How To Peel a Hard Boiled Egg

When I made the pickled eggs the other day, I had a hell of a time peeling them. I don't always have this problem but when I do, I really get frustrated. So, I scanned the internet looking for a solution and found this video.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/24/how-to-peel-hard-boiled-eggs-without-peeling.aspx?source=nl
I boiled 4 eggs to test it. I boiled them at a light boil for 12 minutes and then plunged them in ice water to which I added 1 tsp. of baking soda.


I opened a hole at the narrow end as instructed.



Then I opened a larger hole at the wider end. (What do you use the hole in your cutting board for?) I blew on the egg as the video said to and nothing. It did not blow out of the shell. However, the shells just about fell off of the eggs. So, if you try this and have success blowing the eggs out of their shells, let me know. Maybe I am doing something wrong. I think the baking soda trick is a keeper though.

Comments

Anonymous said…
my husband makes pickled eggs every month, he loves them, he will have to try this, I do know from having my own chickens the fresher the egg the harder they are to peel.He also read to put salt in the water, he does this, no matter how they peel they sure do stink!
February 6, 2012 at 9:07 AM
Poppy said…
Jaz,

I too have a hard time peeling hard boiled eggs SOMETIMES......other times the shells just peel right off!

I think I'll try the baking soda trick!

Thanks lady!
February 6, 2012 at 9:09 AM
brokenteepee said…
The biggest trick is to use old eggs. They have contracted some in the shell and will peel much easier. New eggs will not. So buy some, stick 'em in the back of your 'fridge for a couple of weeks and use them.
February 6, 2012 at 9:57 AM
Anonymous said…
Now I know what to do with all those eggs my hens are giving me. I'm certainly going to try this. Thanks for sharing.
February 6, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Anonymous said…
As Laurie says, the fresher the egg is the harder it is ton peel. So I'll try this next time I get those eggs that are impossible to peel!

Have a great day!
Christer.
February 6, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Cascade Quilts said…
I've tried the 'blowing' trick too - and it didn't work for me. I'll give the baking soda a try though. I have found that older eggs peel easier, go figure!
February 6, 2012 at 10:31 AM
Beverly@Beverly's Back Porch said…
I have never had trouble peeling boiled eggs. I think it's the luck of the stupid. I bring them to a hard boil, covered, turn off the heat and let them set for 12 minutes. Drain, run cold water over them and drain again. Fill the pot with ice cubes and add more cold water. When they are cool enought to handle I crack them around the middle and the shell comes off in two pieces. If it doesn't work for you don't blame me that's the only way I know to do them.
February 6, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Diane said…
I have always been told that fresh eggs peel easily, old ones do not! This is worth a try though. Diane
February 6, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Diane said…
I have just read Laurie's comment and she seems to think fresh eggs are more difficult. Oh well we will stick to your new method! Diane
February 6, 2012 at 11:29 AM
TARYTERRE said…
Had to chuckle. My uncle sent me that video before Thanksgiving. We tried it too. For years I've boiled the eggs, then drain them and put 'em directly in refrigerator. Sometimes it works and the shells slide right off, sometimes it doesn't and they stick. Can't figure it out. GOOD to hear everyone's suggestions, though. Take care.
February 6, 2012 at 11:52 AM
JoyceAnn said…
Cold eggs peel better , cook ahead and refrigerate for an hour or so. Plunging in ice water and getting them cold helps too. But sometimes nothing helps , some eggs just don't want to peel.
February 7, 2012 at 5:47 AM
Anonymous said…
I've always used the trick of buying them a week or so before I need them!! I'm going to try all this too.
February 7, 2012 at 12:28 PM
luckybunny said…
Hey I'm going to try it... I was just cursing (under my breath of course) the ones I made this morning, so I'm going to try these tricks and see what happens. :)
February 7, 2012 at 4:09 PM
LindaG said…
I don't have chickens yet, but I follow a lot of blogs that do, and have done a lot of reading because hubby loves hard boiled eggs.

Something I've read. If you are lucky enough to have farm fresh eggs, steam them instead of boiling them.

And I was under the impression the baking soda went into the boiling water, not the rinse water. I've seen other references to salt or vinegar in the boiling water.

But I am going to try the blowing thing. Even though I saw him do it, I don't believe it will work. ;-)

Glad I found your blog. :-)
February 19, 2012 at 5:45 AM
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