Everyone likes a hard-boiled egg now and again. Protein-packed, they’re compact, delicious, and easy to make — but when you get right down to it, what is the best pot for boiling eggs, anyway?
In most cases, a good saucepan is the best fit. You have enough depth inside for boiling eggs and some of them have pour spouts and drainage so that you don’t even need a colander when it’s time to drain them. They also tend to be made of stainless steel, or stainless steel with an aluminum core at the base, so you get good, even heating in a pan that you won’t have to replace anytime soon – as long as you choose wisely!
In today’s article, we’re going to talk about what to look for in an egg-boiling pot or pan, as well as show you some of our favorite picks for doing the job efficiently and with a bit of style. We’ll also answer some common questions along the way and before we go, we’ll post our 3 favorites from the list.
What’s the best pot for boiling eggs? Read on and we’ll tell you which ones we liked and why!
Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance
For those of you in a hurry, we’ll go ahead and ‘give up the goods’ with a sneak peek at our favorite 3 best pots for boiling eggs. For a more comprehensive look and to view the ones we’ve showcased today, just be sure to bookmark us and you can come back and read more at your leisure.
Our top 3 selections were the following:
- Most robust – MSMK 1.5 Quart Saucepan – Heat-resistant up to 700 degrees and lined with a German limestone coating, this is a saucepan you might get 2 decades or more use out of – it’s as robust as they come!
- Most Cost-effective quality – AVACRAFT Stainless Steel SaucePan – With 2 pour spouts, an ergonomic handle, a clear top, and a 2.5-quart capacity, you get an amazing quality saucepan at around the price of a pair of large pizzas and that’s a fine thing, indeed.
- Most versatile – HexClad 1 Quart Hybrid Stainless Steel Pot – With their proprietary coating and laser-etched hexagonal surface, you get a compact hybrid saucepan that’s got some unique versatility that’s all its own – this one’s worth a closer look!
Finding the best pot for boiling eggs
If you like to boil up eggs from time to time for snacking, then there are a few things that you’ll want to look for in your boiling pot.
First off, for most home uses, a saucepan is usually the most practical. That’s because you just need to ensure that there’s an inch of water over the top of the eggs for proper boiling and saucepans tend to be nice and deep.
There are a few more considerations to keep in mind, however, so let’s take a quick peek at those before we start exploring some of the pots and pans available on the market that can best fit your needs.
Materials
Stainless steel is going to be your best option for boiling eggs and a lot of models will offer a stainless steel base with an aluminum core – which is also great for boiling eggs. Harder metals, such as iron, are not really as good a fit – there’s too much chance of cracking your eggs and making a mess when you’re loading them. So, stick with stainless steel or combinations of stainless steel and aluminum for best results.
See-through cover
While this is optional, it is certainly nice to be able to see your eggs while they are cooking without having to open the lid.
That said, some folks prefer an opaque lid, rather than the often-domed transparent ones and there are practical reasons for this. Often, they are better fitted, much more durable, and more heat-resistant should you desire to use that same pan for another dish in your oven.
Just a little food for thought!
Storage factors
When you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you can accumulate all kinds of cookware, appliances, and other useful tools – sometimes to the point that you really have to be careful with space. This is another reason why we prefer saucepans for boiling eggs – they are deep enough for the job, don’t take up a lot of space, and you can use them for pasta, veggies, and other useful functions without taking up so much space.
Volume required
Speaking of space, the pot or pan that you choose will also need to factor in your required volume.
For most boiled egg-snacking needs, a saucepan will be sufficient, but if you really need to boil eggs in volume and you’ve got the space for it, then an 8-quart stock pot might be the best fit for you. That will give you enough space to boil a dozen eggs at a time but if you don’t need that kind of volume, then the saucepan is really going to be the best fit.
