How do I prevent an egg cracking while hard boiling it?

Question

Sometimes when I cook hard boiled eggs they will crack in the saucepan, and some of the egg will seep out into the water.

Am I boiling the water too vigorously, or can I add something to the water to prevent it?

Answer 1

I used the method here before with good success: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_perfect_hard_boiled_eggs/

Basically you start with the eggs in the pan with cold water and bring the water to temperature, right when it reaches boiling you pull the heat back and let the eggs cook for 10 minutes.

You don't need a full on boil to hard boil the eggs.

Answer 2

There is an air bubble at the base of the egg. As you cook the egg the air bubble expands and cracks the shell. To prevent the shell from cracking, gently pierce the air bubble with a sharp, pointy knife. It allows the expanding air to escape.

Answer 3

I am going to add a caution for simple over-cooking. I'm a soft-boiled fan, myself, but generally I think the risk of cracking is greater the more the eggs rattle around in boiling water with their liquid steaming inside. Low and slow makes great eggs.

Answer 4

As eggs develop more air as they get older (which is why bad eggs float, fresh eggs sink,and old eggs stand up in water) you are more likely to get cracked eggs with older eggs, and if you plunge them in to hot water.

If you are doing it for hard boiling then you might be better using a technique like ManiacZX describes where you bring the eggs to the boil in cold water, then turn the heat off and leave them with a lid on for 10-12 mins.

Answer 5

Before you submerge the egg, prick the large end of the shell with a (clean!) thumb tack or safety pin. This will allow the trapped air bubbles - which are normally responsible for cracking - to escape during the boiling process.

Also take care to avoid any impacts:

• Don't overcrowd the pot - the eggs should form a single sparse layer;

• Use a tongs or spoon to lower the eggs into the boiling water - or start with cold water with the eggs already in the pot.

• Make sure you use enough water - cover the eggs by at least an inch.

P.S. Even though the above should always prevent cracking, if you're still having problems, you can add some vinegar to the water. This will not help with cracking but it will make the eggs set quicker if they do crack and mitigate the nasty mess. I don't do this anymore, but something to remember if you're desperate (i.e. if the eggs are very old).