An egg poacher is a special pan designed to poach eggs. When eggs are poached, they are simmered gently in water or another liquid, such as wine. It is important to complete the process in a gentle manner in order to prevent the egg from falling apart.
When looking for an egg poacher, there are several things you should consider. First, you need to decide if you will use your egg poacher for more than just eggs. Many additional foods can be poached, including poultry, red meat, fish, fruit, and even pudding. If you plan to use the egg poacher for other foods, this might have an impact on the characteristics that are important to you. For example, pudding cooks best in an egg poacher that allows the pudding to be half-submerged in the liquid used for poaching.
You should also consider the number of cups included in the egg poacher. The most common design includes four poaching containers, which may not be enough if you have a large family or plan to use your egg poacher when entertaining guests. If you shop around, you can find an egg poacher with six or more cups.
The material used to make the egg poacher is also important. Stainless steel is a good material for the pan, as it is easy to clean and helps distribute the heat evenly. Because poaching is a somewhat sensitive cooking technique, it is helpful to have complete control over the heat let off by the egg poacher.
While the cups of the egg poacher can also be made of stainless steel, it is most important to find one with non-stick cups for the eggs. The shape of the poached egg is important for the presentation of the meal, and a non-stick egg poacher makes it far simpler to remove the eggs in one piece. It is also beneficial to have an egg poacher with separate egg cups, so the eggs can be removed individually.
A clear lid is another beneficial feature in an egg poacher. With a clear lid, you can easily watch the eggs inside to determine whether they are ready to be removed. With this feature, you do not have to remove the lid to check the eggs and risk disturbing the cooking process.