How do I keep poached eggs from sticking in the cups?
Eggssentials calls the coating PFOA-free nonstick, which should release a properly cooked egg on its own once the white has fully set; pulling it out too early, while the white is still loose, is the most common cause of tearing or sticking. A light wipe of oil or butter in each cup before adding the egg is standard practice with any nonstick insert, and the cups do still need a spritz of cooking spray. For timing, six extra-large eggs take about 5 minutes under the lid, sometimes another minute, and eggs drained of their thin, watery white through a sieve beforehand cook more evenly than ones that aren't.
Will this poacher work on an induction cooktop?
Yes. Eggssentials rates the pan for all stove types, including induction. The body is heavy stainless steel with a 3-ply aluminum-encapsulated bottom, a construction meant to spread heat quickly and evenly and eliminate hot spots, which is meant to help all six cups cook at a similar pace.
How do I clean the Eggssentials poacher and its insert?
Eggssentials rates the pan dishwasher safe and says the nonstick insert cups can go in the dishwasher. A repeat buyer who uses two of these every week advises otherwise: they warn that the middle section holding the cups will develop corrosion spots if it goes in the dishwasher or is left sitting wet in the sink, so they hand-wash every part and dry that section straight away. For the nonstick cups specifically, hand-washing with a soft sponge will also extend coating life, since abrasive detergent and sustained high heat are what wear nonstick coatings down over years.
Does the handle stay cool while the eggs cook?
Eggssentials designs the handle to stay cool to the touch, protecting your hand from the heat, and the glass lid has a Bakelite knob for lifting it. The pan itself is heavy at 4.7 pounds before any water, so lift it off the burner with a steady grip. The handles and knobs feel good in the hand, and recent versions appear to have a new lid knob and possibly a new handle.
Is this poacher worth it compared to cheaper options?
The case for it rests on consistency rather than on being the cheapest option. It does well on ease of use, cleaning, functionality and value for money, and one repeat buyer who owns two sizes calls it the best available right now, even while wishing the insert were made from a better grade of stainless steel. Eggssentials also draws a line against cheaper poachers that use plastic insert cups, which can melt on a hot stovetop; this one pairs a heavy stainless body and aluminum-encapsulated base with nonstick-coated cups that lift out individually.
How many eggs does it poach at once, and what size works best?
The insert holds six eggs at a time, with each cup at 75 ml, sized, per Eggssentials, for XL and Jumbo eggs rather than smaller Large eggs. Smaller eggs simply sit with more room around them while the white sets. The pan is 10 inches across and weighs 4.7 pounds, so check it against your burner and cabinet space before buying.
