Q&A for How to Poach an Egg

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  • Question
    How do I get that perfect mounded shape with a poached egg?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The fresher the egg, the neater the poached egg will appear. Older eggs tend to fall apart in the poaching water. If you want that lovely mounded shape that stays neat, then use fresh eggs. If you're unsure how fresh your eggs are, check out the wikiHow: How to Tell if Your Eggs Are Fresh .
  • Question
    How long do I need to cook the egg for so it's properly poached?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The article suggests 8 minutes is a good time. However, you may prefer the yolk to be runny, and if so, cook for 4–5 minutes and as long as the egg white is set, the poached egg will be ready.
  • Question
    Can I refrigerate poached eggs?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, poached eggs can be refrigerated. Place the eggs into a bowl of icy cool water and cover the bowl with a lid or wrap. Then carefully place the bowl into the refrigerator. They can be kept there for up to 1 day (24 hours). To prepare for eating, heat the water and drop in for a minute, then remove and serve.
  • Question
    How long? All directions I've seen never say how long for a runny yolk or a well done for that matter.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Try 4–5 minutes for a runny yolk (or just until you see the white of the egg set) and about 8 minutes for a well done poached egg.
  • Question
    Is it better for the eggs to be at room temperature or straight from the refrigerator for poaching?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The eggs will poach a lot better and more evenly at room temperature than cold from the refrigerator. If you keep your eggs refrigerated, remove the ones you're going to poach about 1/2 an hour before use, then they'll be sufficiently at room temperature to poach perfectly. Just be sure they're also fresh!
  • Question
    How many eggs can I poach at a time?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It is best to poach no more than 2 eggs at a time in an average sized pan. In a commercial kitchen, they'll have different equipment that makes it easier to poach many eggs at once.
  • Question
    How do I prevent my eggs from being together when I spin the water?
    Community Answer
    Cook them one at a time. Or, swirl for the first egg and not the additional eggs if cooking together.
  • Question
    There was a brown ring in the shell after boiling and peeling the egg. Is it safe to eat?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    If you're talking about the grayish-green ring around the yolk of hard boiled eggs, it probably because they weren't cooked right. The discoloration is evidence that the egg was cooked too long. That being said, they're still quite edible.
  • Question
    The eggs keep sticking to the bottom and get little holes in them, triggering my trypophobia. What can I do to prevent this?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Try swirling the water around rapidly before gently placing the egg in the water. That should help. Also, be aware that fresh eggs work better than older ones. If you have an older egg, place it in a fine mesh strainer and let some of the albumen (white) drip out. Then use the remaining egg and white. You'll find you get a beautiful poached egg with the white completely surrounding the yellow. But like anything, making the perfect poached egg takes time.
  • Question
    How long do I cook the egg if I want the yolk hard?
    Community Answer
    It should take three or four minutes for a hard yolk in a poached egg.
  • Question
    What is going to happen if the egg white breaks in the water?
    Jstime
    Community Answer
    If the egg white breaks, that means there is little vinegar. Just put a little bit more vinegar into the pan.
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