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Angela Wenum/Demand Media

If you need an effortless way to peel eggs, then try adding a little baking soda to the pan while they boil. Baking soda helps add alkalinity to the water, which will make the shells hard and easy to remove. You no longer have to buy eggs and then wait to boil them. Cooks recommend refraining from using fresh eggs because the shells don't peel easily, but using baking soda will help alleviate that problem.

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Angela Wenum/Demand Media

Place the desired number of eggs in an empty pot. Make sure you use a shallow pot so that water will completely cover the eggs.

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Angela Wenum/Demand Media

Pour cold water into the pot. Cover the eggs completely with at least 1 inch of water.

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Angela Wenum/Demand Media

Add 1 tablespoon of salt and 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda to the water. The salt helps the proteins in the eggs coagulate, which means they become firm and are more likely to seal if they crack in the pan. The addition of baking soda aids in removing the shells from the eggs when they finish boiling.

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Angela Wenum/Demand Media

Place a lid over the pot. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

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Angela Wenum/Demand Media

Turn the heat off once the water boils. Keep the pot on the warm stove top with the lid. Leave the eggs in the hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not time the eggs until the water starts boiling.

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Angela Wenum/Demand Media

Remove the pan from the stove top. Run cold water over the eggs to stop them from cooking. Allow the eggs to cool completely before you begin peeling the shells.

Tip

You can immediately place the boiled eggs in ice water to cool them more rapidly.

Warning

Eating raw or undercooked eggs can result in salmonella poisoning.