Stove Compatibility
Finally, if you have an induction stove, you’ll need to make sure that the pot or pan you choose is going to work with it. Thankfully, this will be clearly stated on the packaging, so if you have a gas, electric, or induction stove you should be able to see at a glance that your new pot will be compatible with it.
Best pots for boiling eggs
In the sections below, we’ve collected a list of some of your best pot and pan options available on Amazon that we think you’re going to love! For each listing, we’ll tell you about the specs and features and we’ll also cover what we liked and didn’t like for each model.
Let’s take a look!
QUIENKITCH 1.5 Quart Stainless Steel Saucepan with Pour Spout, Saucepan with Glass Lid
Our first pot for boiling eggs is this nifty 1.5-quart QUIENKITCH saucepan, which features a stainless-steel triple-bond construction and an aluminum core at the base. Add in that you’ve got a handy pour spout and a clear glass top that lets you peek in on your eggs and drain them easily, and you’ve got a pretty versatile saucepan that just-so-happens to be perfect for boiling eggs when you like.
This saucepan measures in at 6.3″D x 5.91″ W x 5.12″H – now let’s look at the pros and cons!
The Pros:
The 18/10 stainless steel is both beautiful and durable – so you’ll want to show it off. Cleanup is also quite easy and good for induction and standard gas and ceramic-type stoves. Aside from eggs, this versatile saucepan is also perfect for pasta, veggies, and just about anything you like – all in all, it’s really a nice piece of cookware.
The Cons:
The handle is a little shorter than usual, which is ideal for storage and still quite usable, but may not appeal to everyone. Aside from this, the one exception to the ‘easy cleaning’ status is the lid – you can get some gunk in there from time to time and it will need a soak for proper cleaning, but this definitely doesn’t happen all of the time.
2-quart Jalz Jalz Stainless Steel Saucepan With Glass Lid
Next up we have this 2 quart Jalz Jalz saucepan and it’s a fine piece of workmanship. This saucepan includes a nice pour spout, as well as measurement markings inside, and it’s made of lovely and solid 18/10 gauge stainless steel. The glass-top lid also features drainage holes, so that you won’t need a colander, and it’s double-riveted so that you’ll be enjoying this saucepan for many years to come.
This pan measures 6.2″D x 8″ W x 7.5″H and is good for induction, standard gas, and electric stoves.
The Pros:
We liked the solid construction and the look of this pan. While it doesn’t take up a lot of space, it’s plenty deep, which means a lot of versatility for your cooking needs. The markings inside are clear and useful, as well, and the drainage holes work quite well with that handy spout.
The Cons:
The lid on this model doesn’t fit as tightly as we might like, so a little extra care when draining the pot is called for to avoid any trouble. The handle for it is also a two-piece number, rather than a singular handle, and that may not appeal to everyone.
Ciwete 2 Quart Sauce Pan with Lid, Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan 2 Qt with Stainless Steel Lid
If you aren’t set on a see-through glass top (or if you don’t like them at all), then this Ciwete 2-quart saucepan might just be a perfect fit.
Made of 18/10 steel with an aluminum core at the base, instead of a glass top you get a flat steel one, so you can cover the pot just fine if you don’t mind lifting it for the occasional peek. This saucepan measures 6.3″D x 6.3″W x 3.94″H and is good for standard electric, gas, and induction stovetops.
The Pros:
We liked the overall construction of this pot – it’s solid, right down to the secure riveting to hold the handle firmly in place. It’s also oven-safe to 400 degrees, so you’ve really got a lot of useful range when you aren’t boiling eggs – you can make veggies, pasta, fries, and bakes. It’s a compact and useful saucepan that’s built to last.
The Cons:
It’s roomy but for some folks, the lack of a glass lid or spout may be a dealbreaker. It’s also a little thinner than we expected on the bottom but still seems quite durable, just a little lighter than we expected.
AVACRAFT 2.5 quart Stainless Steel Saucepan with Glass Strainer Lid
This AVACRAFT 2.5 quart stainless steel saucepan will give you PLENTY of cooking room for boiling eggs, pasta, sauces, veggies, and more!
