You can tell when boiled eggs are done by several methods:
- Timing and Temperature: For hard-boiled eggs, cooking times are typically around 10 to 12 minutes in boiling water. At this point, the egg yolk reaches about 160°F (71°C) or higher, indicating it is fully cooked. Softer yolks require less time, e.g., 6 to 8 minutes for soft to medium boiled eggs
- Spin Test: Place the egg on a flat surface and spin it. A cooked egg spins faster and more smoothly because the solid inside moves as one unit, while a raw egg wobbles and spins slowly due to the liquid interior
- Visual Inspection with Light: Shining a flashlight through the egg can help distinguish cooked from raw eggs, though it won't differentiate soft, medium, or hard boiled without cracking
- Knife Test (for egg dishes): In dishes like custards or quiches, inserting a knife near the center and pulling it out clean indicates doneness. For boiled eggs, this is less applicable but useful for other egg preparations
- Cooling and Peeling: After boiling, immediately cooling eggs in ice water stops cooking and makes peeling easier. Hard-boiled eggs should be cooled for at least 10-15 minutes before peeling
In summary, the most practical home methods to know if boiled eggs are done are timing the boil carefully and using the spin test to distinguish cooked from raw eggs. To know the exact doneness level (soft, medium, hard), timing the cooking is key. For hard-boiled eggs, 10-12 minutes boiling followed by ice water cooling is standard
