How Long Does It Take To Cook The Perfect Soft-boiled Egg?

To boil an egg perfectly is not all about time, but about the care and concentration put into it. A perfect boiled egg is different for everyone, as some people like the yolk runny while others like it solid. Achieving your perfect egg is a process of trial and error, but there are some simple tips that could make the process a lot easier.

1. Never place a cold egg straight into boiling water because it will most likely crack, but instead place the egg in the saucepan before you start heating.

2. Time from when the water starts to boil using a timer.

3. Make a small pinprick into the top of the egg shell because when boiling, pressure will build up and it could crack the egg, but by putting a small hole in the shell the pressure will be released.

4. Use a small saucepan, so that the eggs are close together, and this will stop the eggs from hitting each other with much force, therefore reducing the chances of cracking the eggs.

5. Don't boil too quickly. You should always boil with a small to medium flame.

6. Never over boil your egg, as it will result in a black egg and texture like rubber.

7. If your eggs are fresh from your own chickens and are less that 5 days old, you should add an extra 30 seconds to cooking.

For cooking a soft boiled egg and a hard boiled, the methods differs. Cooking a soft boiled egg will require you to have enough water in a saucepan just to cover the egg and simmering water before the egg in placed in for cooking. Once the egg is placed in the simmering water, with the saucepan's lid off, set the timer for ` minute and wait. When the minute is up take the saucepan away from the heat and put the lid on and depending on how runny you want your yolk to be, leave the egg in the hot water for 6 minutes, for a very runny yolk and a very soft white, and for 7 minutes for a semi solid yolk and a hard white. Another way of cooking a soft boiled egg would be to place the egg in to a saucepan with cold water, with just enough water covering up the egg and putting the flame onto the strongest. Once the water starts to boil, reduce the flame to a smaller flame so that the water is still simmering. Then leave the egg in the simmering water for 3 to 5 minutes depending on how hard you want the yolk and white to be. To boil a hard boiled egg place the egg in a saucepan with water just enough to cover the egg and bring the water to a simmer, then time it for 6 minutes. Once the time is up quickly take the egg out with a spoon a run it in cold water for a minute.

To boil an egg has a pot or saucepan of boiling water ready. Put the egg onto a spoon and gently lower them into the water. Let the spoon touch the bottom of the saucepan before it is taken off, so the egg will not fall and crack. For those who like lightly boiled eggs 3 minutes is enough time to be in the water. Four minutes will be enough for regular boiled eggs, and 6 to 7 minutes for a hard boiled egg. Eggs for salads should be boiled from 10 to 15 minutes. All boiled eggs should be placed in cold water for a few minutes after boiling. Then roll along a flat surface with the palm of your hand and the shell will peel off easily.

At different levels of being boiled the fully boiled egg will balance when given a spin like a top. As the eggs are boiled the center will become more solid and become one solid boiled egg...making it easier to spin and a longer lasting spins, the egg that is raw should not balance when spun,because of the liquid center. The liquid center will basically sit still inside the egg when you give the outside shell a spin....sort of like stirring a bowl of liquid the liquid only keeps moving as long as you stir it.....hope this helps

There is one simple test, that you can perform to see whether an egg is raw or cooked. A properly cooked egg will spin on its base. So Spin the egg on a flat surface. If it spins it is properly cooked from inside. However, if it wobbles it is raw.

If you want a perfectly soft boiled egg so that you can dip bread into follow these instructions.....
1. Boil enough water in a pot to cover the eggs.
2. While water is boiling, gently lower your eggs into the water.
3. Take out eggs after exactly 74minutes and 38seconds.
4. If you take them out later, dispose of the eggs and start again.
5. If you take them out sooner, dispose of the eggs and start again.
6. Immediately hold your eggs under running cold water for 84seconds.
7. If you cool them for longer, they'll be too cold.
8. If you cool them for shorter, they'll be too hot.
9. If you cool them for 84seconds, they'll be just right.
10. You can now search for a chainsaw to break the eggs and commence eating.

Oh, the above relates to dinosaur eggs only, if your using chicken eggs, then its 3 and a half minutes.

Soft boiled eggs can be cooked in various ways and the cooking time as such would depend on the method used. For best results one should start off the eggs with cold water as this would ensure that the inner consistency of the eggs being cooked remains runny as well as the eggshell staying firm and not cracking due to a sudden change in temperature. The water should be brought to a boil following which the eggs should be further allowed to cook for a period of three minutes or more depending on desired consistency on a low flame. One can also take the eggs of the heat and let them simmer for about 5 minutes following which they can be peeled preferably after running them under cold water which would ensure smooth peeling. If one is cooking several eggs simultaneously one should peel the eggs all at once to avoid any overcooking in the shell.