12 Kitchen Tools That Will Help You Make The Perfect Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs seem like one of the easiest breakfast recipes to make at home. Almost everyone can make scrambled eggs, but it's far less common to make them taste amazing every time. In addition to the many ingredients available, it's also difficult to settle on a tried-and-true method for scrambling eggs. You may lack patience while swirling the eggs around in the pan or might rush the egg preparation. We've all ended up with a plate of soupy eggs or ones dry enough for eaters to reach for the ketchup bottle. This is especially frustrating if you have a group of hungry family members or hard-to-impress friends waiting at the table.
Your scrambled egg-making skills in the kitchen aren't the only factor in making the very best scrambled eggs for breakfast. What tools you use when preparing scrambled eggs may make or break your next attempt. Everything you choose, from the whisk to the pan where scrambled eggs come to life, can make a difference. There are also newer unorthodox options for making scrambling eggs that forego the whisk and the frying pan altogether. We've uncovered key kitchen tools to help you master each step of the process, no matter what path you take. This way, your scrambled eggs can rival any your favorite brunch spot has to offer.
Whip it with a balloon whisk
A whisk is your first step to creating light and airy scrambled eggs. Well-built balloon whisks have a wide head which is terrific for getting plenty of air into your eggs. It is why they're an integral part of whipping up scrambled eggs and works for egg whites, custards, and batters. What you're doing when whisking raw eggs (which you can take out 30 minutes beforehand) transforms their texture. This happens as you whisk, which adds air to the eggs themselves.
The exact texture you achieve is further affected by added ingredients, from milk and sour cream to butter. The Oxo 11-inch Silicone Balloon Whisk is strong and easy to use with its non-slip handle. The comfortable grip allows for more vigorous whisking for as long as is needed. You may even burn a few calories while whipping your soon-to-be scrambled eggs into shape.
Stay smart with a metal mixing bowl
Most mornings, you might grab any old bowl you find in your kitchen cabinets for whisking eggs together. While a mixing bowl seems like the least important part of scrambled eggs, it may end up surprising you. Copper bowls may be the ultimate choice, but other metal, glass, and ceramic alternatives are a bit more affordable. Both stainless steel and glass bowls are best suited for mixing egg whites. What works for the most delicate egg whites should make mixing whole eggs a snap.
We've found Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls work well for bringing eggs together more quickly and completely. Metal bowls conduct heat, which is helpful when you forget to bring your eggs to room temperature. The only bowls you want to avoid for scrambled eggs are made of plastic. The minuscule knicks and grooves that can appear in plastic bowls make them less sanitary than metal or glass. The Cuisinart set of bowls comes in varying sizes, depending on how many mouths you have to feed.
Let an immersion blender do the work
We bet you haven't thought of using an immersion blender to whip up the airiest scrambled eggs. Well, it's time you did. A hand blender is more likely to scramble your uncooked eggs together evenly.
An immersion blender isn't just a way to give your wrist a rest when it comes to whisking eggs. The blender's mechanized power whips more air into eggs than you can, even if your arms are in great shape. This is especially true when you're making an extra large batch. The weight of that many eggs becomes heavy, making it a struggle to produce airy scrambled eggs. The KitchenAid Corded Hand Blender has multiple speeds which you can adjust as you whip. It comes with a 3-cup capacity blending jar, preventing the eggs from ending up on your kitchen countertop, backsplash, or you. Using an immersion blender saves time and effort, so you can concentrate on your scrambling method and not get caught up in the preparation.
Grab a nonstick pan
There's nothing worse than pouring eggs into a pan only to have them stuck there for life. A dependable nonstick pan can be the factor that transforms your beautifully whipped eggs into a finished dish. Nonstick pans have a coated surface that allows whatever is prepared in the pan to be easily extracted. Scrambled eggs love to stick to pans, which is why cast iron pans don't work well in this case.