The saucepan itself is 18/10 stainless steel with a 5-ply base for even heating and inside of the pan, you’ve got measurements marked for convenience and it’s topped with a shatterproof glass lid. That lid even comes with a silicone handle, so that you won’t have to worry about the heat, and drainage holes in the steel framework perfectly with the dual set of drainage spouts that are part of its design.
The measurements for the AVACRAFT are 8″D x 14.5″ W x 7.5″H and it’s a good fit for induction, electric, and gas stoves.
The Pros:
The AVACRAFT is a solid piece of work and we liked little details like the matte finish inside, as it helps to keep staining at bay – a common pitfall with a lot of shiny, stainless-steel pots and pans. The dual spouts were also a nice touch, as most models just give you one.
The Cons:
The handle may not be your favorite part if you have smaller hands. It’s great at resisting heat, although the 1-2 inch area at the front of the handle DOES get hot and this can be awkward if you like to grip it close to the pot.
VENTION 1.5 quart Saucepan with Pour Spout, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid
Sweet, petite, and stylish – this VENTION 1.5 quart saucepan really looks nice in the kitchen and gets the job done RIGHT.
Featuring a wooden-style bakelite handle for easy handling with the heat, this saucepan also comes with a see-through top that is tinted and also features a faux ‘wooden’ style knob to match the look of the handle. The pan itself is made from 18/8 stainless steel with a 3-layer bottom and inside it has measurements marked for you, as well as a handy pour spout for easy drainage.
The VENTION 1.5 quart measures in at 6.6″D x 13.4″ W x 6.5″H and works with gas, electric, and induction-style stoves.
The Pros:
If you don’t need a huge saucepan for boiling eggs, pasta, and other snacks, then the VENTION really is an aesthetically pleasing saucepan that’s both inexpensive and robust. You can also get a right or left-hand spout placement option, which is definitely a nice touch for the ‘lefties’ out there who get skipped way too often when it comes to accommodating cookware.
The Cons:
The handle on top does get a little hot – so that can take some adjusting and won’t be everyone’s cup of tea!
HexClad 1 Quart Hybrid Stainless Steel Pot with Glass Lid and Stay-Cool Handle
The most compact saucepan on the list, this 1-quart HexClad Hybrid Stainless steel saucepan is great for boiling eggs and just about anything else you fancy in a pinch! Laser-etched with a proprietary hexagonal pattern that helps to improve cooking efficiency, this pot also features a layer of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel at the base for nice, even heating, and a cooking surface composed of diamond dust, steel, and ceramics that is amazingly efficient.
The saucepan is also glass-topped, with a wide handle for much safer handling and control. It’s also non-stick, oven-safe up to 500 degrees, and good for induction, electric, and gas stoves. The HexClad measures in at a compact 6.25″D x 13″ W x 3.25″H, as well, so it’s also easily stored!
The Pros:
The proprietary design is a good one – you’ve got a compact, but ultra-efficient saucepan that has excellent heat distribution that you’ll definitely appreciate. The hybrid technology is also quite a perk – you get the best of stainless steel and non-stick, all in one tiny but mighty saucepan, and we have to say that we definitely liked this pan.
The Cons:
While the hybrid technology is undoubtedly very cool, it also means that you can’t really scrub it out as aggressively as you would with a completely stainless-steel model. We should also mention that while the saucepan is heat resistant to 500 degrees, that glass top is only resistant to 400 – something that’s definitely better to know NOW than later.
MSMK 1.5 Quart Saucepan
If you want a long-lasting saucepan for boiling your eggs and crafting perfect sauces, then look no further than this MSMK 1.5-quart saucepan. Made of hard, anodized aluminum and stainless steel with a German limestone non-stick coating, this is a saucepan that is designed to last 20 years!
