Early in the morning, have breakfast shortly after getting up. Who doesn’t like to eat an egg or two for breakfast? Maybe you’ve also had the experience of boiling eggs in hot water in the pot and finding them too hard or too soft. If you’re looking for a remedy, an egg boiler might help. Or maybe you’re wondering which eggs are the best or most sustainable. We have compiled information on different types of eggs and chicken farming.
In our big egg boiler test 2023 we introduce you to different egg boilers. We show you what is important when choosing the right egg boiler. We give you answers to questions like: Which egg cookers are suitable for a single household, which for a multi-person household? What special features are there in egg cookers? What alternatives are there to the egg boiler?
Summary
- An egg cooker is a kitchen appliance that allows you to cook eggs with little effort in a short time. This saves additional water and electricity.
- Egg cookers differ mainly in the way they cook eggs and are divided into electric egg cookers, microwave egg cookers and glass egg cookers.
- Electric egg cookers are particularly suitable for a large household, as you can cook many eggs at the same time. Microwave and glass egg cookers, on the other hand, are more suitable for a single household where only a small amount of eggs are eaten.
The Best Egg Boiler: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying an egg boiler
Things to consider before buying an egg boiler
Egg capacity
If you live alone or with two people in a household, you will need fewer eggs than if you live with a family or have breakfast with friends. And because egg cooking can use a lot of energy and water, it’s important that you choose the optimal egg capacity. Microwave egg cookers tend to be designed for a small number of eggs.
Cookers can hold up to four eggs. An electronic egg cooker is also suitable for making a larger quantity at once, depending on its dimensions. Egg cookers can usually cook between one and seven eggs at a time. However, there are also egg cookers that are two-tiered and can thus even cook up to 14 eggs at the same time.
Design
Egg cookers are often used for cooking eggs and therefore no kitchen can be imagined without the utensil, so the design plays an important role. The design is primarily divided into two elements:
- The colour of the kitchen gadget
- The shape of the egg boiler
Most egg cookers are available in white or black, but if you prefer a different colour, you can also get certain egg cookers in grey, pink, green or a combination of several colours. This means that the products are in no way inferior to each other, at least visually, and can therefore be adapted to practically any kitchen style.
As far as the shape of the egg cooker is concerned, you basically have the choice between a modern design and egg cookers with an unusual look. If you choose an item for the microwave, you will often get an egg cooker in the egg style, while electric egg cookers are usually more modern. In both cases, there are also cookers that focus on a different line design.
The glass egg cooker from Jenaer Glas, on the other hand, has a more timeless design – the choice is yours. Egg cookers are primarily made of three materials:
- Plastic
- Glass
- Stainless steel
Electric egg cookers range from simple plastic housings to highly processed stainless steel. The devices with a simple plastic housing usually do not have as long a lifespan as highly processed stainless steel egg cookers. However, the price of well-made cookers is usually much higher than that of plastic egg cookers.
The glass egg cooker is made of glass, as the name suggests. The glass layer is heat-resistant up to 300 °C and the glass surface makes it easy to clean.
What are the advantages of an egg boiler over cooking in a pot of water?
- Easy and quick preparation
- Less water and electricity consumption
- Precise egg hardness
Cooking in a pot is not always easy. If the temperature is too high, the eggs can become too hard; if the temperature and time are too low, they can become soft and mushy. An egg cooker is ideal for preparing eggs and ensures that the eggs are always cooked to the individual taste.
When it comes to water and electricity consumption, an egg cooker is also more efficient than cooking the eggs in a pot. A medium pot needs at least 500 millilitres of water to cover all the eggs. Egg cookers need at most a fraction of that.
The more eggs in the electronic egg boiler, the less water is needed. The more eggs in the egg cooker, the less space there is for water and the steam needed to cook the eggs. Due to the faster cooking time and the smaller amount of water, the egg boiler also has a lower demand in the area of electricity consumption.
