What does it mean if one of my hard-boiled eggs floats in the water after cooking? @Food52Hotline

@LooseLeaf_Fancy
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14 Comments

Laura E. April 25, 2020
Floaters basically mean its an older egg...unlike the gloaters giving out recipes and how to boil eggs.
 
Mandy M. November 21, 2019
Oh my gosh!! Smaug and Kay L I am dying!!
 
Melissa C. September 2, 2019
If u take a shelled egg put it in a cup of water with lid and shake it whalla a shelled no mess egg ..try it
 
Janus August 6, 2020
Whalla = Voila! :-)
 
Norma S. June 6, 2018
Boil eggs 12 minutes. Remove from water with tongues, place in glass bowl. Refrigerate 2 hours!
 
Smaug June 6, 2018
Sounds like a party game. Tougher than bobbing for apples.
 
Kay L. February 22, 2019
Sounds a bit dangerous to me, Inthink I will use tongs
 
Tony K. May 14, 2021
I know this is an older post but Remove from water with TONGUES ? I Hope to hell noone actually did that.
T-O-N-G-S would be better suited to remove hard boiled eggs from the water if they're still too hot or warm to handle with your hands. NOT 😛😜 Ya TONGUE !!
 
Tony K. May 14, 2021
What you said !!! 😂
 
Mindriot October 28, 2022
Won't you get burned if you retrieve them with your tounge?
 
Vincent K. August 14, 2017
Old eggs float in fresh cold water because of a large air cell that forms as the egg cools after being laid. As the egg ages, air enters the egg and the air cell becomes larger and this acts as a buoyancy aid. Generally, fresh eggs will lie on the bottom of the bowl of water.
 
irishchef June 12, 2012
Older eggs will float but that doesn't mean they're bad. If I know I have to make deviled eggs for a party I'll set aside the amount I need 3 or 4 weeks ahead of time b/c they're easier to peel. Also I like to tap the eggs on a table to slightly crack them (this lets water in the eggs making them easy to peel.) Set all the eggs in a pot of salted cold water and bring to a boil. As soon as it boils turn off the heat and cover w/a lid. Let them set 15 minutes then drain and run cold water over them till they're cool enough to peel. Perfect eggs every time. Do the same for egg salad.
 

Voted the Best Reply!

hardlikearmour May 29, 2012
I'd definitely say it's an older egg with a bigger air pocket inside. Might not be rotten, but why take the chance?
 
susan G. May 29, 2012
There are some answers online, and this looked like the right one -- http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090912190039AA6I4hO
Another possibility -- if a hard-boiled egg is in very salty water, it may float, but then I would think they all would, not just one -- and it would have to be very salty.
 
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