Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

In order to peel a hard boiled egg without it breaking. Roll it on the counter top so the shell cracks into small pieces. The shell will easily peel off leaving the hard boiled egg perfect. By Mary Freeman

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RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

If you sprinkle a small amount of salt in the water when boiling the eggs, the shells will come off very easily. (02/03/2005)

By Sandy

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

My mom always added salt to the water that she boiled eggs in. She said that the salt helped to keep the egg yolk and white from escaping out of any cracks in the eggs. We (my parents) raised chickens for their eggs and of course we didn't sell the cracked eggs and so we got to eat them. Also the older the eggs the easier they are to peel when hardboiled. Fresh eggs are nearly impossible to peel cleanly. But nowadays, eggs in the store...how soon do they arrive at the store after being laid by the chicken? Just use the oldest eggs you have in your fridge. (02/06/2005)

By valleyrimgirl

Peeling Eggs

New eggs are hard to peel after being boiled. I hold them a week and then boil them. They last several weeks so one week is not harmful. They peel without sticking. By Jill (02/10/2005)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

I roll them on the countertop to crack the shell, and then run them under cool water to peel with ease. (02/15/2005)

By Mama_05

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

They aren't always easy to peel just by rolling them on the counter top. I will try the old egg method, as well as the salt. (07/29/2006)

By dibloafer

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Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

Does anyone have any tips on removing the shells from a hard boiled egg? I just hard boiled 20+ eggs and while shelling them I ended up with a big mess. Thanks.

Sue A,

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RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

It may be too late but the trick in getting shells to come off easily is to immediately put the hot eggs in cold water. Just keep running the cold water for a while, then the eggs shells will come off easily. Susan from ThriftyFun (10/14/2004)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

If you drop eggs in sink and crack shells good then put back in pan and fill with cold water. Peel them with egg under cold running water. Works every time. (10/14/2004)

By chadsooma

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

Also a great way to get the shell off is to crack the egg all around then place it on a hard surface and roll it with your palm back and forth. The egg shell should slip off without too much difficulty. (10/15/2004)

By Beth

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I know this one. First use something like a thumb tack (this is what I use) and hold the egg gently and push a hole into the large end of the egg. Bring your water to a slow boil and add some salt, don't let the water come to a rolling boil just a slow simmer type boil. Then lower the eggs into the water using a spoon, don't try and place them into the water using your hands only. Only cook the eggs for 10 minutes its very important not to over cook the eggs. Then carefully drain off the water. Shake the eggs around in the pan to start breaking the shells.

Now place the pan under cold water and start removing the shell. Very important, you must start with the large end of the egg. The first time I tried this, I over cooked the eggs and the shells didn't come off too easily. I cooked the eggs longer because I was afraid that the center would not be fully cooked at 10 minutes. On my second attempt I only boiled the eggs for 10 minutes and all of my shells, 10 eggs, came off almost in one piece. Good luck and I hope this helps. (10/15/2004)

By KCarlisle

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

Fresh eggs are much harder to peel than older eggs. Air has permeated the shell in older ones and the cooked insides won't stick as much. Hard cook the oldest eggs in your fridge for an easier time. (10/15/2004)

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I have always done this and it works every time, all the time. Take a small spoon and hit the egg all over and it will crack everywhere, then turn the spoon around and slip the tip under a piece of the shell and slip it around the entire egg and the shell just falls off, rinse off if any shell, you're done and you usually won't pull any of the egg away if you are careful. Kay (10/17/2004)

By Kay N.

