My apologies if this has been mentioned above as I did not read the entire thread.

Regarding Peace's post :

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Subject: RE: BS: The three-minute egg
From: Peace - PM
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 08:13 PM

OK, michaelr. I have been guessing, and I suspect so have other people here. I have found a site that will simplify this whole thing.
Site that will simplify this whole thing (see clicky in Peace's post). It makes the process really clear. Really.
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The use of the result of the derivation is precluded because the boundary condition set with respect to the initial temperature of the water in the pan (indeed, the use of a pan shows that the analysis was done by a geek that never learned to boil an egg properly) is impractical. Even if the egg is at room temperature, when placed in boiling water the shell will usually crack, resulting in a messy pot.

I would suggest that the analysis would be much better served (pun intended) if T-delta were incorporated as a boundary condition, where T-delta = T-egg minus T-water, and such condition set at less than 30 degrees Celsius. Given such a condition, the initial warming, being gradual and mutual, of the egg and water, reduces shell cracking propensity. While T-egg and T-water may vary up to thirty degrees Celsius, I postulate that the result of the revised derivation, given the gradual and mutual warming of the egg and water, will be valid and that T-delta may be considered insignificant and, therefore, ignored.

In other words, if you are putting your eggs in boiling water, you should learn how to cook.

It takes three minutes to boil an egg this way. Extra large take four minutes and fifteen seconds. Jumbo eggs? Scramble them.

You're welcome.