Why do you need an egg boiler?
The question of the necessity of the device may cause laughter among some people. Why spend money on buying an egg boiler when you can easily cook eggs in any saucepan or ladle in a couple of minutes without any problems. On the one hand, the opinion is correct, but not for gourmets. During normal cooking, they boil in water, which partially penetrates the shell. Visually this is not noticeable, but the quality of the protein deteriorates. Eggs steamed in an egg cooker are much tastier.
When cooking in an egg cooker, the shell never cracks
Another problem with conventional cooking is shell cracking. The protein partially floats into the water. The egg product becomes practically unfit for consumption. To avoid the problem, housewives add salt, vinegar to the water during cooking, or pierce the shell with a needle. Manufacturers also took this problem into account. The device was equipped with a needle for piercing the shell. Boiled eggs are guaranteed to be intact, the whites will not leak anywhere.
Simplicity and comfort of use is considered a plus. During normal cooking on the stove, steam spreads throughout the apartment, you need to watch the water so that it doesn’t “run away”, and note the time. When using an electric appliance, simply place the eggs on the egg holder, add the required amount of water, cover with a lid and turn on the selected mode.
Important! A household electrical appliance will be useful for people on a protein diet.
Denis Blishch. Private opinion
▶︎ Cool insta - no pop: nooks and crannies of Minsk, Belarus and the whole world ◀︎
What progress has come, honest mother.
Now you can cook eggs not only in a saucepan, but also in a special device - an egg cooker. I don’t know how exactly people come to buy such a strange gadget, but I can speak for myself. Once I found out about their existence, I just became curious. Is it convenient to use? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Finally, how does it all work? I began to think about an egg boiler and even shared my thoughts with my wife, but she strictly forbade me to clutter up the kitchen with yet another appliance, so I had to abandon the purchase. But no one is stopping you from giving an egg boiler. So I became the owner of this thing for my birthday. And in the post - the whole truth about its use.
As expected, there are very few egg cookers on the market. Approximately in the same quantity as yogurt makers, ice cream makers and bread makers (my future arsenal) - literally a dozen models, differing mainly in body material, power and batch size of eggs loaded inside. I got a Swedish-made Zauber-910, valued at 1.2 - 1.5 million rubles by Belarusian stores selling it. You can buy an egg boiler much cheaper, but you should know what a good friend I have who gives such gifts.
An egg boiler...looks like an egg! Well, or a kettle for a couple of cups (here and below the photos are not mine).
Its power, by the way, is only 350 W, which is significantly less than a standard electric kettle. Therefore, it would seem that the device is quite economical, but that is until you start cooking. It cooks noticeably longer than boiling a liter of water. However, we will return to cooking times later.
Let's figure out what's inside. Actually, the stand itself with the power cord. It is also a container for water, which we will pour before cooking. Next is a holder for eggs, in my case you can install 7 of them. A measuring cup with a needle (this is necessary!), two containers for frying eggs and two stands for the finished product. On top there is a lid in the shape of a metal egg.
How does an egg boiler work? The device can cook eggs in three types of readiness: soft, medium and hard, which corresponds to our soft-boiled, pouched and hard-boiled eggs. The degree of readiness is regulated by the amount of water poured into the bowl under the eggs - they are steamed!
To prevent the product from cracking, it must be pierced in the ass with a needle, and only then placed in the holder. The amount of water is also affected by the number of eggs: on the measuring cup, in addition to indicators for the degree of boiling, there are divisions for the volume of the batch. For example, “3 medium eggs” is one quantity, “5 hard eggs” is another.
Eggs need to be washed before boiling, because this is not a saucepan of water. And in general, Belarusian poultry farms have not yet learned to produce perfectly clean eggs, and this is dangerous.
The photo shows beautiful eggs
So, let's cook. Place the batch in the holder by piercing each egg with a needle, having previously selected the mode and amount of water. Turn it on... and wait The device will turn off after the water has completely evaporated, which will give a clear signal. In this model, the signal for some reason looks like a police siren.
5 eggs in the medium mode were cooked for exactly 11 minutes, which is approximately the same as cooking in a saucepan. Immediately after cooking, I rinsed the product with cold water to achieve the easiest separation of the shell from the protein (although, in theory, steaming should save you from this step, but no) and got ready to eat.
Fact: the eggs were cooked a little deeper than “in the bag”. Achieving an even level turned out to be simple: pour water until the risk of “3 medium eggs”, but put 5 pieces in the holder.
Three stages of the egg visually
Maybe it was my imagination, of course, but the eggs turned out to be amazingly delicious. Just “mmm” - tender, soft, it’s a pleasure to eat a couple of these with coarse sea salt.
The device is funny, nothing more.