Nonstick pans have either a synthetic coating or one using sand-like material. You interact quite a bit with your nonstick skillet while scrambling eggs over low heat. If you've ever watched a cook preparing scrambled eggs, all they're doing is moving the eggs around while curds begin to form. Some cooks remove the pan from the heat and put it back on, all while scraping and swirling the eggs. A lightweight nonstick skillet is your best option, so you can shape your scrambled eggs right. The Scanpan Classic Fry Pan comes in a variety of sizes, but the 9.5-inch version works for everyday use. The Stratanium nonstick surface makes it easy for eggs to slide out of the pan and onto a plate, and the Bakelite handle also means you can finish off all kinds of egg dishes safely in the oven.
Keep things smooth with a silicone spatula
As you exercise patience while scrambling eggs low and slow, you might want to have a silicon spatula in your hand. It's the ideal tool for Gordon Ramsay's scrambled eggs since he does the majority of aerating in the pan rather than beforehand.
Silicone spatulas are known for their flexibility, which makes a difference while scraping the sides of the pan constantly. They're crafted with curves, so they conform well to whatever intricate scrambling method you have in mind. A silicone spatula is less likely to leave bits behind to become stagnant and overcooked. It's known for its own nonstick surface, which you need during the sometimes stressful process of making scrambled eggs.
The Rubbermaid High Heat Scraper is a sturdy silicone spatula that's also heat-resistant. This means all that work over an open flame won't get too hot to handle. It also has a built-in groove so you can secure the spatula on the side of the pan without worry. You may toss out your traditional spatula for a silicone one when making everything from cake batters to sauces.
Rice cookers can do double duty
If you're tired of the usual scrambled egg routine, you can always skip the stove and grab your rice cooker instead. While it might seem like a big deal, a rice cooker may be the only way you can perfectly control the heat. Sometimes, a gas burner can't get low enough, while an electric one takes forever to heat up or cool off. When you step away from making scrambled eggs on the stove, you open up a whole new world. In addition to maintaining an even cooking temperature, a rice cooker saves time when you need the stove for other dishes.
The process is easy — simply add the whisked egg mixture into the rice cooker. Make sure the cooker has been coated with non-stick oil and set the temperature to "cook." It shouldn't take more than a few minutes for scrambled eggs. The Cuckoo 6-cup Micom Rice Cooker can hold a lot of scrambled eggs, which helps when you're feeding a bigger crowd.
Quick fix in the microwave
Give your stovetop a break altogether and explore how easy it is to make microwave scrambled eggs. Microwaves naturally create steam, which allows whatever you're heating to retain more moisture. All you'll need is a ramekin or mug to try out this unique cooking process. The Breville Smooth Wave Microwave has adjustable power settings so you don't end up with dry, overcooked eggs.
Once your eggs and any other ingredients are beaten together, simply pop them in the microwave. Remember, you'll have to stop cooking and give the eggs a stir for the airiest texture. A good rule of thumb is to microwave the eggs for one minute and then stir the eggs with a fork. Another minute in the microwave with a bit of butter added during the last stage should provide the scrambled effect.
In order to avoid dry eggs, take them out of the microwave when they're just underdone since they continue to cook once removed. After about a minute out of the microwave, break up the scrambled eggs with a fork to achieve the desired texture. All you'll have is a single cup or bowl and a fork to wash afterward, which saves additional cleanup time.
Take advantage with a silicone fork
A silicone fork may be the most versatile kitchen tool to come along in a while. Unlike the ill-fated spork, it combines a traditional fork shape with the flexibility of silicone. The silicone fork can replace a whisk for whipping eggs and when scrambling them in a pan. Metal utensils, from spatulas to spoons, should be avoided when cooking in a nonstick pan. These pans are typically coated with Teflon, which is liable to scrape off when using metal tools. The last thing you want is to find bits of Teflon coating in your scrambled eggs.
A tool like the Sur La Table Silicone Ultimate Fork is safe to use with Teflon and other nonstick pans. Many believe that whisking scrambled eggs with a fork is a better choice than using a whisk. A fork may allow for more control, while a whisk sometimes beats too much air into the mixture. After all, you're not whisking a meringue here, but making scrambled eggs. It has other uses, too, from mashing and whipping batters to lifting and separating pieces of meat. A silicone fork can perform double duty while whisking and scrambling eggs, only to be tossed into the dishwasher after breakfast is ready.
