How to find out if an egg has a cracked shell before boiling it?
The cracks are practically invisible to naked eye but while boiling, they spew out all the yolk into the water creating a lot of mess. I'm wondering if I could test an egg before boiling it, so I could use the cracked ones for making omelettes, for example.
Best Answer
The main reason eggs crack while boiling isn't because they are already cracked, but because of the sudden change in temperature from cold to hot. The same thing can happen to glass or metal, or practically any substance. (I've actually broken a glass coffee table top once by setting a pie pan out of the oven on top of it to cool... after a couple minutes, the top crashed to the ground, giving me quite a start!)
Some suggestions to prevent eggs from cracking while boiling can be found here. A summary is:
- Let the eggs warm to room temperature on the counter for 20 minutes before boiling.
- Put the eggs in the pan before heating the water, and raise the water temperature slowly (i.e. don't set the heat to 'High')
- Add vinegar or salt to the water to help heal any small cracks.
- Cook the eggs slowly.
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How do you know if an egg was cracked before boiling?
Appearance and Usability of Cracked EggsThe whites of cracked eggs will protrude through the shell while boiling, creating a bulging mass of egg white.Is it safe to boil a slightly cracked egg?
Be sure to cook eggs thoroughly, with both the white and yolk firm, to a temperature high enough to destroy bacteria that might be present in the egg yolk or white. About the only thing you can't do with those cracked eggs is to boil them. Casseroles, omelets, scrambled eggs, quiche and frittatas are all great options.How do you test if an egg is cracked?
To check the state of an egg, crack it onto a plate and look carefully at the colour and thickness of the white and yolk. A fresh egg should have a bright yellow or orange yolk and a thickish white that doesn't spread too far. If it's off, the yolk will be flatter and discoloured and the egg white will be far runnier.Can I boil an egg with a cracked shell?
Bacteria can enter eggs through cracks in the shell. Never purchase cracked eggs. However, if eggs crack on the way home from the store, break them into a clean container, cover tightly, keep refrigerated, and use within two days. If eggs crack during hard cooking, they are safe.NO PEELING EGG SHELL HACK! How to Remove Boiled Egg Shell WITHOUT Any Peeling! (No-Peel Egg Trick)
More answers regarding how to find out if an egg has a cracked shell before boiling it?
Answer 2
If I think an egg is cracked before I boil it, I make sure to add it to boiling water rather than letting it warm up with the water as it's heating. I give it a quick roll in the water with a spoon to make sure it is heated all round. This cooks the outside of the egg rapidly, sealing the crack immediately. no leakage. When you add a cracked egg to cool water, it has plenty of time to seep out uncooked.
Answer 3
Also the eggs can crack while the water is boiling when they "dance" up and down and thus hit the saucepan-ground many times. A solution to this is to make sure you have enough water so that the eggs don't hit the ground when the water is boiling.
Answer 4
Drop the egg on it's side on a hard surface like your counter top from a very short distance. 1 or 2 centimeters. If the egg is not cracked, it will bounce slightly. Repeat this 2 or 3 times with a different (lateral) side facing the surface. If there are any cracks, the egg will not bounce.
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