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I put a little salt and a little vinegar in the water when the boil the eggs. This keeps them from cracking and makes the shells slip off easily. (02/07/2006)

By Debbie52

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

After boiling the eggs, empty all of the hot water and fill the pan with cold water. Add two bowls of ice and let the eggs sit in the ice water for ten minutes. (11/21/2007)

By Jeannie

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

Did anyone say not to put the hot eggs immediately into cold water yet? (03/21/2008)

By lol

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

Add a little vegetable oil to the pot while boiling the eggs. The shells absorbs just enough of the oil so that the shells slide right off. (03/18/2009)

By Ariela

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Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

My request is: does anyone have an easy way to peel hard boiled eggs. I want to use them for egg salad, as an example. I recently got a couple dozen eggs for egg salad. I cooked them, but they were very hard to peel. This was even after being in placed the cold water and then in cold water again.

Unfortunately my son found some egg shells in the egg salad. He was not happy. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you in advance.

By redrose51 from Canandaigua, NY

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RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

Use older eggs, not fresh ones right from the store. Also put a tablespoon of vinegar in the water when you boil them. Once they are done, take the pan to the sink and run them under cold water to cool them quickly.

Once they are cooled take an egg and gently hit it down on a flat surface on it's side. Then roll it putting gentle pressure with your hand until all sides are crackled. Pinch a section of the broken shell and it should all peel off very easily. The more cracks the easier it is. (06/16/2009)

By SusLuvsVintage

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I always put some vegetable oil in the water when I'm boiling them and they peel off super easy every time. (06/17/2009)

By JacobsMamaKat

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

Try a couple of teaspoons of vinegar in the water you boil the eggs in. (06/17/2009)

By Curvedbar

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I agree "not" fresh eggs. When eggs are done drain off water-shake the pan all around till eggs have lots of cracks in them-peel under cold water. Works for me. (06/17/2009)

By joanie47

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

Not fresh eggs, rinse immediately in cold water, cover eggs with cold water again and cover with ice cubes, let set for 15 minutes. Always put salt in pan before cooking.

Ginger (06/17/2009)

By rosina

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

One additional hint: before cooking eggs, pierce broader end with a very clean needle or some such. Don't go deeper than not quite 1/4 inch, and if it is hard to pierce the shell, press needle tightly to desired spot and then rotate while applying pressure and it will gradually go deep enough.

Prepare pierced eggs as others have advised including thorough cooling immediately. The small hole allows small amount liquid to lubricate inside of shell, but does not change texture or taste of eggs. You may have to remove that skin that sometimes forms, but the shells slide right off after you crack shells all over.

In line with this hint, I find it convenient to keep a certain needle cleaned and ready to use by poking it through a paper napkin or some such and tucking it in a small plastic bag which I then place inside of egg carton, there is more than enough room for it. (06/17/2009)

By moonylisa

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

The suggestions on using older eggs are correct. The reason for that is that the egg will, ever so slightly, dry and shrink within the shell (not badly, mind you). This way, the shell will not cling so to the egg. I do this all the time. I will keep eggs in my fridge for even a couple weeks after the "sell by" date. Sometimes, you can even get eggs at a marked down price if the sell by date is approaching and the store needs to get them rotated out. Then, you will have beautifully peeled eggs and a bargain to boot.

The cooking process I use is to bring eggs to a boil, turn heat off and cover pot. Let sit on stove unit for 1 hour. Drain water. Put lid on the pot and shake eggs to crack. Pour cold water and let the eggs sit for a few minutes. My eggs peel perfectly every time, only because of the older egg part.

I wish you success on your next batch. (06/17/2009)

By tnsink

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I put 3 or 4 eggs and salt in the water, bring it to a boil, and let cook for approximately 11 minutes. Then I get a container ready with ice and very cold water and put it in the sink. When done, the eggs are put into the cold ice water and I put a small ice pack on top and let sit until cold.

Sometimes after they've cooled off I dry them off and put them in the fridge. When I'm ready to make the egg salad I roll them on the counter to crack the shell all over and then peel, starting with the larger end.

Maybe your son could try making his own egg salad and see how well he does. (06/19/2009)

By Maryeileen

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Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

When making deviled eggs for your holiday meals try this tip.

After boiling your eggs, drain them and put them in the refrigerator to cool (perhaps an hour or two).

