Can you sous vide eggs in their shells without pre-poking holes? Find out if this step is necessary or if you can place them directly in the water bath.
1 Answer
Yes, you can sous vide eggs in their shells without pre-poking holes. The shell is porous enough to allow air to escape during the cooking process.
Detailed Explanation:
Sous vide cooking involves submerging food in a temperature-controlled water bath. When cooking eggs sous vide, the water temperature is carefully regulated to achieve the desired yolk and white consistency. The eggshell, while seemingly impermeable, is actually porous. This porosity allows air to escape from the egg as it heats up in the water bath, preventing the egg from cracking due to internal pressure. The rate of air expansion is slow enough that the shell can handle the pressure without needing pre-poked holes. Different temperatures and cooking times will yield different results, ranging from runny yolks to fully cooked eggs. Experimentation is key to finding your perfect sous vide egg.
Pro Tip:
Use fresh eggs for the best results. Older eggs may have a larger air pocket, which could potentially increase the risk of cracking, although it's still unlikely.