How long does it take to boil eggs? Sometimes, achieving your preferred boiled egg consistency can be a challenge. You might even usually end up with a soft-boiled or hard-boiled one.
But you can effortlessly cook them to your desired doneness in an electric kettle!

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With this hack, there will be no more trial and error when boiling eggs – cook them to your perfect preference!
Preference | Number of the boil(s) | Cooking time |
Runny yolk & lightly set white | Once | 3 minutes |
Hard-boiled | Twice | 6 minutes |
Fully-hard boiled | Thrice | 9 minutes |
How to Boil Eggs
Boiling eggs has never been more convenient and practical! It only takes a few minutes and tastes healthy and delicious. A boiled egg is perfect for an on-the-go quick meal!
Eggs
Tasty, nutritious, multipurpose, and affordable – eggs are absolutely one of the best dish ingredients! The best part is that it can be a meal on its own. Eggs can be boiled, fried, poached, baked, and more!
They are also low in calories; one large egg may only contain at least 80 calories. It aids in weight loss, metabolism, heart health, clear vision, brain function, cancer prevention, and more!
My favorite egg dishes include Scotch Eggs, Noodles and Egg Stir Fry, and Fried Eggs!

Directions
And today, you’ll learn another method to prepare these protein-rich and versatile foods in 3 different ways!
- Pour in the water and put a single layer of eggs in the kettle.
- Turn on the kettle and let it boil for 3 minutes.
- Use tongs or a ladle to take out one egg from the kettle.
- Submerge it in cool water to stop the cooking process. The first egg will be soft-boiled. Its white is almost set, and the yolk is thick yet runny.
- Boil the remaining eggs further for 3 minutes.
- Take the third egg out of the kettle and set it in water. This is medium-boiled with its white and yolk set but still slightly tender in doneness.
- Continue to boil the remaining eggs for another 3 minutes.
- Transfer the last set to a bowl of cold water and peel them. The third set will be fully hard-boiled – set yolk and hard-boiled white.

And that is how easy it is to get three levels of egg doneness with an electric kettle in 9 minutes! This technique is an ultimate time-saver trick that saves you from using a pot!
Tips
Selecting and Storing Eggs
- According to Sauder’s Eggs, select properly shaped eggs with clean shells.
- Check the eggs’ packaging for any grading or production concerns. There are regular, hormone-free, farm-fresh, and more!
- It’s also suggested to purchase refrigerated ones to prevent foodborne diseases.
- Always check the expiration date for freshness.
- Instead of the size, pay attention to the weight of the egg. They should feel heavy for their size.
- Refrigerate the raw whole eggs in their carton or crate.
- Keep them away from pungent ingredients.
- They can last up to 5 weeks in the fridge.
- In an article by Food Safety Authority of Ireland, washing eggs is also not recommended because it can increase the risk of bacteria.
Best Kettles for Boiling Eggs
Glass electric kettles are best for boiling eggs because of their structure and design. You can see them as they boil in the water, and glass is a sturdy material that can withstand heat effectively.
The kettle’s heating coil should also be unexposed to prevent the eggs from cracking as they boil.
Variations
This technique will give you three levels of egg doneness: soft, medium, and hard-boiled. You can easily boil it for longer if you change your mind about your preferred doneness.

Here are alternative ways to boil eggs:
Pot
- Pour cold water into a pot an inch above the eggs.
- Boil the contents over high heat for a few minutes, depending on your preferred doneness.
- Remove the eggs from heat using a strainer skimmer or spoon.
- Submerge them in cool water for 10 minutes to cool.
Oven
- Preheat the oven to 160°C.
- Place the eggs in cupcake trays and cook for 30 minutes.
- Let the eggs cool in a bowl of water to peel easily.
Microwave
- Put the eggs in a microwave-safe dish with water half an inch over the eggs.
- Microwave them for 4 minutes and let them sit for one minute.
- Continue to microwave for another 4 minutes.
- Remove them from heat and place them in a cold bath.
Recommended Tools
- Electric kettle: Boil the eggs in an electric kettle.
- Tongs: Remove the eggs from the heat with tongs.
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How to Serve Boiled Eggs
You can serve soft-boiled, medium-boiled, or hard-boiled eggs with the following dishes:
Enjoy the creamy and satisfying goodness of the yolk as it oozes out when you break it! You can even transform these into deviled them by sprinkling chili powder on top!
Meanwhile, hard-boiled eggs are perfect options for spreads, salads, toast, and more! You can consume them as they are, which is especially great for people on a weight-loss diet.
They can also be marinated in mixtures for a few hours for more intense flavors. For the marinade, soy sauce with vinegar and garlic is highly suggested.
Eggs are so versatile that you can use and serve them in multiple ways and different dishes. Be creative and imaginative to discover your specialty in serving boiled eggs!

Storage Tips
Soft-boiled
The Whole Portion suggests refrigerating soft-boiled eggs and using them within two days. They can be reheated in boiling water for about a minute.
Medium-boiled
Refrigerate medium-boiled eggs for up to a week, but Australian Eggs recommends doing this within 2 hours of boiling. They are best placed in airtight containers to prevent contamination.
Hard-boiled
The United States Food and Drug Administration suggests refrigerating and consuming the eggs within seven days. They can also be frozen in freezer bags to extend their shelf life to several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you boil eggs?
It depends on your preferred doneness. Hard-boiled eggs are boiled longer for proper form and cooking. Boiling time also depends on the technique used, whether you cook them in the electric kettle, pot, microwave, or oven.
How do you boil eggs, so they peel easily?
Boil the eggs according to your preferred method but after cooking, submerge them in cool water for about 10 minutes for easy peeling.
Are 10 minutes enough to boil an egg?
Yes, boiling eggs can take 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the doneness.

This post may contain general information and does not constitute professional medical advice. Always seek information or advice from a qualified medical professional. Please read the full disclaimer for details.

Perfect Boiled Eggs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 eggs
- water (enough to submerge the eggs)
Instructions
- Boil the eggs.Put a single layer of eggs in the kettle, and pour in the water.
- Turn on the appliance and let it boil for 3 minutes.
- Remove an egg and boil again. Use tongs or a fork to take one egg from the kettle. Submerge it in cool water to stop the cooking process.
- The first egg will be soft-boiled. Its egg white is almost set, and the yolk is thick yet runny.
- Boil the remaining four eggs for three more minutes.
- Remove another egg and boil the other eggs further. Take another egg from the kettle and let it set in water. This is a medium-boiled egg with the egg white and yolk set but still slightly tender in doneness.
- Continue to boil the remaining three eggs for another 3 minutes.
- Remove the remaining eggs from the kettle. Transfer the last eggs to a bowl of cold water. Peel the eggs. The third egg will be fully set and cooked with egg yolk and white.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make sure to test the eggs for freshness before cooking them.
- Submerge them in ice baths for easier peeling.
- Babies aged six months old can have mashed or pureed boiled eggs.
- Remember to wash your kettle thoroughly afterward.
- Since eggshells are still porous, air may be trapped inside, causing the egg to explode at boiling temperatures. To avoid this, boil only one layer of them in the kettle and do not overcrowd them.