1. Take one egg and tap on its end breaking into the shell, then tap it on the other end breaking into the shell.

2. Now roll the egg shell on its side, on your counter to smash the shell up completely.

3. Start by removing the shell at either end, making sure to get the inner membrane along with the shell itself.

4. AND now carefully pull the remaining egg shell off easily and completely.

No more hunt and pick trying to peel and boiled egg anymore. THE SECRET IS COOLING THEM then smashing the shells up completely.

I learned this trick working in a large truck stop in Iowa. "40 dozen (480) boiled eggs" had to be peeled to make egg salad for the truckers sandwiches.

Let's say, I had to master the art of peeling a boiled egg EGGACTLY..

Hope this helps you out too!

By Paula Jo Carr from Mebane, NC

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RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

I add a little salt to the water. Then I like to do things quick. I just take a dull blade knife, (like a butter knife). Then hold the egg in my hand after boiled and run cold water over it to cool. Eye ball about the middle of the egg, and "wap" it with the dull edged, or butter knife. Take it all the way through with one blow, two halves lay in your hand, and I scoop them out of the shell easily with a spoon. the egg is perfect, and in half, and the whole thing takes about 1 second. I love breakfast. (12/14/2006)

By Glinda

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

If you just leave them in the pan you boiled them in after draining the water, give the pan a good shake to crack all the shells. Then fill the pan with cold water and add ice or ice packs to keep the water cold. After a half hour or so the shells will literally slip off. No need to roll them on the countertops and have bits of shells everywhere to clean up. (12/14/2006)

By gardencraft

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

The gals are right. Boil them, add a bit of salt to water, remove after 10 minutes or so, run them under cold water to cool and then shake them right in the pan. If you do it for a minute or two, they actually PEEL themselves! (12/16/2006)

By

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

PERFECT HARDBOILED EGGS! "Perfect", because they practically peel themselves! This even works well with farm-fresh eggs. I've used this method for years.....works GREAT!!!!!!!!! Gently place eggs in pan of cold water. Bring water to a boil, cover with lid, remove pan from fire (leave lid on pan), and let set 20 minutes. Drain water, add very cold water (may add ice cubes), let set for 2 or 3 minutes, then drain. Replace lid. While holding lid securely in place, carefully shake the pan of eggs until eggshells are cracked into very small pieces, and eggs are either out of the shells or easily removed from them. Rinse eggs clean of all shell pieces. Use boiled eggs as desired. Note: This is a good way to boil eggs to paint for Easter, minus the shaking of the pan, of course. An added benefit is that the eggs will NOT have that ugly green ring around the outside of the yolk, leaving it much more appetizing, tasteful, and less gaseous. Hope this helps, Donna (12/16/2006)

By carnall

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

I also use this technique and it definitely works, however, an addional tip is to not to use real fresh eggs, I buy the eggs a week before I boil them, this thickens the membrane making them easier to peel. (12/22/2006)

By Teri

Salt works the best

My father always used about a tablespoon of salt in the boiling water. My wife never heard of it, but it works best of all. (04/21/2007)

By Ed

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

That is a wonderful idea! It helped me a lot with thanksgiving dinner and I always have to make deviled eggs and it has always made me mad because I have never been able to find the secret! Thank you soo much! Brittany Shelton (11/21/2007)

By Brittany Shelton

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

Draining the hot water and immediately adding cold water and ice works the best. (11/21/2007)

By Vicka

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

Draining the hot water and immediately adding cold water and ice works, then peeling them under cold running water works the best. (11/21/2007)

By Vicka

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

Draining the hot water and immediately adding cold water and ice works, then peeling them under cold running water works the best. (11/21/2007)

By Vicka

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

P.S. Adding a little vinegar to the water before boiling prevents that white mess that sometimes sticks on the pan around the water line. (11/21/2007)

By Vicka

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

That does not work. If you have very fresh eggs. (07/06/2008)

By KP

RE: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

I've always heard to run cold water over the eggs, then peel. I guess the trick is to get the eggs really cold first. Another tip for deviled eggs, if you want the yolk right in the middle of the egg, which, of course looks really nice when filling the egg afterward, is to stir the eggs while they boil, this will place the yolk in the middle while it cooks. (08/13/2008)

By Louise Snyder

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Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

What is the best way to get shells off of hard boiled eggs?