It doesn’t have a lot of ‘bells and whistles’ beyond this – it’s all about utility. You’ve got a see-through glass top with a wide handle for easy handling and the handle itself has a non-slip surface that’s designed to be anti-scalding, as well.
Designed to work with induction, gas, and electric stoves, the MSMK measures 6.3″D x 16″ W x 3.1″H, so it won’t be taking up much space until you’re ready to bring it out to work some culinary magic.
The Pros:
The MSMK is really made to last and as another point in its favor, it is heat-resistant up to 700 degrees in the oven! It even comes with a lifetime warranty and these days, that’s a rarity all on its own. If you want a saucepan that has some serious thought put into its design for utility, then this will be your new favorite saucepan.
The Cons:
It has a longer handle, rather than a short, stout one, so this may be a concern for those with very limited storage space, but otherwise, we had no other complaints with this model.
All-Clad 3-Quart D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Sauce Pan with Lid
All-Clad’s D3 3-ply stainless steel saucepan is a solid choice if you don’t need a transparent lid but you DO need a lot of utility. This 18/10 gauge stainless steel 3-quart saucepan is triple-ply for even heat distribution and it extends all the way up to the rim. Feel like baking a little? It’s also heat-resistant up to 600 degrees, so boiling, baking, or heating oils is well within your operational range.
This saucepan measures 8.25″D x 16.63″ W x 6.88″H and also features a wide lid handle, and a long panhandle to help keep you from getting scalded, far from being clunky, this svelte saucepan only weighs about 3 pounds. You can also use it on gas, electric, and induction stoves – wherever you need a good saucepan1
The Pros:
The construction of this saucepan is quite nice and most evident when you pick it up. Saucepans sometimes feel a bit clunky, but the All-Clad feels solid and well-balanced – you can tell right away that it’s going to last. Add in that All-Clad throws in a lifetime warranty and it makes for a happy purchase that you can get lots of mileage out of.
The Cons:
The handle design is a ‘love it or hate it’ type scenario – it’s long and thin and may or may not be your cup of tea. Aside from this, the lid can definitely get hot quite easily and we would have liked to see a pour spout implemented in the design for easy draining – something to keep in mind if that’s a dealbreaker for you.
Tramontina Covered Sauce Pan Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Clad 1.5-Quart
Short and sweet, this Tramontina 1.5 quart covered saucepan is made of quality 18/10 stainless steel and features a tri-ply construction and aluminum core. Precision cast and also riveted for a solid heft and feel, you won’t get a see-through top with this model but you will get heat resistance of up to 500 degrees if you feel like moving your saucepan into the oven.
Great for gas, electric, and induction stoves, the Tramontina measures 5.75″D x 13″ W x 5.75″H and comes with a mirror finish that will remind you that you’ve got a quality saucepan at your beck and call for whenever you like!
The Pros:
At 2 ½ pounds, the weight is enough for the pan to feel durable, but not so much that it’s unwieldy when you want to use it. We also liked the wide handle for the lid and its excellent fit – you can check the insides with confidence once you’ve got the feel for it, as opposed to other models we’ve seen with poorly fitting lids where peeking feels ‘risky’. It’s not a fancy saucepan, just solid and well-designed.
The Cons:
Some folks may not like the lack of a transparent top or pour spout, but we found that we still liked this pan anyway so that’s going to be a call that you’ll have to make for yourself.
Cook N Home 3 quart Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Sauce Pan with Lid
Our final entry is this Cook N Home Quart Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel saucepan and it’s a beauty. Oven safe up to 500 degrees, this saucepan is constructed from 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum core for even heating and compatibility with gas, electric, and induction stove models. It features a glass top and a riveted steel handle that is both secure and air-flow regulated from its shape to help keep the handle cool.
The Cook N Home measures 15″D x 7″ W x 4.5″H and at 3 lbs it feels exactly like what it is – a well-made saucepan that you’ll be getting a lot of quality use out of!