It cooks relatively quickly and effortlessly, good for preparing for cutting a bowl of Olivier and preparing for a stop for mushroom picking. ▶︎ Unexpected nooks and crannies of Minsk, strange finds, funny details. Telegram channel “Minsk and Minsk resident”. ◀︎
How does an electric egg cooker work?
To understand the operation of an electrical appliance, you need to know its structure. All models consist of the following main components:
- Thermally insulated housing equipped with a lid.
- Removable egg tray. The number of cells depends on the model.
- Heating element – heating element.
- Control Panel.
Depending on the model, additional functionality may be present.
All egg cookers are equipped with nests for placing eggs
The simple operation of an electrical appliance comes from electricity. The heating element heats the water to the desired temperature. The resulting steam warms up the eggs placed in the cells of the egg holder. They do not crack from heating, since they are first pierced with a needle that comes with the egg boiler. Cooking lasts exactly as long as programmed by the selected mode. When the egg cooker with automatic shutdown finishes its work, it will notify you with a signal. At the same time, the power supply to the heating element is turned off.
Important! After cooking, the device must be rinsed.
Types of electric egg cookers
If we consider the types of electrical household appliances in general terms, then in terms of design they are all almost the same. Only the characteristics, design and volume of the downloaded product differ. There is an electric egg cooker for 2, 3, 8 and even 16 eggs.
However, according to the type of product preparation, household appliances are divided into three types:
- Electric models, operating autonomously from a 220 volt network, are equipped with a heating element - heating element. He boils water poured into a pan. The eggs are placed on the cells of the egg holder located in the upper part of the device.
The electric egg cooker is equipped with a heating element - The structure of an egg cooker, designed for cooking egg dishes in the microwave, is similar to the electric model. The difference is the absence of a heating element. Autonomous egg boiler for
The model for cooking egg dishes in the microwave does not have a heating element
Forms for cooking egg dishes without shells are plastic containers with lids. Pour the whites and yolks inside or separately, add spices to taste, and throw them into boiling water.
Plastic molds help to cook an egg dish without shells with the addition of spices
Each type of egg boiler has its pros and cons. If you need an autonomous household appliance, then the choice should be made in favor of an electric model.
How to choose an electric egg cooker
If a person likes to eat eggs every day, you should think about purchasing an egg boiler. Naturally, it is better to give preference to the electric model. However, their variety is so great that it is sometimes difficult to make the right choice. In order not to make a mistake, you need to start the review with the technical characteristics.
The first thing they look at is the number of cells in the egg holder. If the family is large, then you need an egg cooker that can cook a lot of product at a time. Preference is given to electric models with 7 or 8 cells. For average egg consumption, an electric device with 3-4 cells is suitable. For a person who rarely eats 1 egg, an electric egg cooker with one cell is enough. However, it is important to know that 1 egg can be boiled even in an egg cooker with a large number of holders.
It is optimal to purchase an electric egg cooker with deep holders so that large eggs can be installed
The power of most electric models varies between 200-400 W. The indicator directly depends on the number of holders. The more eggs you can load, the more powerful the heating element must be in order for the product to cook well.
The service life of an electrical product largely depends on the material of the housing. Plastic is considered the cheapest and most common option. However, when heated, it gradually loses its shape and sometimes emits an unpleasant plastic smell. Stainless steel is the best option, but the cost of such an electric egg cooker is high. Sometimes there are models made of thermal glass. The material is good, but it can break from an accidental impact.
The control panel of most electric models consists of a power button and an indicator light. When the product is ready, an alert will appear in the form of a light or sound signal. Electric egg cookers with a timer are considered advanced, allowing you to cook the product in several ways.
Important! Among the additional accessories, egg cookers are equipped with trays for preparing omelettes, poached eggs, or simply steamed eggs.
The most delicate omelet in the microwave
In the microwave you can not only boil an egg, but also prepare a delicious breakfast in the form of an omelet in just 3 minutes.
Preparation:
- Break 2-3 eggs into a bowl, add salt and pepper, and whisk with a whisk or fork.
- Add 5-6 tablespoons of milk to the eggs and mix.
- Pour the resulting mixture into special molds or bowls, which we grease with oil.
- Sprinkle cheese on top and place in the oven for 3 minutes; if the omelette turns out runny, then add another minute (power 850 W).
How to use an egg boiler
Using an electric household appliance is no more difficult than boiling eggs in a saucepan. The first step is to pierce the shell with a needle, otherwise it will crack due to pressure. The eggs are placed on the holder. Using a measuring cup, take the required amount of water and pour it into the tray of the electrical appliance.
