Again and again you can find information about different amounts of water in the egg stove. What sense this has, and how to find out the right amount of water, we reveal in our article.
Fixed and variable water quantity
In many egg stoves, the hardness of the egg can be easily adjusted via a switch. We have also described this in our general instructions for the egg stove. With such devices, the same amount of water is always filled in.
However, some devices work in a different way: The degree of hardness is controlled by the amount of water that is added. This requires precise measurement so that the eggs are actually perfect afterwards.
The control principle is quite simple to understand: Eggs are not “cooked” in the egg stove as in the pot, but heated in hot steam. When the water added has evaporated, the egg stove turns off (the same principle as a typical rice stove). Depending on how much water you add, the heating process thus takes different amounts of time. On the other hand, in egg stoves with setting switches, the duration is determined electronically.
Less water for more eggs
What seems illogical at first glance can be explained by simple physics. Hot steam condenses on the eggs and thus transfers its heat to the eggs. The condensed water then runs back into the heating tray to be heated again. The non-condensed water vapor escapes through a valve in the cover.
The more eggs there are in the water vapor, the larger the condensation area. More water vapor condenses on the eggs and thus more condensed water runs back again. The amount of water is reused more often than if there were fewer eggs in the egg boiler. For this reason, a larger condensation area (= more eggs in the egg stove) requires less water overall.
Determining the right amount of water
Determining the right amount of water can be extremely tricky. On the one hand, each appliance naturally requires a different amount of water per egg and desired hardness level.
On the other hand, of course, you have to consider the size (weight) of the eggs. Many machines are set with their dimensions to the (quite common) egg size “M”. Larger or smaller eggs will therefore not be cooked exactly “to the point”.
The correct amounts of water are usually also apparent from the operating instructions and can also be entered without a measuring cup.
Tips & Tricks
If you have lost both the measuring cup and the instruction manual, the egg boiler is almost useless. In many cases, however, you can download operating instructions for common devices on the Internet.
Elizabeth Green
Elizabeth Green is a seasoned home chef and culinary expert who has a passion for all things kitchen-related. With her extensive knowledge of the latest kitchen products and appliances, Elizabeth provides insightful reviews and recommendations to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Whether you're looking for a new refrigerator, blender, or cookware set, Elizabeth is your guide to finding the best kitchen products available in the UK.