Price
Simply constructed electronic devices start at around eight euros and are thus a really inexpensive way to have your eggs prepared. You can currently buy stainless steel products from 16 euros. The McMicro microwave egg cooker for about 13 euros is also suitable as a brunch gag. These prices are also reasonable for less frequent use.
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Electric egg cooker | approx. 8-70 € |
| Microwave egg cooker | approx. 3-45 € |
| Glass egg cooker | approx. 12-18 € |
The glass egg cooker from Jenaer Glas is available for about 12 to 18 euros, depending on the size. This is another inexpensive way for you to cook eggs at home without having to spend a lot of money.
Decision: What types of egg cookers are there and which is the right one for you?
Basically, you can distinguish between three different types of egg cookers:
- Electronic egg cooker
- Microwave egg cooker
- Glass egg cooker
Each of these egg cookers differs slightly in how the eggs are prepared, which brings individual advantages and disadvantages. Whether a soft-boiled breakfast egg for Sunday or rather a hard-boiled egg for the sandwich at lunch – egg cookers help to cook the egg according to individual needs. But not only that: egg cookers also save time and water compared to traditional egg cooking.
In the following section, we would like to help you find out which type of egg cooker is best for you. We will introduce the three types of egg cookers mentioned above and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
How does the electronic egg boiler work and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The special advantage of the electronic egg cooker is the hardness grading of the eggs. Here you can set exactly how hard or soft you would like your egg to be. An electronic egg cooker consists of a heating device in which the water is heated, an egg holder in which the eggs are placed and a lid that closes the eggs in the device and has an opening at the top for the steam to escape.
Depending on the desired hardness of the eggs, the amount of water specified by the manufacturer is poured into the container below the egg holder. The appliance is then switched on and the water is heated. The heated water causes steam to form and this cooks the eggs until the desired degree of hardness is reached.
The egg boiler is easy to use. It is first plugged into the wall socket. Most electronic egg cookers have a power of between 300 and 400 watts. Use the water measuring cup to pour the recommended amount of water into the egg cooker and pierce the eggs briefly before cooking, otherwise they may burst. Now enter the desired degree of egg hardness and off you go. Electronic egg cookers differ mainly in the way they control the cooking time:
- Egg cooker with timer
- Cooking time via the amount of water
Egg cookers with integrated timer adjust the eggs to the desired degree of hardness to the minute. Due to the timer, the amount of water remains the same and is not dependent on the selected cooking point.
With the other variant, the cooking time runs over a certain amount of water. The user has to fill water into the egg boiler depending on the number of eggs and the degree of hardness. The more eggs are cooked, the less water is needed. As soon as the water has condensed, the eggs are ready.
How does the microwave egg cooker work when preparing eggs and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The particular advantage of the microwave egg cooker is that it requires little effort. All you need is some water and a microwave. In principle, the microwave egg cooker works in exactly the same way as the electronic egg cooker. The microwave radiation heats the water. Steam is produced, which heats the egg until the microwave switches off.
The microwave egg cooker is filled with a little water, the egg is placed in the aluminium container, the microwave is switched on and the egg is ready in less than ten minutes.
Compared to the electric egg cooker, the microwave egg cooker can be purchased at very beginner-friendly prices. The appliances are small and therefore well suited for travelling, as it fits in almost any pocket. In addition, it is easy to operate.
Due to its compact size, the model is easy to clean in just a few steps. The microwave egg cooker is particularly suitable for a single household, as cooking just one egg can save a lot of water and energy compared to other egg cooking methods.
How are eggs made in the glass egg cooker and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
With this kitchen gadget you can not only cook eggs, but you also have the possibility to make pies or desserts. The egg is placed raw in the egg cooker. Then the lid and the handle of the cooker are put on. The egg cooker is then placed in boiling water up to the brim. Remove the egg boiler from the water after three to six minutes – leave to cool in the cold water and it is ready.
The elegant and simple shape of the glass egg cooker offers many possibilities for serving a boiled egg in a different way, taking individual preferences into account. It is particularly suitable for adding ingredients such as cheese or meat. The glass egg cooker is very easy to clean in the dishwasher.
