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Writer's pictureHigh Altitude Baker

Boiling EGGS at Different HIGH ALTITUDE Elevations Explained in Detail...

Updated: Apr 30, 2023


At high altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature, which can make it more difficult to boil eggs and achieve the desired consistency. However, you can still boil eggs for easy peeling at different altitudes by adjusting the cooking time and temperature. Here are some general guidelines for boiling eggs at different altitudes:


At 3000 feet: Boil eggs for 9-10 minutes.

At 4000 feet: Boil eggs for 8-9 minutes.


At 5000 feet:

  1. Start with fresh eggs, as they will be easier to peel after boiling. You can use eggs at room temperature or straight from the fridge.

  2. Fill a pot with enough water to cover the eggs with at least 1 inch of water. Use a pot that is large enough to hold all of the eggs in a single layer.

  3. Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil over high heat. At 5000 feet, water boils at a lower temperature than at sea level, so it will boil more quickly.

  4. Once the water is boiling, use a slotted spoon to carefully lower the eggs into the pot. Make sure they are fully submerged in the water.

  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low, so that the water is simmering gently. You want to maintain a temperature of around 190-195°F (88-90°C) at 5000 feet, which is lower than the 212°F (100°C) boiling point at sea level.

  6. Set a timer for 12 minutes for large eggs, 10 minutes for medium eggs, and 15 minutes for extra-large eggs. At 5000 feet, eggs may take slightly longer to cook than at sea level, so adjust the cooking time as needed.

  7. Once the eggs are cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process and help prevent the yolks from turning green.

At 6000 feet: Follow the same steps as for 5000 feet, but reduce the temperature to around 185-190°F (85-88°C) and adjust the cooking time as needed. Large eggs should take around 11-12 minutes to cook at 6000 feet.

At 7000 feet: Follow the same steps as for 5000 feet, but reduce the temperature to around 180-185°F (82-85°C) and adjust the cooking time as needed. Large eggs should take around 10-11 minutes to cook at 7000 feet.

At 8000 feet: Follow the same steps as for 5000 feet, but reduce the temperature to around 175-180°F (79-82°C) and adjust the cooking time as needed. Large eggs should take around 9-10 minutes to cook at 8000 feet.

At 9000 feet: Follow the same steps as for 5000 feet, but reduce the temperature to around 170-175°F (77-79°C) and adjust the cooking time as needed. Large eggs should take around 8-9 minutes to cook at 9000 feet.

At 10000 feet: Follow the same steps as for 5000 feet, but reduce the temperature to around 165-170°F (74-77°C) and adjust the cooking time as needed. Large eggs should take around 7-8 minutes to cook at 10000 feet.


Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and the cooking time may vary depending on factors such as the size of the egg and how you like your yolks cooked. To achieve easy-to-peel eggs, you may also want to use eggs that are a few days old, as fresher eggs can be more difficult to peel. Once the eggs are done boiling, transfer them to an ice bath to cool down quickly and stop the cooking process, which can also make them easier to peel.


BUT WAIT.... that doesn't make sense .... everything takes longer at altitude... WELL - NOT EVERYTHING.... READ ON...


At higher altitudes, it actually takes less time to boil an egg than it does at sea level. This is because the boiling point of water decreases at higher altitudes due to the lower air pressure.


For every 500 feet increase in altitude, the boiling point of water decreases by approximately 1°F (0.6°C). As a result, water boils at a lower temperature and eggs will cook faster than they would at sea level.


Ensuring the accuracy of your oven's temperature is critical. To achieve this, it's advisable to use an oven thermometer https://amzn.to/3nak47H . Additionally, it's essential to check the temperature of the cake, bread, or meats you're baking or cooking with an internal thermometer. As a result, I recommend investing in a thermometer to monitor your cooking and baking accurately. Don't procrastinate as your next cake or dish may rely on it.


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