Why can't I peel my hard boiled eggs?

[Egg Lady]

Help! I have soooo much trouble peeling my hard boiled eggs, what am I doing wrong? I can peel a store bought egg just fine.

 

[Big Chicken Little]

They are too fresh.. store eggs are older and peel easier. Try a little vinegar in the water with a pinch of salt and cool the eggs in ice water after cooking and peel right away.

 

[Lesa]

Very difficult to peel FRESH eggs. This demonstrates exactly how old the grocery store eggs are!! There are a bunch of tricks- do a search and you'll find a bunch of ideas. Salt, time, etc. Good luck!

 

[new2chix]

Fresh eggs are very hard to peel. Put salt in the water (about 1/4 cup for a smaller size saucepan) when you boil them. I don't know why it works, but it does. You can also use the search feature on BYC for additional suggestions - try "peeling eggs".

*The only reason I know this is because I had the exact same question about a year ago when my hens first started to lay.

 

[countrygirl4513]

Try starting the eggs in cold tap water on medium heat with a tablespoon of salt. Letting them slowly heat up to a boil. Once they've come to a boil turn the heat off. Let them sit for 30 min then drain water and refill with cold tap water. Pop them on the ends with a spoon and they should peel off easily. At least mine do. Let me know if it works for you.

 

[flakey chick]

Based on advice here, I put baking soda in the water and it worked like a charm.

 

[Egg Lady]

Thank you all so much!