Buying criteria: Use these factors to compare and evaluate egg cookers
In the following, we would like to show you which factors you can use to compare and evaluate egg cookers. This will make it easier for you to decide whether a certain product is suitable for you or not. In summary, these are:
- Capacity and frequency of use
- Weight and size
- Power
- Colour, material and design
- Ease of cleaning
- Control of cooking time
- Audible signal
- Extra features and functions
In the following paragraphs you can read about the individual purchase criteria and how you can classify them.
Capacity and frequency of use
The capacity and frequency of use, i.e. of the electric, microwave or glass egg cooker, have already been discussed in detail above. Nevertheless, we would like to point out once again that the capacity and frequency of use are probably the most important criteria when buying an egg boiler, because they influence the decision significantly.
So first ask yourself how many eggs you cook per use and how often you would use an egg boiler. If you only eat one or two eggs most of the time, the microwave egg cooker and the glass egg cooker are particularly suitable for you. However, if you have a large egg capacity, the electric egg cooker is a good alternative.
If you cook eggs very often and live in a small household, the microwave egg cooker is the best choice for you. However, if you don’t use the egg cooker often and like to add ingredients to the eggs, and if you also like to make desserts or pies, the glass egg cooker is a good choice for you.
Size and weight of the egg boiler
An egg boiler always takes up space in the kitchen or cupboard – don’t forget that. Depending on how often you cook eggs, you will want to give it more or less space in your home. The most space-saving is a simple microwave egg cooker or the small glass egg cooker from Jenaer Glas
. The electric egg cookers take up the most space and are relatively wide and heavy, but they are usually stylish and elegant, which deserves a special place. Most egg cookers take up about 18 x 19 centimetres of floor space and are between 7 and 18 centimetres high. Most microwave egg cookers require a footprint of about 14 x 14 centimetres and are between seven and 16 centimetres high. The glass egg cooker, on the other hand, requires less space. A footprint of 10 x 10 centimetres is sufficient.
Due to the electronics and the higher degree of professionalism in egg cooking, the microwave egg cooker has the heaviest weight. The weight is between 600 and 900 grams. The glass egg cooker, on the other hand, weighs only 222 grams. The microwave egg cooker is the lightest, weighing between 60 and 170 grams.
Power
The power of an egg boiler is usually between 300 and 500 watts. Compared to traditional egg cooking in a pot, this is only a fraction of the energy needed. The more professional the egg cooker, the less electricity is consumed. The microwave egg cooker and the glass egg cooker consume the most electricity.
The glass egg cooker consumes the most electricity. The egg can be baked in the oven or cooked in a water bath. These two egg cooking applications usually consume more than 450 watts. In contrast, the microwave egg cooker only has a power consumption of between 450 and 550 watts.
The electric egg cooker has the least power, up to 400 watts, and is therefore the most environmentally friendly. In the long run, electric egg cookers can save electricity costs.
Colour, material and design
The colour, material and design are also important decision-making factors that have a significant influence on the purchase. Whether a classic electric egg boiler made of stainless steel or the transparent glass egg boiler – there is something for every taste. The tastes of egg cookers are very different and the selection looks accordingly:
If you like things a little kitschy, you can buy a microwave egg boiler. The WMF McMicro microwave egg boiler in particular stands out with its unusual design. On the other hand, those who like it a little simpler in white and space-saving but would still like a microwave egg cooker will like the Mik Funshopping.
The glass egg cooker by Janaer Glas, on the other hand, offers a very special design. The transparent, timeless look and the unique glass shape make it ideal for preparing eggs with various ingredients in the microwave and in the oven. A must for the modern kitchen and completely without BPA.
Most electric egg cookers come in classically elegant designs in different colours. The most popular colours are grey, white and black. The material also ranges from plastic like the egg boiler from , to plastic and stainless steel. This means that there is something for everyone among the electric appliances.
