Why do my shells stick to my boiled eggs?

Question

The eggs are not over cooked.

Answer 1

Because you are trying to hard boil eggs that are too fresh.
When you buy eggs, you'll want to keep them in the frig for about 1-2 weeks before hard boiling them. Fresh eggs do not peel well, as you've found out! I don't have the scientific reason for this, I just know it's true.

Answer 2

First of all...you should boil your eggs in enough water so there's 1" of water over the eggs.
2nd of all...keep an eye on them while they boil...once the boiling has started, wait about 5 minutes, then remove a "sample" egg and spin it on the counter. If it spins quickly, then your eggs are done. If it spins slowly, they still need to cook for a few more minutes.
After you have removed the eggs from the stove, IMMEDIATELY place in a bowl of ice (with a little water in it)...this is called an ICE BATH.
Let them sit in the ice bath for about 5-10 minutes, then take an egg out and crack it on the counter for a few cracks. Under cold running water, peel the egg..the peel should just slip right off if the eggs have been cooked enough and the ice bath worked.
Good luck...it might sound complicated...but it's actually VERY EASY!

Answer 3

The fact that they stick means that you have too much heat under your pot, too little water or they are over-cooked. Here is a simple way to take off the shells without getting them stuck and that way, you can boil them a little longer if you want. When you take the egg out of the pan, tap the pointed part of the egg on a hard surface until it cracks and then peel from the cracked portion. It comes off like a piece of tape.

Boaz.

Answer 4

Mine don't stick when I do this:
To cook, place eggs in sauce pan and cover with cold water. Bring to boiling (uncovered). When it starts to boil, cover and remove from heat. Leave it covered 15 minutes for hard boiled, 5 minutes for soft. Then, using tongs, take out an egg and run it under cold water until manageably cool. Do that with the rest of the eggs. Then immediately roll them on the counter and the cracked shell will slip right off.

Answer 5

Besides, the fact that very fresh eggs are not the best for boiling as someone else told you. Sometimes, it helps to put ice in the pan and let the eggs cool in the ice.
Here is what I do; I boil the eggs - when they are done immediately as I take them off the stove, I run cold water on them, then I put in 3 or 4 ice cubes and let it sit for about 5 minutes. I then pour off all the water and the shell usually peels off very nicely.

Granny

Answer 6

Beekiss is right, partly. You can hard boil and easily peel any sort of egg, but you have to do it differently. When boiling fresh eggs you need to boil them a big longer, which is fine if you're making deviled eggs or egg salad; you won't be able to see the green coating. Place your eggs in cold water, then bring to a rolling boil. Remove pot from heat and let sit 6-9 minutes. Rinse your eggs in cold water and place in the fridge overnight. They should peel just fine. =)

Answer 7

Because they are very fresh. After they are cooked, drain the water and bounce them around in the pan until shells are all cracked / broken. Then fill pan with cold water. This should seperate the shell from the actual egg. If they still stick, peel under cold running water.

Answer 8

You aren't chilling them enough before you try & peel. Once cooked, run under cold water for at least 5 minutes then place in fridge for 10 - 15 before you peel. Tap all the way around the large end to loosen shell, then peel while running under cold water.....Works like a charm!

Answer 9

I always add a little olive oil to the water when i'm boiling eggs with pasta, it works every time.

Answer 10

Are you rinsing them in cold water afterwards? If not-then do that and you should have no more sticking.