The Pros:
With the weight and riveting, we liked the way that this pan felt and handled – it doesn’t feel like a cheap saucepan at all. We also really liked the glass top design. It is designed to fit more like an insert, rather than a ‘dome’ atop your pan, and if you’ve ever accidentally nudged a ‘dome top’ the wrong way then you know exactly why it’s refreshing to be able to avoid this.
The Cons:
While the handle design does help to cool it for handling, it can and does still get a little hot so you will need to be careful. Aside from this, the lid can be a little tricky to clean if you get it gunky, but this will just mean the occasional soak when you cook up something delicious and messy!
FAQs
That’s just about all of the time that we have for today, but before we check out we’ve got a few frequently asked questions that can help to cover any bit that we’ve missed along the way. Let’s take a look!
What’s the best size saucepan for boiling eggs?
That depends on how many you want, but on average, a 6-inch saucepan is a good fit for boiling 4 eggs, while a 7-inch saucepan is perfect for cooking up to 6 at a time. If you will be cooking 12 or more, however, then you’ll want to go with a stock pot of 8 quarts or higher for best results.
Can you boil eggs in any pot?
Technically, yes, any pot will do, as long as you wait until the water is boiling before putting in the eggs. That said, stainless steel is really the best option.
An aluminum-only pot, for instance, is going to heat a whole lot faster and if the water isn’t boiling already, the eggs could be damaged before you get there. With an iron pot, the hard metal can be risky for the eggs if they end up moving too much and they might crack, and it also takes a little longer to heat the denser metal.
Stainless steel will heat at a perfect pace and is generally your best bet.
How do you clean a saucepan after boiling eggs?
The easiest way to clean your saucepan after boiling some eggs is to add 1 cup of vinegar into 4 cups of water and then you just boil it for about 5 minutes. Let it cool after that and then a standard clean and rinse should be all that you need to finish.
The Verdict -Our Top 3 (and the Reasoning Behind it!)
Now that you’ve had a look at some of the best saucepans on the market for boiling eggs and more, it’s time for us to tell you our favorites and why we picked them. Let’s look at the top 3 and we’ll tell you a little more about each before we wrap things up for the day!
Most robust – MSMK 1.5 Quart Saucepan
The MSMK is the kind of saucepan that is really made to last. Constructed with stainless steel and anodized aluminum, the handle is riveted securely and it features a wide latch on top of the shatterproof tempered glass lid – did we mention it’s also scratch-resistant?
Lines with a limestone non-stick coating from Germany, this baby can also handle up to 700 degrees in the oven – making this the most robust option on our list, hands-down.
Most Cost-effective quality – AVACRAFT Stainless Steel Sauce Pan
Priced to go, the AVACRAFT Stainless Steel Sauce Pan is capacious, well-made, and really packs in the bells and whistles. You’ve got measurements on the inside that come in handy, drainage holes on the lid so that you won’t need a colander, and not one but TWO pour spouts, so you can use it left or right-handed instead of having to order a special model and hope the right one comes in the mail.
It’s an excellent value and a fantastic saucepan to add to your collection.
Most versatile – HexClad 1 Quart Hybrid Stainless Steel Pot
HexClad is our final pick and it’s the most versatile. The cooking surface on it is a proprietary thing of beauty, with hexagonal laser etched patterns, along with ceramic and diamond dust, while the pot itself is stainless steel with a layer of aluminum sandwiched in the base. If you’re looking for a versatile portable saucepan that you can boil eggs in, whip up soups or pasta, and generally get a lot of quality use out of, then this model really warrants a closer look.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our exploration today on the best pots for boiling eggs and if you feel so inclined, be sure to share your comments and feedback before you go! Until next time, we wish you and yours the very best!
David learned to cook at an early age after his mother told him that he couldn't live on pizza forever, Dave uses his modest kitchen skills to recreate sorely-missed recipes from home and to occasionally make new favorite ones from places he is visiting.