The amount of water is measured using a measuring cup
It is important to know that you cannot pour water at random. The duration of operation of the electric egg cooker and the degree of readiness of the product depend on its quantity. After pouring water, cover the lid. The cord of the electrical device is connected to the outlet, and the start button is turned on. The egg cooker will operate until all the water has boiled away, after which it will automatically turn off.
If we consider the operation of microwave models, it is similar. The difference is that there is no need to connect to the electrical network. The product will be prepared due to the operation of the microwave oven and the parameters set on it.
Thanks to additional accessories, the functionality of the electrical device is expanded. Housewives prepare delicious omelettes and jellied eggs. Any electric egg cooker works on the principle of a double boiler. If desired, it can be used to warm up food in the tray.
Cooking a hard-boiled egg in the shell
In order to hard-boil eggs, you need to prepare dishes for the microwave and remove the product itself from the cold in advance. Eggs must be washed well to prevent infection with salmonellosis; bacteria can be on the shell and penetrate inside when the egg is broken.
Place eggs in a bowl; if there is more than one, place them in a row, leaving a small distance between them. Pour in water so that the eggs completely drown in it; if they “peek out” from the liquid, they may explode. You can use hot water, this will cook the eggs even faster.
Now add a spoonful of salt into the bowl with eggs and water, which will also prevent the eggs from exploding. We put it in the microwave for 6 - 12 minutes, here everything depends on the power of the device itself and on the size of the chicken product. Well, then we proceed in the same way as usual, take out the eggs, put them in ice water and cool.
Rating of the best egg cookers
Choosing a model is not always easy for the average buyer. Manufacturers offer a wide variety of electrical appliances for boiling eggs, differing in design and characteristics. A rating based on reviews will help simplify the task.
GEMLUX GL-EB28
The capacious two-tier egg cooker Gemlux GL EB28 allows you to boil 16 eggs at a time. The electric model is suitable for a large family when preparing salads for a feast. The body is made of stainless steel. Removable plastic covers. There are no additional modes, but they are not needed here, since it is almost impossible to achieve the same result when boiling a large number of eggs. The timer allows you to set the cooking time up to 35 minutes. After all the water has boiled away from the pan, it automatically turns off.
Large electric egg cooker holds 16 eggs at a time
CASO ED 10
The multifunctional egg boiler steamer Caso ED 10 is an analogue of the electric model Caso E 9. The only difference is the presence of a second tier, which allows you to steam other dishes. There are a total of 4 trays installed inside the case: 2 on the lower and 2 on the upper tier. You can boil 8 eggs at one time. The power of the heating element is 400 W. The metal case has a control panel: a power button and a timer that allows you to set an interval of up to 40 minutes.
Multifunctional appliance allows you to steam fish and vegetable dishes
WMF KITCHENminis
If you need a small electric model, the WMF egg cooker is an excellent choice. The device has a stylish metal body. The only control is the start button. Rubberized legs will never scratch the tabletop. After the water has boiled away, it switches off automatically.
Compact model takes up little space in the kitchen
HOMECLUB ZDQ-806
The Homeclub ZDQ 806 egg cooker is extremely rare, but the electric model has good characteristics. The electrical appliance is equipped with a 500 W heating element. The control has a timer. The auto shut-off function is activated when there is no water in the pan.
The Chinese model is rarely found on sale, but has good characteristics
Profi Cook PC-EK 1124, Silver Black
The Profi Cook PC EK 1124 stainless steel egg cooker has nothing superfluous. The only controls are the start button with blue backlight. A sound signal indicates the product is ready. The power of the heating element is 300 W. The electric egg cooker is designed for 3 eggs and is equipped with a removable holder. There is protection against overheating.
A simple model in a metal case is designed for boiling 3 eggs
Reviews of electric egg cookers
Lyudmila Nikolaevna Garmash, 47 years old, Novosibirsk,
bought a cheap egg cooker, made in China, for 7 eggs. Works fine. I'm not such a gourmet that I can subtly evaluate taste. For me these are ordinary boiled eggs, nothing special. It's just convenient to cook.
Anna Stepanovna Kovtun, 51 years old, Moscow
As a housewife, I can say that an egg boiler is a convenient assistant in the kitchen. I bought a spacious model for 16 eggs. It is especially convenient when you are expecting a lot of guests. While I’m preparing other dishes on the stove, the eggs for the salad are already boiled.
How to cook soft-boiled
It is quite difficult to boil an egg with a coagulated soft white and a runny yolk, even on the stove, but let’s try to find out how this can be done in the microwave. It is better to boil soft-boiled eggs in the microwave one at a time and for this we also use dishes designed for microwaves.
Place an egg in a container, pour in hot water, but not just boiled water, add a spoonful of salt and put it in the oven for 5 minutes if the water is hot and for 7 - 8 minutes if the water is cold. You need to boil a soft-boiled egg at a power no higher than 400 W.
