At DelightedCooking, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What Is an Egg Piercer?
An egg piercer is a kitchen tool that is used to break a tiny opening in an egg shell to prevent the shell from cracking and the yolk from turning green while boiling. This tool is typically a sharp steel pin that is housed inside a base and that protrudes only when an egg is pressed onto it. An egg piercer also can be used to prepare egg shells for crafts.
The base of the piercer typically is spring-loaded, so when the operator presses the egg down on the piercer, the needle will pop up and poke a tiny hole into the shell. An egg piercer can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to fit any kitchen décor. Most piercers are not much bigger than the eggs themselves and are small enough to fit into a drawer for storage. They can be made of stainless steel or plastic, and some even are shaped like a hard-boiled egg. Some people simply use a push pin to pierce an egg shell.
Air inside an egg expands as it heats up during boiling, and this can cause the shell to crack. Having a small hole in the large end of the egg allows air to escape gradually, which prevents the shell from cracking. All eggs have an air pocket at the larger end. When piercing the egg shell, the pin should go deep enough to pierce the shell where the air pocket is but not deep enough to puncture the inner membrane. If the inner membrane is punctured, the insides of the egg will come out while it is cooking.
The green ring that forms around the yolk of a hard-boiled egg is from sulfur. When the sulfur cannot escape from the egg shell, it turns the yolk green. When an egg piercer is used to create a tiny hole in the egg shell, the sulfur can escape, and the yolk will not turn green.
Some people enjoy decorating empty egg shells. This delicate craft requires the removal if the insides of an egg without breaking the shell. An egg piercer is perfect for the job. Two holes are needed, one at each end of the egg. The crafter can then blow the insides of the egg carefully through the egg piercer hole by blowing into the larger end of the egg. Once all the contents of the egg have been removed, the egg shell can be decorated.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![Hard boiled eggs.]()
By: Igor DutinaHard boiled eggs. -
![Raw eggs can be pierced so that the sulfur in the egg can escape or so that the liquid inside can be removed without breaking the shell.]()
By: CrackerClipsRaw eggs can be pierced so that the sulfur in the egg can escape or so that the liquid inside can be removed without breaking the shell.
Discussion Comments
@recapitulate- my mom had an egg piercer, and they look handy but I was never a big fan of using it. I sort of like the crash of breaking eggs, though.
Of course, if I spent a lot of time boiling eggs or decorating egg shells, I might find piercers more useful.
I have always wanted an egg piercer. I used to cook a lot with eggs, and do a lot of baking, and it seemed so much simpler than constantly breaking eggs on bowls and risking making a mess.
I live somewhere with a kind of poor kitchen right now though, so I will probably wait before I get one.
@sunnySkys - I don't know about that. One of my aunts like to decorate egg shells. She claims the egg piercer is far superior to just using a pin. I suppose you would probably have to try both methods and see which one you liked better.
I've actually never seen a hard boiled egg with a green ring on the inside. So I guess all the hard boiled eggs I've eaten have been made by someone with an egg piercer.
I don't like hard boiled eggs enough to make them myself on a regular basis. I'm glad to know that if I ever need to make them for some reason I could just use a pin for this. I'm sure it's not as precise as using an egg piercer, but I bet it still works!
I always like hard boiled eggs but there was something about the green ring that always put me off. In fact, for a long time i didn't even eat them because I was just so unappetitzed.
That's why I was so relieved when I heard about the egg piercing trick. I was amazed how well it worked when I tried it for the first time. Now I eat hard boiled eggs all the time and I don't get why more people don't try the trick. They look so much nicer when they are white rather than green.
I like to use an egg piercer for craft projects but probably not the kind that you are expecting.
Here is what I do. I get a griddle really hot and covered in oil. Then I use an egg piercer and puncture an extra large egg. As the egg drips out of the bottom I draw pictures and designs with the liquid on the hot griddle. It cooks instantly and then I can make pictures using eggs. You do a lot of interesting effects with the yolks and the whites and the different cooking times.
Of course these pictures don't last long and they are almost impossible to transport. I usually just take a picture to preserve it. I know this sounds kind of weird but it is really fun.
There are so many great foods you can make with the help of an egg piercer. Though I still prefer to use my egg shells for decoration. I usually pierce the egg and remove the insides to make scrambled eggs, which leaves me wit a perfect shell to paint.
My grandmother originally got me started with decorating real egg shells, and I have to say it is quite the art. I am no where as good as my grandma used to be, but I am trying. Right now I am working on making egg shell decorations for Christmas, as I think they would make fantastic hanging ornaments.
An egg piercer is just one handy tool you should have on hand if you are looking to make perfect eggs. I also like to have an egg cooker and poacher, as it takes a lot of the guess work out of timing your eggs so they are just right.
If you purchase an electric egg cooker it is a good idea to shop around a bit. I found that egg cookers can be pretty pricey, but I managed to get mine on clearance for 50% off which really swayed me into buying it. I can say that it was a great purchase and it makes preparing breakfast a whole lot easier than it used to be.
Post your comments