Best Egg Poacher Pan For Home Chefs

Get cracking with cookware that makes poaching eggs a pleasure.

Best egg poacher pan

by Natalie Knowles |
Updated on

For perfect runny yolks every time, you need the best egg poacher pan. Dippy egg is difficult to get just right, which is why it's worth investing in purpose-designed cookware. The best pots and pans are made of sturdy stainless steel and aluminium for fast and even heat distribution. In addition, look for riveted handles, cool-touch grips and a toughened glass lid so you can monitor your food as it cooks. An egg poacher pan typically has a non-stick coating, and removable poaching cups and is compatible with all hob types. It's for lovers of perfectly poached eggs who need to cook more than one at a time. Typically a stovetop pan accommodates four eggs, or you could invest in an electric egg cooker that can poach up to six eggs at a time.

An egg poacher pan is convenient, saves time and promotes healthier cooking with minimal oil. Plus, there's none of that faff with boiling a sauce pan of water and the disappointment of the whites separating from the yolk. They say a dash of vinegar solves this, but what a bother in the morning when you just want a poached egg and sausage sandwich to go! All it takes is a couple of minutes for tender, runny yolks surrounded by a delicately set egg white. Saves on a cupboard full of little steel rings and ramekins too, which – unless you use a lot of oil – end up sticking.

For even faster protein-packed breakfasts, you could opt for silicone rings, a microwave egg poacher (or microwave an egg in a mug). But there's something more purist about cooking honest eggs on a hob – nostalgic – quintessential, like English muffins. Investing in an egg poacher pan is something cooks do because they love the theatre of the kitchen. Along with a skillet pan, Dutch oven and stock pot, in many respects an egg poacher pan is an accoutrement rather than essential. But doesn't it just taste better, somehow?

Best Egg Poacher Pan At A Glance

Go one better and invest in an egg coddler (they make a fabulous gift idea for the so-and-so who's got everything). But bear in mind that these decorative little pots only hold one egg. So, if you're feeding a family or a hungry twosome, opting for an egg poacher pan is a more practical choice. For more guidance (yes, on how to poach an egg), scroll to the FAQs section.

Best Egg Poacher Pan

Best overall egg poacher pan

Best overall egg poacher pan

Savour smoked salmon Eggs Royale on a toasted bagel that's crowned with hollandaise sauce. The Scanpan Impact 20cm Egg Poacher Set is made from premium 18/10 stainless steel, ensuring robustness and durability. It's compatible with all heat sources, including induction. Scanpan, a cookware company established in 1956, focuses on traditional craftsmanship while embracing innovation. In addition to its elegant two-tone stainless steel appearance, the Impact egg poacher includes a cast stainless steel handle for heat resistance. For the egg muffin of your dreams, go for the Scanpan Impact Egg Poacher Set.

Customer review: "We have been very impressed with the quality of every part. It's a comfortable hold and weight. Materials used are definitely better quality, even the poaching cups are superior to the cheaper brands."

Pros

  • Premium quality
  • Stylish
  • Stay cool handles

Cons

  • Not many reviews
Dimensions:20cm diameter
Material:18/10 stainless steel
Weight:2.49kg
Non-stick:Yes
  • Dishwasher safe
  • 10 year warranty
  • Part of the Scanpan Impact range

Best mid-range egg poacher

Eggssentials Poached Egg Maker
Price: £37.97
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Imagine tucking into delicious ramen topped with a perfectly poached egg, garnished with spring onions and soy sauce. This Eggssentials Poached Egg Maker is a popular pick on Amazon, with 5,000 reviews, awarding it 4.7 out of 5. The 3-ply aluminium encapsulated bottom is compatible with an induction hob. This egg maker features extra large cups that keep poached eggs free of mess and knobs for easy handling. The individual insert cups are easy to remove and quick to clean. Additionally, there is a cool-touch knob on the lid, which comprises of extra thick tempered glass.

Customer review: "I absolutely love my egg poacher. It is by far the best one I have ever had. It is very easy to clean. Cups are non-stick. Cups deep enough to take extra large eggs. I purchased another to gift to a relative who was also very happy with product. I highly recommend."

Pros

  • Larger 75ml cups for XL eggs
  • Durable and sturdy stainless steel body
  • Riveted silicone handle

Cons

  • Needs a little bit of butter in the cup for best results
Dimensions:L21.6 x W21.6 x H6.4cm
Material:Stainless steel, aluminium
Weight:1.36kg
Non-stick:Yes
  • PFOA free

Best egg poacher pan for versatility

Enjoy Eggs Benedict a la ChefMate with this induction-compatible pan. This ChefMate Egg Poacher Pan is a poached egg boiler and non-stick frying pan in one. The non-stick coating makes this a versatile pan in which you can fry, by taking the poaching inserts out. A vented see-through glass lid lets you see when your eggs are cooked. The convenient egg poacher cups allow for the eggs to be easily transferred to your plate. This pan is suitable for all hobs and is dishwasher safe. Note, only use wood, nylon and silicone utensils and avoid metal abrasives.

Customer review: "I’ve always struggled to get my poached eggs right but with this pan you get perfect eggs every time. Half fill it and wait until it’s proper boiling and then pop the tray with egg cups in and lid back on. Wait six minutes and then remove, use a teaspoon to to help get the eggs out and you’ll have perfect poached eggs."

