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Kitchen Guide

How to Separate Eggs

Separating eggs isn't as hard as many people think. Become a master of this important cooking technique with info from my article.

Tom the Chef Tom the Chef Founder
Published:
October 19, 2023

Tips Before You Start

  • You will need just two bowls to do so (for egg whites and for egg yolks). One could be the kitchen mixer bowl (if you are doing whipped egg whites first), or you can use just two regular bowls.
  • I like to prepare the exact amount of eggs to make sure that I don’t end up accidently using an incorrect amount.
  • It is much easier to separate eggs while they are chilled. If a recipe calls for room temperature egg whites or egg yolks, it is best to separate them while chilled, and then let them reach room temperature on the countertop while covered to prevent drying out.

1. Crack Eggs:

1.1

Cracking eggs first helps you to separate the egg shell into two parts in the following step. How you do that is totally up to you.

1.2.

I find it easiest to crack the egg on the bowl’s edge or to use a dull knife. Either option lets you have a precise crack, which is almost like a cut. Some people prefer to crack them on solid flat surface.

Egg Separation-02Egg Separation-03

2. Split the Egg Shell Into Two Parts:

A.

Place both thumbs close to the place of the future crack and perform a fast but short movement towards the bowl’s edge to perform the crack. After cracking the egg, hold it straight up (the bottom part of the egg should point down), and then pull the egg into two parts. Let the yolk rest in the bottom half of the egg shell while the egg white is dripping down.

B.

Or, hold the egg in one hand and perform a short but fast motion with a dull knife to perform the crack. After cracking the egg, hold it straight up (the bottom part of the egg should point down), and then using both hands, pull the egg into two parts. Let the yolk rest in the bottom half of the eggshell while the egg white drips down.

Egg Separation-04Egg Separation-05Egg Separation-06

3. Complete Egg Separation:

3.1.

When the top part of the eggshell is empty, carefully pour the yolk with the remaining whites into that part while taking advantage of the part of the egg white dripping off.

3.2.

Repeat this step by pouring the yolk with the remaining whites back into the empty halves until all of the whites are sitting in the bowl.

3.3.

Then, place the egg yolk into the bowl designated for egg yolks.

3.4.

Another method is to let the egg yolk and the white slide into the fingers of one hand that are held over the bowl. The white part drips down while the yolk is stopped by your fingers.

Egg Separation-07Egg Separation-08Egg Separation-09Egg Separation-10Egg Separation-11Egg Separation-12Egg Separation-01

How to Make it Easier?

If you feel insecure about this process, you may consider using a third helping bowl too. It will help you to prevent mistakes of letting the yolk break into the whites:

  • Crack the egg and place the egg white into the extra bowl.
  • If the result is successful, you then pour the egg whites into the other bowl (where the future egg whites will accumulate).
  • If this fails, you will have the choice to not use that egg.
  • Then you repeat the steps with the other eggs.

Don’t get intimidated!

It may sound hard, but it really is not. The best way to gain confidence is to practice, but even the first time will be successful if you follow these steps. You may be a little slower, which is totally fine for the beginning.

About the Author:
Tom the ChefFounder
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  • Member since: 2023-02-02
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