What use is an egg-poacher?

Question

I bought a lovely egg poacher for my freerange eggs, but the eggs stick to the cups, even when I coat them in olive oil.
When I poach eggs in a saucepan of water, nothing sticks, I don't need oil, or fatty spread, and there's less to wash up.
So what use is a egg-poacher?

Answer 1

Not much use to you since you successfully "poach" eggs. An "egg poacher" actually "steams" eggs in a cup rather than "poaches" them.
For some people it is easier to manage than actually poaching an egg. Sometimes it is useful when you need to serve 6 eggs all at once. It seems odd that the egg would stick after oiling it, try buttering the egg cup when cold and before adding the egg to it, maybe that would work better than oil.

Answer 2

I bet you can't sprinkle salt and pepper on your eggs ..if you boiling them in water ..
For a start you are doing it wrong ..
first boil your water and allow 20 seconds for the butter to melt in the cups (not olive oil) oliv oil is good when you are frying your eggs ..then break your eggs add your salt and pepper close the lid and Weight until cooked the way you like them ..i say them because i have 3 at time ..
if you are using cheap poacher like aluminium ..it wont work it will always stick ..get a good one covered in Teflon like black ..your eggs will never stick to the cup..good luck

Answer 3

We used to have an egg-poacher. Same as your experience, the only way we could use it was to fill it was to poach the eggs in melted butter. Didn't stick but sort of defeats the purpose of the low-cal poached egg :) Try that non-stick spray stuff. That might work.

Answer 4

I always put a little butter in the cups ( not margarine as butter is yes people say fattening, but it is natural and your body can digest it.) When I clean my egg-poacher cups I have to soak them and use a scratchy pad too. But if you have another way that works for you go for it. ( I don't care for mine done in the water some people serve up the water too.)

Answer 5

Maybe a thin layer of shortening would be better.

I think they are nice to have if you want to make a sandwich with an English muffin. The shape of the egg fits nicely on the muffin if it is cooked with an egg poacher.

Answer 6

I agree with you, egg poachers are useless, about much use as men (and I am one). I do as you do, but crack my egg in a ladle and then hold this is a pan of boiling water until it begins to set then gently remove the ladle. This keeps the egg together, and repeat. Remember to dab them on kitchen paper to remove excess water.

Answer 7

They make the egg prettier, however you need to be using real butter instead of oil. Finner eating establishments use them so the egg is uniform, looks more pleasing to the eye, and they can charge you much more. I have had success with mine, but when it is just me I still just boil in water and scoop them out with a big spoon.

Answer 8

I got one from Lakeland. I put a tiny bit of butter in each cup and use my pastry brush to cover the cup when the butter's melted. My eggs never stick!

Answer 9

if you put a little butter or marge in the egg poacher cups and let it melt,then when you put your eggs in the poacher they shouldn't stick

Answer 10

there is no need for an egg poacher you just need a pan