The boiled egg is one of those foods that will always have a place in the American diet. It’s an easy-to-cook treat and a fairly cheap one at that. There are however some tips and tricks that can make this a much easier process than it already is.
Table of contents
- Why do you put baking soda in with boiled eggs?
- Do you add baking soda or baking powder when boiling eggs?
- How much baking soda do I add to water for boiling eggs?
- Do you put eggs in cold water after boiling?
- Do you boil water before adding eggs?
- What is the fastest way to peel a hard boiled egg?
- How many minutes does it take to hard boil an egg?
- How long do hard boiled eggs last?
- Why is salt added to boiling eggs?
- Why poke holes in eggs before boiling?
- Conclusion
Why do you put baking soda in with boiled eggs?
The reason is that it makes the eggs far easier to peel after boiling. The baking soda raises the PH of the water and lends itself to easier peeling. No more shell sticking to the eggs when trying to peel them!
Do you add baking soda or baking powder when boiling eggs?
From all accounts, it’s best to add baking soda to the water when trying out this boiled egg secret. Baking powder on the other hand may be useful when trying to create fluffy omelets. But that’s a whole other article.
Related: Baking Soda in Hamburger Patties

How much baking soda do I add to water for boiling eggs?
About half a teaspoon should be plenty. It really doesn’t take much at all and the result is quite amazing.
Do you put eggs in cold water after boiling?
Yes. The best result is achieved by putting them into very cold water after boiling. We want to stop the cooking process as soon as possible. I usually just add a few ice cubes to a bowl of water to get the desired affect.
Do you boil water before adding eggs?
According to my own tests, it doesnt really matter. Some will say boiling first is the best option, just make sure you be careful when placing in your eggs, and use an egg holder if you have one.
What is the fastest way to peel a hard boiled egg?
The secret starts before you have even started boiling the eggs, It’s the baking soda trick detailed above. After you have finished boiling them, put the eggs directly into cold water. Once they’re cool you simply give the eggs a crack on a hard surface and peel with ease.
How many minutes does it take to hard boil an egg?
It depends on your desired doneness. From 5 to 10 minutes. With 5 mins being a runnier softer egg and 10 minutes being quite a well-done egg. My perfect boiled egg takes around 7 minutes to boil. It’s right in the middle and just perfect!
How long do hard boiled eggs last?
The U.S food and drug administration recommends that it’s best to consume hard-boiled eggs within a week of cooking. It’s best to store the eggs in the fridge in the egg carton after they have cooled. And if in doubt – throw it out! Better to be safe than sorry.
Why is salt added to boiling eggs?
Salt is added to increase the boiling point of the water and to help the egg white solidify faster. The boiling time is still the same, but this technique can help to prevent over cooking the yolk.
Why poke holes in eggs before boiling?
It is thought that this will make peeling the egg easier after boiling. The egg will separate from the shell and make the process a breeze. The difficult part is actually poking the holes in the shell without cracking or getting egg whites everywhere. For this, it’s best to use a thumbtack or a pin.
Conclusion
There you have it. 10 common boiled egg questions answered. Who new there was so much that goes into boiling eggs. Take these tips and increase your boiled egg game instantly.