Are you an egg peeling super-human?

[jackwhirl]

I've had this question for some time now, and I'd really like to find an answer.

What is the best way to peel a hard-boiled egg?

I don't consider myself -bad- at peeling eggs. It just seems to be a matter of luck. Sometimes the shell comes off cleanly and easily, and sometimes the eggshell membrane has welded itself to the egg white, rendering the task impossible.

If you have the knowledge I seek, please deliver me from this egg peeling purgatory.

How do you select an egg for its peelability?
What treatment, if any, do you subject the egg-boiling-water to?
Do you add the eggs while the water is cold, or after it is boiling?
How long do you boil the eggs?
How do you temper the eggs before peeling?
How long after boiling do you peel the eggs?

 

[phinds]

My wife cooks them in a steamer and then after they are cold, I crush/roll them on their side across a cutting board and the shells pretty much pop off in two pieces. Sometimes it's not so simple and I have to pick off numerous pieces. Don't know why that is.

 

[Sophia]

I slightly crack the whole egg on a hard surface (hit it multiple times to crack whole area evenly), then gently roll it between my palms in order to tear the membrane. After that, the shell comes down easily.

 

[Dr Transport]

The fresher the egg, the more difficult it is to peel easily...

 

[Fervent Freyja]

Of course I have mad cooking skills, I've been cooking daily for many years and I'm from the Deep South (most women cook well here)...

First, I allow mine to cool off before peeling. Then, I submerge them in a bowl full of warm water and do the peeling underwater- the water lubricates the inner shell as you peel and the membrane peels off very smoothly (the shell follows along). I only crack the most pointed area once to place my finger under the membrane (there resides a small air pocket at the top), it is difficult to remove the entire membrane flawlessly when cracking that one egg multiple times- the broken shell punctures the lining of different layers and makes peeling incredibly difficult and uneven.

 

[jackwhirl]

I slightly crack the whole egg on a hard surface (hit it multiple times to crack whole area evenly), then gently roll it between my palms in order to tear the membrane. After that, the shell comes down easily.

I've tried something similar but tend to end up with a tear in the egg as well. How do you avoid that?

First, I allow mine to cool off before peeling. Then, I submerge them in a bowl full of warm water and do the peeling underwater- the water lubricates the inner shell as you peel and the membrane peels off very smoothly (the shell follows along). I only crack the most pointed area once to place my finger under the membrane (there resides a small air pocket at the top), it is difficult to remove the entire membrane flawlessly when cracking that one egg multiple times- the broken shell punctures the lining of different layers and makes peeling incredibly difficult and uneven.

Thank you for going into such detail. How long do you boil the eggs? Do you cool them in the water, with a cool water bath, under running water, or in air?

 

[Evo]

I have the perfect, seemingly flawless way to peel perfect hardboiled eggs (Martha Stewart),

Place eggs in saucepan large enough to accommodate them in single layer. Fill pan with cold water, covering eggs by 1 inch. Place over medium-high heat. Cover; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 12 minutes. Transfer eggs to bowl of ice water. Let stand 2 minutes, or more, then remove (eggs should feel cold).

Don't use fresh eggs, wait about a week after you buy them.

After the eggs have been shocked in the ice water and are cold, tap the egg slightly on the counter, you can tap it in multiple places, the side with the air pocket usually caves in and allows you a starting point to get your finger in and start pulling the shell away without any egg attached.

I just did a dozen night before last, every one perfect.

 

[phinds]

Don't use fresh eggs, wait about a seek after you buy them.

Uh ... what are we seeking ?

I know. I was just a slip of the figner.

 

[Pepper Mint]

Oh no, this is really inhuman! Such Egg abuse hurts the egg badly.