Sweet success! I tried again following many of the suggestions above and the third time was a charm. My hazelnut souffles with chocolate creme anglaise were delicious. Thanks all!

Thank you all for the tips! I did have the eggs at room temp, but I was using a glass bowl, and I probably got a drop of yolk in there or something. Next time, I will try the stainless steel bowl, with the vinegar wipe down, and the pinch of salt or tartar. And the link on St.P Times answered my convection question, thank you betteirene. If anyone is curious, soupy chocolate souffle tastes much better than soupy lemon souffle, and the guests hardly seemed to mind.

Kitchen Butterfly, your souffle (and your whole blog) looks lovely and delicious.

I had to make chocolate souffles for a catered event in Palm Beach. The chef in charge handed me a hand held elec mixer for a (I kid you not) huge bowl of egg whites. I learned that night that it is possible to beat a huge amount of eqq whites to a proper level of stiffness w/ a crappy mixer, but not easy. I suspect that there was a bit of fat on the bowl or your beaters. If the whites had been overbeaten, they would have looked dry and lumpy. I always wipe out the bowl and beater w/ vinegar. When beating whites, as they start to foam, add a pinch of cream of tarter, that helps stabilize the whites. I'm sorry that happened, it's frustrating!

It is possible to over whip egg whites which reduces their ability to provide structure. I found the best way for me to get them correctly whipped was to use a wire whip and manually beat the eggs to the perfect point. Its slower that way be I was able to discernrn the stages better. So when I reverted to an electric mixer I could better detrimine I was at stiff peaks and not go past it. Also opening the oven door during baking will cause collapse. Additionally a souffle must be served within 90 seconds of exiting the oven or they will collaspe.

Sorry about your disaster. When I whip egg whites, I always use a stainless steel bowl which I've cleaned out with a white vinegar soaked tissue. I recently made some souffles which came out beautifully, read this post for some tips http://www.kitchenbutterfly.com/2010/11/14/the-daring-cooks-souffle-rising-to-the-challenge/

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/06/22/Taste/Cooks__an_ideal_souff.shtml

Sorry to hear it! Egg whites whip best when they're room temperature. They need to be whipped in a very clean bowl, preferably stainless steel. And a pinch of salt helps them set up. Did you add anything to the eggs?