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When it comes to hard-boiling eggs, the microwave isn’t the first option that usually pops into people’s minds. But if you’re in a rush or you don’t have access to a stove, you may be tempted to use the microwave. Unfortunately, eggs can and will explode in the microwave. We’ll explain why and cover the only appropriate way to make a hard-boiled egg.
Steps
Boiling Eggs the Safe Way
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Bring your eggs to room temperature and don’t salt the water. Salt will raise the boiling point of water and keep the egg white from cooking evenly. In fact, if you have time, leave the eggs you’re going to boil out on the counter for 20-30 minutes. That way, the egg whites and yolks will cook more thoroughly and smoothly.[3]- People often salt water for flavor before boiling spaghetti, but the salt won’t even improve the flavor for a boiled egg anyway. The shell keeps the sodium out.
Set the eggs in a pot of cold water and bring the pot to a boil. The amount of water doesn’t necessarily matter so long as the eggs are fully submerged with an extra 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of water on top. Turn the heat on high and monitor the pot.[4]- Turn the heat off once it reaches a rolling boil. As soon as the water begins fully boiling, shut the heat off. Use oven mitts to transfer the pot to a cool burner and put a lid on top. This will allow the yolk and egg white to fully cook via the residual heat. It also makes it easier to stop heating the eggs at the perfect level depending on your yolk preferences.[5]
Set a timer based on how cooked you want the yolks to be. How long you leave the eggs in the hot water depends on how set you want the yolks and whites to be. Set an alarm or reminder to remove your eggs when you’re ready.[6] Here’s the guidance:- 3 minutes: runny soft-boiled eggs with barely set whites
- 4 minutes: slightly runny soft-boiled eggs
- 6 minutes: firmer whites with soft yolks
- 10 minutes: very firm whites with a slightly creamy yolk (the most popular option)
- 15 minutes: very firm hard-boiled eggs with solid yolks
- Crack the eggs gently and set them in an ice bath. Take each egg out with a slotted spoon. Run each egg under cool water to make it cool enough to handle and gently crack the shells on the counter. Then, place the eggs in an ice bath.[7]
- Cracking the shell and putting the eggs in an ice bath will separate the yolk and the membrane. This will make the eggs much easier to peel.
- Wait at least 1 minute before peeling and enjoying your eggs. You can leave the eggs in the ice bath up to 15 minutes to chill them and make peeling extremely easy if you’d like, but you’re good to go after 60 seconds pass. Remove each egg, peel the shell by hand, and enjoy your eggs![8]
- Refrigerate any unused eggs. The FDA recommends consuming hard-boiled eggs within 7 days.[9]
Community Q&A
- QuestionWhy did they burst in the bowl?
Community AnswerIt was due to internal pressure from the liquid inside being steamed. Microwave them at 50% power and poke a tiny hole in the bottom of the shell. - QuestionWhy did the egg yolks turn brown and eggs smell funny when I boiled them in the microwave 5 minutes at level 5 temperature?
Community AnswerThey shouldn't turn out like that. You either have a more powerful microwave than most people and your eggs were overcooked or you were using expired eggs. - QuestionCan I boil the eggs in the microwave without taking the eggshells off?
Community AnswerYes, but you need to add at least a tablespoon of salt to help prevent the egg from exploding. I recommend getting the water to a boil in the microwave first, then adding the eggs to the boiling water, heating at 50% power for 2 minutes, then letting the eggs sit in the hot water inside the microwave for an additional 6 minutes to ensure they are cooked through.
Tips
Tips from our Readers 
- Crack the shell with a fork, put the egg in a bowl of water, and cook it on high for 3 mins to avoid the egg exploding in the microwave.
References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC403890/
- ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/cooking/hard-cook-egg
- ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/eggs/boiledeggs.htm
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-boil-eggs-perfectly-every-time-video-202415
- ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/eggs/boiledeggs.htm
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-boil-eggs-perfectly-every-time-video-202415
- ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/eggs/boiledeggs.htm
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-boil-eggs-perfectly-every-time-video-202415
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety
About This Article
To cook an egg in the microwave, first grease the inside of a microwave-safe bowl with butter or oil. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon (3 g) of salt over the bottom of the bowl to help the egg cook evenly and give it more flavor. Then, crack an egg into the bowl, and pierce the yolk with a knife so it doesn’t explode in the microwave. Never hardboil a whole egg in the microwave since it can explode and make a mess. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then microwave it for 30 seconds on low heat. Continue microwaving it for 10 seconds at a time until it’s cooked through. Finally, remove it and let it sit for 30 seconds before serving it. For tips on how to hardball eggs in the microwave without the shell, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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