By Lana from Des Plaines, IL

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RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I like to smack them all over (against the countertop) so that the eggshell is cracked all over it. Then I peel under running water.

BUT, here is the tricky part. The fresher the eggs, the harder they are to peel! Older eggs have started to dry the least little bit, and sort of shrink away from the inside of the shell enough that peeling is a breeze. SO, if you know ahead of time when you will need them, buy your eggs a week or two ahead and leave them in your fridge until you need them--then boil them. If you're just boiling one or two for a meal, use the oldest eggs in your fridge. (02/16/2010)

By Jilson

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

When cooking the eggs, put then in cold water to start with the cold water Just barely over the eggs, then JUST bring them to boil. After coming to a full boil, quickly put a tight-fitting cover on the pan and take the pan of eggs off of the burner and let sit ONLY 15 to 20 minutes. (NO longer!) After that pour out all hot water and cover eggs with running cold water till all the eggs are cold.

To easily peel open egg shells, simply bonk only the tip of the egg (I forget if it's the bottom or the top, try both to see what works better) on the counter-top and the rest of the shell will usually come off in one piece.

* If you have time to cool the eggs in the fridge for several hours they will peel even easier! (02/16/2010)

By Cyinda

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I boil mine for about 20 minutes, then let set for another 20 minutes in the water to cool. Then drain most of the water and start shaking the eggs in the pan, this will evenly crack the shell. You can either peel them or store covered in water in the frig with the shell on (the membrane won't dry out), and they peel easily as you need them. (02/17/2010)

By dakota1275

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I use farm fresh eggs and always had this problem. I asked the farmer how he boiled his eggs. I was told to leave any, farm fresh or store-bought, eggs out of the refrigerator the night before boiling them. I cannot remember his explanation why this works.

I have done this for many years without any problems. I take the eggs out of the carton, put them in the pot without a lid and keep on the stove overnight.

Once I am ready to cook them, I add cold water and a splash of white vinegar. Adding white vinegar to the water prevents the eggs from spreading in case they happen to crack while cooking.

Bring to a boil without a lid; simmer for about one minute. Cover; remove from burner. Allow to sit undisturbed for 20 minutes. I use large or extra large eggs.

Once the time is up, drain hot water and quickly add cold water. Dump water out and add more cold water. Let set a few minutes. Drain; shake pan a bit and peel.

The time the eggs stay in the pot after boiling may vary according to the size of the egg. If an egg has a greenish tinge around the egg yolk, it has been overcooked. Everyone has their own preference on how they their eggs cooked. (02/18/2010)

By mkymlp

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

Well, as everyone else has stated on here that the older the eggs are the easier they will peel. My shortcut is to add 1cup of regular white vinegar to the water you boil them in. Boil as usual, the vinegar softens the shells and they will almost just slip off! After learning this tip from a tv cooking show~ I never boil my eggs any other way! Hope this helps =o) (02/18/2010)

By Jessica22682

RE: Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I crack the eggshell all over then carefully run a spoon between the shell and the egg. Usually comes off in one big piece. And the others are right. The older the egg, the easier it is to peel. (02/18/2010)

By catastrofy

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Peeling Egg Shells

Tips for removing egg shells from hard boiled eggs. Post your ideas.

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Removing Shells From Hard Boiled Eggs

I boiled eggs yesterday and placed them in cold water, then drained them, and placed them in refrigerator. As usual, I rolled them on the counter cracking the sides to peel. It took forever to peel each egg.