slotted spoon or strainer. This will stop the cooking process and cool the eggs. Leave them in the ice bath for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are cool enough to handle but still warm.

Step 2: Gently Crack the Egg Shell

Take your egg and gently tap it on a hard surface, such as a counter or the bottom of a pan, creating a mosaic-like pattern all over the shell. Be careful not to crack the egg too hard, especially if you are working with softer boiled eggs, as they are more fragile and could tear.

Step 3: Roll the Egg

Gently roll the egg between your hands to help loosen the shell. This step may not be necessary for very fresh eggs, as they may already have a loose shell.

Step 4: Start Peeling at the Large End

Begin peeling at the egg's largest end, where there is an air pocket that will make it easier to start the process. Gently lift and peel away the thin membrane beneath the shell that surrounds the egg white. You can also use a spoon to help separate the membrane from the egg white.

Step 5: Use Cold Water for Extra Help

If you are having trouble removing the shell, hold the egg under cold running water while peeling, or submerge it in a bowl of water to help loosen the shell. The water pressure will aid in separating the shell from the membrane and wash away any stray bits of shell.

Tips for Easy-to-Peel Eggs:

• Start with slightly older eggs. Fresh eggs have a lower pH level, making them harder to peel.
• Add baking soda to the water when boiling. This increases the pH level of the egg whites, making them easier to separate from the shell.
• Use store-bought eggs, which are usually slightly older than farm-fresh eggs and, therefore, easier to peel.
• Boil your eggs in water instead of steaming them. This can make the eggs easier to peel.
• Shock your eggs in an ice bath after boiling. This will help cool them down quickly and prevent air-space indentations on their ends.

Frequently asked questions