Download Article
Perfectly peel stuck on shells and prevent future difficulties
Download Article
If you are having trouble peeling your hard-boiled eggs, you can easily use water to help remove the shell. Try storing your eggs in cold water for about 1 hour, and hold your egg under running water when you peel it. To prevent shells from sticking in the future, try using either vinegar and salt or baking soda when boiling your eggs. With a bit of lubrication, you can easily remove even the most stubborn egg shells.
Steps
-
Fill 2/3 of a plastic container with cold water. Turn on your faucet and make sure your water is cool. Place a plastic container under the faucet until it is about ⅔ of the way full. Then, turn off your water. [1] X Research source
- Eggs peel easily when they are cold because the whites of the eggs constrict away from the shell.
-
Place your eggs in the water so they are totally submerged. After you boil your eggs and let them cool for about 30 minutes - 1 hour, you can store them in water so the shell easily peels off. You can fill your plastic container up with your eggs, or grab another if you have too many eggs for 1 container. No need to put a lid on the eggs! They will cool fine without a lid. [2] X Research source- You can pour out some of water if it is close to overflowing.
Advertisement -
Store your eggs in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. The cool temperature of the refrigerator will chill your water, making it easy to peel even difficult eggs. They should easily peel off after about 1 hour. You can leave them in your fridge for up to 3-4 days. [3] X Research source
- Storing eggs in cold water helps the egg separate from the shell, so you can easily peel it away.
-
Peel your eggs using your hands and remove the shell entirely. After your eggs sit in cold water for a bit, take them out of the fridge and pour out the water from your container. Tap the egg with a spoon or on your counter to break the shell, and chip away the pieces using your fingers. [4] X Research source
- Once you peel off some of the shell, you can easily remove the remaining layer.
Advertisement
-
Turn on your faucet and let cold water run for about 15 seconds. Putting your eggs in the cold constrict the whites of the eggs, making it easier to remove the shell. To use the cold water, let your water run for a few seconds so the temperature can adjust. [5] X Research source
- Your water does not have to be ice cold, but the colder the water, the easier it may be to peel away the shell.
- It is helpful to wash any dishes in your sink and wipe your sink with a soapy sponge.
-
Hold your egg under running water for 5-15 seconds. Cup your hand around your hard-boiled egg, and place it under the running water. Let the water run over your egg for 5-15 seconds or so. [6] X Research source
- You can leave it under the running water for more or less time if you’d like. Holding it under the water helps the egg adjust to the new temperature.
-
Tap the bottom of your egg 1-3 times on your sink to start your peel. After your egg soaks under the running water for a few seconds, tap it a few times on your sink. It is best to tap your egg at the bottom for best results. This breaks the shell so you can easily peel it away. [7] X Research source
- Alternatively, you can tap it on the side of your faucet instead. Take it out from under the water, and tap the bottom of your egg on the top of your faucet.
-
Peel the egg starting from the bottom. The base of the egg is slightly wider than the tip, and it is easier to peel since there is more surface area. Remove the shell where you made your dents, and pull back on the shell using your finger. Do this as running water pours on your egg. [8] X Research source
- Since the shell should easily slip off in the water, you should be able to easily peel even difficult hard boiled eggs.
-
Collect the shells and dispose of them in your compost bin or trash can. Turn off your water, and place your egg on a plate or in a bowl. Then, scoop up the eggshell pieces from your sink. Eggshells make great compost, so toss them in your bin! If you don’t have a compost bin, you can simply throw them in the trash.
- It is best to use a collector at the bottom of your sink so the shells do not go down your drain.
- If you have a garbage disposal, you can turn it on to get rid of any shells that fall down your drain.
Advertisement
-
Boil your eggs in 1 ⁄ 4 c (59 mL) vinegar and 1 tsp (4.9 mL) salt. Use medium heat to bring your water to a boil, and pour in your vinegar and salt. You can pour in your ingredients when the water starts to bubble. [9] X Research source
- These ingredients help separate the shell from the egg so you can easily remove them, even from difficult eggs.
-
Try adding baking soda to your boiling water if you don't have vinegar. Rather than using vinegar and salt, you can also use baking soda to make it easier to peel your eggs. Fill your pot up with about 1 quart (0.95 L) of water, and add 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of baking soda once the water starts to boil. [10] X Research source
- The baking soda gets absorbed into your eggs, loosening the bond between the egg white and membrane of the shell.
-
Pierce your egg with a pin before you boil it so it is easier to peel. Before you boil your eggs, poke a hole in them so more water can absorb into the egg, making them easier to peel. You can use a push pin or a sewing pin to make your holes. Hold your egg in 1 hand, and insert your pin with gentle pressure to pierce through the shell. Then, gently place them inside your boiling water. [11] X Research source
- Extra water in your eggs helps separate the egg white from the shell membrane.
- Poke your hole with care to prevent shattering the eggshell.
-
Run the eggs under cool water to prevent them from overcooking. Eggs can continue cooking even after you remove them from the heat. To stop their cooking, place them in cold water immediately after you boil your eggs . If you overcook your egg, the egg will start to expand from excess water, making it more difficult to remove the shell.
- Alternatively, fill a bowl with ice and place your eggs inside the bowl. Then, place the bowl inside the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionHow to prepare to peel a carton of eggs at one time?Karley SnyderCommunity AnswerBoil 1 quart - 2 quarts of water in a pot big enough for all of your eggs. When the water starts to boil, add your eggs to the pot. Once they boil, you can store all of your eggs together in the fridge or cool them down using water or an ice bath.
-
QuestionWhat if I don't have a microwave?Community AnswerYou should not use a microwave to peel eggs. This can result in pieces of the shell injuring you or damaging the microwave. Always use boiling water on a stovetop to make hard boiled eggs.
-
QuestionWhat if you boil the eggs the night before?Karley SnyderCommunity AnswerIf you boil your eggs the night before, you can easily stick them in the refrigerator overnight! Then, when you are ready to boil them, your shells should easily peel off since your eggs are already at a cool temperature. To make the shells even easier to peel off, consider storing them in a tub of water.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Reader Videos
Submit a Video Tip!
Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!
Submit a Video
Coming Soon!
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Warnings
- Be careful of sharp pieces when handling your eggs. Sometimes the sharp corners can scratch your hands or poke your fingers.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/yDaMDfHO3Eg?t=15s
- ↑ https://youtu.be/yDaMDfHO3Eg?t=22s
- ↑ https://youtu.be/yDaMDfHO3Eg?t=29s
- ↑ https://greatist.com/eat/how-to-peel-hard-boiled-eggs
- ↑ https://www.today.com/food/how-peel-hard-boiled-eggs-t11861
- ↑ https://www.today.com/food/how-peel-hard-boiled-eggs-t11861
- ↑ https://www.today.com/food/how-peel-hard-boiled-eggs-t11861
- ↑ https://www.today.com/food/how-peel-hard-boiled-eggs-t11861
- ↑ https://www.forkly.com/food-hacks/use-vinegar-to-peel-hard-boiled-eggs-with-ease/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To peel a difficult hard-boiled egg, hold the egg under cold, running water for 5-15 seconds to help the egg whites constrict and make the shell easier to remove. Tap the bottom of the egg a few times on your sink or counter to break the shell, then hold your egg under running water again and start peeling the shell from the bottom. If you’re still having trouble, soak your egg in cold water in the refrigerator for up to an hour to loosen the shell even more. If you want to learn more, like how to poke a hole in the shell to make it easier, keep reading!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 758,956 times.
Advertisement
"Loved the info on the refrigerated eggs."
