An integral part of a breakfast meal is cooked egg. Whether served as hard, soft, or medium boiled, or as sunny side up or scrambled, egg dishes are almost always present in breakfast tables of families worldwide. However, as egg cooking can be a disaster for some, egg cookers are now available in the market for those who find cooking eggs a not so easy task.
Generally, egg cookers are pieces of cookware designed to boil or poach eggs. Nonetheless, a number of newer models of these appliances also now feature flat inserts that can be used for other egg dishes such as omelets, fried eggs, and scrambled eggs. Based on the concept of steaming, these appliances usually feature a heating element encased on their bases which can be filled with water. To retain heat, these devices also feature a plastic lid that covers the eggs which are held in a rack inside the appliance.
Today, consumers are given a wide array of types of these devices. The five most commonly used types of these appliances are egg poachers, microwave egg cookers, counter egg cookers, basted egg cookers, and steam egg cookers. Egg poachers are those used in the preparation of evenly shaped and crisp poached egg. A poached egg is generally an egg dish prepared in gently boiling water. These eggs often have yolks that are slightly runny. Next are microwave egg cookers which like any ordinary microwave ovens can cook eggs in a jiffy. With their microwave container, metal tray, and metal lid, these cookers are often used in the preparation of instant hard or soft boiled eggs. Counter egg cookers, on the other hand, feature water reservoirs, electronic timers, ready signals, poaching dishes, and measuring cups that allow user to cook eggs in a variety of temperature settings.
Next is the basted egg cooker. Basting involves cooking food such as eggs using their own juice to add rich flavors to the food. Using these basted egg cookers, eggs within the same bunch can be combined to cook some eggs as soft, while others as medium or hard boiled. Lastly are steam egg cookers. These cookers come with water reservoir marked with different levels to allow to user to choose how the cooks will be cooked-i.e., whether hard, soft, or medium boiled. As almost all egg cookers are based on the concept of cooking with steam, these types of cookers are also among the most popularly used.
With the number of different types of egg cookers to choose from, choosing the best one is often a tedious task. Among the first things to consider when purchasing these appliances is the number of eggs the cooker can handle at one time. The number of people in a household where the appliance will be used can aid in this decision. Also, it is important to consider the amount of time it takes to cook an egg, the variable settings and controls, and other additional features. Lastly and as always, one should consider the amount of money he/she is willing to shell out for the purchase of these items. Generally, prices of these appliances range from $20 to $60.
Egg cookers have indeed brought about faster, as well as healthier, ways of cooking eggs. With the availability of these appliances, cooking eggs can become an easy task of preparing one of our most favorite breakfast foods.
Generally, egg cookers are pieces of cookware designed to boil or poach eggs. Nonetheless, a number of newer models of these appliances also now feature flat inserts that can be used for other egg dishes such as omelets, fried eggs, and scrambled eggs. Based on the concept of steaming, these appliances usually feature a heating element encased on their bases which can be filled with water. To retain heat, these devices also feature a plastic lid that covers the eggs which are held in a rack inside the appliance.
Today, consumers are given a wide array of types of these devices. The five most commonly used types of these appliances are egg poachers, microwave egg cookers, counter egg cookers, basted egg cookers, and steam egg cookers. Egg poachers are those used in the preparation of evenly shaped and crisp poached egg. A poached egg is generally an egg dish prepared in gently boiling water. These eggs often have yolks that are slightly runny. Next are microwave egg cookers which like any ordinary microwave ovens can cook eggs in a jiffy. With their microwave container, metal tray, and metal lid, these cookers are often used in the preparation of instant hard or soft boiled eggs. Counter egg cookers, on the other hand, feature water reservoirs, electronic timers, ready signals, poaching dishes, and measuring cups that allow user to cook eggs in a variety of temperature settings.
Next is the basted egg cooker. Basting involves cooking food such as eggs using their own juice to add rich flavors to the food. Using these basted egg cookers, eggs within the same bunch can be combined to cook some eggs as soft, while others as medium or hard boiled. Lastly are steam egg cookers. These cookers come with water reservoir marked with different levels to allow to user to choose how the cooks will be cooked-i.e., whether hard, soft, or medium boiled. As almost all egg cookers are based on the concept of cooking with steam, these types of cookers are also among the most popularly used.
With the number of different types of egg cookers to choose from, choosing the best one is often a tedious task. Among the first things to consider when purchasing these appliances is the number of eggs the cooker can handle at one time. The number of people in a household where the appliance will be used can aid in this decision. Also, it is important to consider the amount of time it takes to cook an egg, the variable settings and controls, and other additional features. Lastly and as always, one should consider the amount of money he/she is willing to shell out for the purchase of these items. Generally, prices of these appliances range from $20 to $60.
Egg cookers have indeed brought about faster, as well as healthier, ways of cooking eggs. With the availability of these appliances, cooking eggs can become an easy task of preparing one of our most favorite breakfast foods.
About the Author:
Mini Logan is a stay at home mum of two boys from German. Eggs are staples in Mini's breakfast table for her family which she prepares using an egg cooker or "Eierkocher" in German.