A new use for your cappuccino machine
You might want to hold off on serving lattes at breakfast time when scrambled eggs are on the menu. It turns out Martha Stewart believes the best-scrambled eggs can be made in your cappuccino machine. While on the set of Food Network's "Chopped," she wowed everyone watching when making scrambled eggs in a matter of seconds. She started by adding eggs, butter, salt, and pepper to a coffee container. Martha then used the machine's steam wand to scramble the eggs to perfection.
The power of the steam makes for super soft scrambled eggs, though you can only make one or two servings at once. Perhaps it's time to jump on the bandwagon and make scrambled eggs in a kitchen appliance like the DeLonghi Espresso Machine. This technique requires a steam wand for frothing milk, which is important to note if you have a machine that only makes espresso. The most obvious question seems to be, how do you clean the steam wand afterward? If you're willing to keep the steam wand clean, you can surprise your friends with this method of almost magical proportions.
A compact egg cooker
Once you've tried the microwave method for scrambling eggs, you might want to employ an egg cooker for the job. Egg cookers are small countertop appliances that offer multiple uses for cooking eggs. They're traditionally set up for poached, soft-boiled, or hard-boiled eggs. The secret is the kind of egg cooker you have on hand. Many egg cookers come with an omelet tray that works just as well for making fluffy scrambled eggs. It's a lot less messy than making scrambled eggs on a stovetop, and all you need is an outlet to plug into.
The Dash Rapid Egg Cooker comes with different trays for making omelets, as well as for boiling and poaching eggs. The water you pour into the tray beneath steams whatever kind of eggs you're preparing in minutes. Once you've mastered plain scrambled eggs, it's easy to add other ingredients to the egg cooker, like cheese or scallions. An egg cooker is a worthwhile kitchen gadget to have around since you can also use it for steaming fish or vegetables when it's dinner time. Although, we're big fans of scrambled eggs for dinner, as well as for breakfast or lunch.
Time for a slow cooker
If you're a "set-it-and-forget-it" type, you'll love the ease with which slow cooker scrambled eggs are made. Once you have a dependable crock pot like the All-Clad 6.5 Quart Slow Cooker, you can produce a large amount of airy scrambled eggs for a group. An important step here is to grease the slow cooker with butter, if possible. You can either brush melted butter on the bottom and sides of the pot or use softened butter. Oil or cooking spray works, too, but butter is probably the most effective (and tasty) choice. Another option is to line the pot with slow cooker paper liner bags, which can be discarded after each use. It helps with cleaning your slow cooker afterward, too.
Like other methods, you can add whatever ingredients you wish to your egg mixture before pouring it into the slow cooker. It typically takes one to two hours for eggs to be ready when cooked on a low setting. Keep checking for firmness, but it shouldn't take more than two hours maximum. In order to get a scrambled egg texture instead of a frittata texture, stir the eggs every 30 minutes or so. A slow cooker is a wonderful resource when you're an early riser with a couple of hours to kill. It's also especially helpful when you have a bunch of hungry people around who are craving scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Saucepan surprise
Just when you thought you knew every method to make scrambled eggs, we've got one more surprise in store. Did you know you can make scrambled eggs by boiling them in a pot just as you would poached eggs? Chef Daniel Patterson uses this somewhat peculiar method with only three necessary ingredients: eggs, salt, and pepper. That's not to say you can't add milk or butter to your egg mixture. All you'll need is a saucepan that provides even heating, like the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Saucepan. A saucepan with a cover is ideal since it's an important step for this method.
Stir the already boiling water with a spoon to create a whirlpool effect before adding in the egg mixture. Cover the pot and count to 20. It's also a good idea to have a strainer ready, so you can get rid of any excess moisture before digging in. A slotted spoon makes extracting your eggs easier than trying to prevent them from pouring into the sink along with the remaining water. Boiling scrambled eggs shouldn't take long and is a fun challenge for all the scrambled egg aficionados out there.
Static Media owns and operates Tasting Table and Mashed.