Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day that should not be missed. Studies have shown that a healthy breakfast is essential in having a good day ahead. In most cultures worldwide, an integral part of a breakfast meal is cooked egg-regardless that it is served as hard boiled, sunny side up, or scrambled. However, cooking eggs is not always an easy task. As such, egg cookers were invented to aid individuals in cooking a perfectly prepared egg dish.

Generally, an egg cooker is an appliance used for boiling or poaching eggs. These appliances are designed with an electric heating element encased in a base that can be filled with water. Eggs, on the other hand, are held in rack and covered by a plastic lid that retains heat. As mentioned, most of these cookers have inserts or cups for boiling or poaching eggs. Nonetheless, a number of models now come with flat inserts that can be used in making omelet, fried eggs, and scrambled eggs.

Today, egg cookers can be purchased in the market in a multitude of types and designs. Among the five general types of these cookers are egg poachers, microwave egg cookers, and counter egg cookers. Egg poachers are those used in creating evenly shaped, crisp poached eggs-which are eggs cooked in gently boiling water until solidified. On the other hand, microwave egg cookers are those employed in creating instant hard or soft eggs through a microwave transparent container, a metal tray, and a metal lid. The transparent container is used to hold water while the metal tray serves as a container for the eggs. Alternatively, counter egg counters are those that allow users to cook eggs with various temperature settings using their water reservoir, electronic timer, ready signal, poaching dish, and measuring cup.

The fourth type of these cookers is the basted egg cooker which is used in the preparation of basted eggs. Basting generally refers to food preparation where food is cooked in its own juice. Lastly are steam egg cookers. These types are among the most commonly used especially that most egg cookers are based on the concept of cooking with steam. These devices feature a water reservoir that is marked with different levels. Depending on how the egg is to be cooked-whether hard, medium, or soft boiled-the reservoir can be filled up the desired marked level.

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.

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.