Buying guide
Egg Cups: Sizes, Styles and Soft-Boiled Egg Timings
Egg cup styles, which suit large or duck eggs, and a timing table for soft-, medium- and hard-boiled eggs.
A boiled egg with toast soldiers is the simplest breakfast there is, and an egg cup that holds the egg steady makes it much easier to eat.
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Styles
| Style | Notes |
|---|---|
| Footed cup | Stable; the classic shape |
| Bucket or straight-sided | Holds the egg low; stacks easily |
| Double egg cup | Two ends: one for a hen's egg, the wider one for a duck egg |
| Wire spiral | Fits many sizes; less stable |
| Egg cup with a plate | Room for the shell and toast |
Duck and very large hen's eggs can be too big for a standard cup; look for a double or wide cup.
Boiled egg timings
For large eggs straight from the fridge, lowered into water that is already boiling:
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| 5–6 minutes | Soft: set white, runny yolk for dipping |
| 7–8 minutes | Medium: jammy yolk |
| 10–11 minutes | Hard: firm yolk; cool in cold water |
Take 1 minute off for medium eggs, or for eggs at room temperature. A kitchen timer is more reliable than guessing. Serve with toast from a toast rack.
How we choose
BeneRecipes compares tools using manufacturer specifications and retailer listings. We have not tested these products ourselves and don't publish star ratings. We explain which type suits which cook and why.
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