Ease of cleaning
Basically, egg cookers are relatively easy to clean with little effort. There are, however, small differences, so you can put the glass egg cooker in the dishwasher. The electric egg cooker cannot simply be put in the dishwasher. The microwave egg cookers cannot be put in the dishwasher either, but they are very easy to clean by hand.
The glass egg cooker therefore has the easiest way of cleaning; just put it in the dishwasher and you’re done. It is a little more time-consuming than washing it yourself, but if you don’t use the glass egg cooker immediately after use, it is probably the easiest way to clean it. To clean the electric egg boiler, the housing must first be removed.
The upper part of the appliance can be cleaned easily with water. The part to which the eggs are attached is also easy to clean with water. Please note that the entire housing should also be cleaned of food residues and dirt. Some electric egg cookers are also dishwasher-safe.
Of course, this does not mean the entire egg boiler, but only the lid with the steam outlet and the measuring cup. The microwave egg boiler is smaller to handle and also somewhat easier to clean than the electric egg boiler. All you have to do is wash the housing and the inside well and the cleaning is done.
Checking the cooking time
It can be said that the more professional the egg cooker, the more precise the control of the cooking time. This means that the electric egg boiler has the most accurate cooking time. As mentioned above, the electric egg cooker is available with a timer or the cooking time is controlled by a certain amount of water.
With the timer, the eggs reach the desired degree of hardness exactly to the minute, but the amount of water remains the same. If the cooking time is determined by a certain amount of water, the amount of water is determined depending on the desired degree of hardness and the number of eggs.
We explain the process in more detail below under Extras. With the microwave egg cooker, on the other hand, you have to experiment a little to find out which time best suits the desired cooking time. The power of the microwave also plays a decisive role.
If you only set your microwave to 300 watts, you can expect it to take longer for the egg to reach the desired degree of hardness. The cooking time also varies from appliance to appliance and it is best to test for yourself which cooking time is best for you.
The glass egg cooker from Jenaer Glas has a cooking time of about five to ten minutes. Simply place the device in a water bath and let it boil. Here, too, it is best to try out which cooking time suits you best.
Acoustic signal
In the following, we would like to show you which egg cookers have an acoustic signal to detect the end of the cooking time. Only the electric egg cookers have an acoustic signal, the microwave egg cooker and the glass egg cooker do not emit an acoustic signal. Neither the microwave egg cooker nor the glass egg cooker give signals when the egg is done cooking.
Since both are also not as professionally built as the electronic egg cooker, but rather specialise in simplicity of use. In the case of the electronic egg cooker, most of the devices emit a signal, which is usually a beep. Some items even play the melody of well-known musicians when the egg has reached its desired degree of hardness. However, this depends on the model and the manufacturer.
Extra features
Most egg cookers offer different extras. The special features range from simple accessories to high-quality functions. In general, the more expensive a product is, the more features it has.
Especially the electronic egg cookers in the higher price segment shine with some extra functions such as the exact setting of the desired hardness time in different hardness levels or a keep-warm function that keeps the eggs pleasantly warm for longer. In the mid-range segment, you can also find some electric egg cookers with special extras such as the on/off switch with LED indicator light or even an overheating indicator for the appliance.
Even the simple and plain electric kitchen helpers usually have a measuring cup for measuring the amount of water and an extra egg piercer. The measuring cup is used to determine the amount of water. Well-boiled eggs usually need more water than softer eggs. As a rule, electronic egg cookers require the following amount of water:
| Condition | Quantity | Water | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Boiled | 7 | 30 ml | 10 min |
| Boiled | 7 | 45 ml | 13 min |
| Half Boiled | 1 | 60 ml | 10 min |
| Boiled | 1 | 90 ml | 13 min |
The amount of water depends not only on the desired cooking time but also on the number of eggs cooked. If you have ever read the instruction manual of an egg cooker or looked at the measuring cup, you will notice something amazing.
The more eggs you cook, the less water you need. The amount of water is therefore not proportional to the number of eggs.
Eggs are not cooked, as the name actually suggests, but are merely heated by hot steam. The water, which then flows into the egg boiler with the help of the measuring cup, is vaporised by a heating flame. However, appliances that do not have an automatic hardness setting use a signal to indicate that the egg is cooked.
Extra functions
Some electric egg cookers have an automatic hardness setting. With these products, there is a control knob on which you can set the hardness level and the supplied water cup with spike usually does not have a scale for the required amount of water.
Nowadays, there are multifunctional appliances that can be used as an egg boiler, a toaster and a warmer at the same time. Whether you want to enjoy fried eggs, vaporised eggs, soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs, you can easily do it all with such a multifunctional appliance, and at the same time you can still make toast warm and crispy.
With the extra function hardness setting, you still have to set the desired degree of hardness and the cooker then switches off automatically when the desired degree of hardness is reached. This is usually a button with different degrees of hardness such as:
- one small soft-boiled egg
- one small semi-soft egg
- one large semi-soft egg
- one large hard egg
Thus, the appliance only has to be set to the desired degree of hardness and the egg cooker regulates the amount of water that has been entered by itself. The special feature of the glass egg boiler is its multifunctional use. You can not only cook eggs, but also add ingredients to round off the taste. However, this is not the only extra function of the item.
If you don’t necessarily want eggs, the glass egg cooker can also be used to make many other recipes, such as desserts and pies.
Interesting facts about egg cookers
How do you cook eggs in a pot of water and how long do eggs take to cook?
The time it takes to cook the perfect breakfast egg depends on the preferred degree of hardness. Hard-boiled eggs from the water pot usually take longer than soft-boiled eggs.
| Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| Soft-boiled | approx. 5-8 min |
| Hard-boiled | from approx. 10 min |
Before you put the eggs into the water, you have to pierce them. Before piercing, there is still air in the shell and the egg skin, which expands when heated. The heat can cause the egg to crack. If you prick the eggs before cooking, the air can escape and they will not crack. Then put the eggs in lukewarm water, making sure that the eggs are completely covered by the water.
Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Now wait five to 15 minutes, depending on the desired degree of hardness, and the boiled egg is ready. Here is the short version of the perfect egg in a pot of water:
- Prick the eggs and place in the lukewarm water
- Bring the water to the boil
- Boil for between five and 15 minutes
- Leave the eggs to cool
- Ready to serve
Barn eggs, free-range eggs or organic eggs and what are the differences?
Egg types differ mainly in the production of the eggs and the price. Organic eggs have the strictest production rules. The code on the egg informs about the origin and the type of farming. Since 2010 it has been forbidden in Germany to keep hens in battery cages. There are three different types of husbandry:
- 0 = organic eggs
- 1 = Free range
- 2 = barn-raised
Code 0 or organic:
- Have the strictest husbandry regulations
- Hens are only allowed to eat organic food
Hens may only be kept in a barn with sufficient outdoor space. The coop must also have perches. In addition, no more than 3,000 hens may be housed in one barn. Organic hens do not eat industrial waste fats and no genetic engineering is used. Sick animals are cured without chemical substances. With code 1 or free-range husbandry:
- Hens are not kept in cages
- Fewer regulations
Compared to organic hens, however, there is less space to run around. The biggest difference to organic eggs is the feed. Free-range hens do not have to be fed organically. Code 2 or floor husbandry:
- Is the most unfriendly husbandry for hens
- Hardly any space to move around
Floor-kept hens share minimal space and can only move around in the confined space of an enclosed barn. As with free-range hens, floor-kept hens do not have to be fed organically.
How expensive are the different types of eggs?
Many factors go into the price of eggs, e.g. the type of husbandry, the feed, etc. The more complex the production, the more expensive our eggs are to find in the supermarket. Below you will find an overview of the different types of eggs and the approximate unit price per egg:
| Egg type | Price per egg |
|---|---|
| Organic eggs | 0,30€ – 0,50€ |
| Free-range eggs | 0,15€ – 0,40€ |
| Barn eggs | 0,10€ – 0,30€ |
Picture source: pixabay.com / monicore
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