Pros

  • Frying pan and poacher in one
  • Easy to clean
  • Non-stick

Cons

  • Do not use metal utensils with this pan as it will scratch the non-stick coating
Dimensions:L38 x W20 x H10cm
Material:Stainless steel
Weight:970g
Non-stick:Yes
  • Soft Touch insulated lid handle
  • Easy Grip handle

Best budget egg poacher pan

Sapphire P063 20cm 4-Cup Egg Poacher
Price: £30.58

For avocado toast on sourdough, the essential piste de resistance is the poached egg seasoned with a little salt and pepper. This Sapphire P063 20cm 4-Cup Egg Poacher is an Amazon's Choice product with almost 4,000 reviews rating it 4.3 out of 5. It can be used as a small non-stick frying pan too. In addition, it's made of aluminium, which is an excellent heat conductor for rapid and even cooking.

Customer review: "For the price it’s very good indeed. Looks and feels cheap but I’m only poaching eggs so it’s adequate. Much easier than poaching a few eggs in boiling water and less wasted egg white. Very time consuming if you do them one by one so this is ideal."

Pros

  • Value for money
  • Popular
  • Frying pan too

Cons

  • A little flimsy compared to premium cookware
Dimensions:L36.8 x W20.2 x H11cm
Material:Aluminium, plastic
Weight:154g
Non-stick:Yes
  • Toughened glass lid
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Made in the UK

Best high-end poaching pan

Your spinach and mushroom Eggs Florentine deserve cookware whose name is superlative. This Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel Sauté / Poaching Pan is a versatile, premium piece of cookware with a lifetime guarantee. It features 3-ply technology for even heat distribution and a heat-resistant glass lid. In addition, the hollow, cast stainless steel handle with a V-shape fixing reduces heat travelling to the handle so it's safe and cool to touch. Whilst the pan itself is not non-stick, the inserts for poaching eggs are.

Customer review: "No everyone can poach an egg in the professional way. This pan with it's metal poaching insert will make perfect poach egg every time. It is easy to clean. The pan itself can be used for far more than poaching it retains heat and cooks well on low heat settings I would recommend this pan and this manufacturer good quality made to last and worth every penny."

Pros

  • Versatile
  • Durable
  • High quality

Cons

  • Not a non-stick pan
Dimensions:H12 x W22 x D41cm
Material:Stainless Steel
Weight:1.67kg
Non-stick:No
  • Dishwasher, grill and oven safe to 260°C
  • Suitable for all types of hob, including induction
  • Lifetime guarantee

Best egg poacher pan under £10

Poached egg and bacon in a bap is breakfast heaven, made even easier with this simple piece of cookware. The Dunelm Essentials Aluminium Egg Poacher is compatible with all stovetops except for induction. Poach up to four eggs simultaneously and clean with ease in the dishwasher. It has a transparent glass lid for convenient monitoring and is equipped with a comfortable Bakelite handle for a secure grip.

Customer review: "Really easy to use and no more 'watery' egg whites. Excellent poached eggs. One of my sons later told me that professional chefs never poach eggs directly in water."

Pros

  • Non-stick
  • Oven and dishwasher-safe
  • Value for money

Cons

  • Not induction compatible
Dimensions:L38 x W20.5 x H8.5cm
Material:Aluminium, Glass, Bakelite
Weight:Not specified
Non-stick:Yes
  • Non-stick
  • Ergonomic design

Best black egg poacher pan

What your sausage patty and cheese needs is a poached egg on top. Make frittatas, fried eggs and omelettes too with the Lakeland Induction-Safe 20cm Egg Poaching Frying Pan. It's stylish if you're into coordinating all your cookware and appliances in sleek and contemporary black. Perfectly poach four eggs in removable non-stick poaching cups with no fuss. Also, if you want to pop this pan in the oven it's heat resistant to 180°C.

Customer review: "I bought this for my new portable induction hob. I am delighted with it, I followed the instructions, filled base with leftover hot water from kettle, approx. 1/3, lightly oiled the egg cups using Finest Cold Pressed Rapeseed oil. Cracked eggs in and crossed fingers, I need not have worried, the steam rose quickly, the tops of the eggs coloured quickly and I knew they would not take long."

Pros

  • Induction compatible
  • Versatile
  • Non-stick

Cons

  • Product material and weight not specified
Dimensions:Diameter 20cm
Material:Not specified
Weight:Not specified
Non-stick:Yes
  • Lakeland 3 year guarantee included

Best premium egg poacher pan

ProCook Gourmet Non-Stick Egg Poacher
Price: £39 (RRP £62)

www.procook.co.uk

With the ProCook Gourmet Non-Stick Egg Poacher, simply bring a small amount of water to a boil in the pan's bottom, cover it with the lid and the eggs will gently cook in the four cups. Yes, on the surface it's a 20cm egg poacher and lid to cook up to 4 eggs. But wait – there's much more to this pan. Benefit from a 5-Star ProCook Ultra non-stick coating and silicone stay-cool handle that's riveted for added strength. The tight-fitting lid is heat resistant toughened glass, and the pan is induction compatible, oven safe to 260°C and dishwasher safe. The quality is clear in the design detail and materials used to make this premium ProCook pan.

Customer review: Rated 5/5 for quality and value for money.

Pros

  • High quality
  • Long guarantee
  • Premium

Cons

  • Not suitable for use on hot plate hobs
Dimensions:20cm; Lid H3.5cm
Material:3.5mm coated aluminium, toughened glass
Weight:1.3kg
Non-stick:Yes
  • 10 year guarantee

Best egg poacher pan for durability

The Prestige 9xTougher range is nine times tougher than titanium, including this poacher. Made from durable stainless steel and conductive aluminium this poacher comprises of a non-stick frying pan, egg cup holder, four egg cups and a glass lid. Unusually, the frying pan has a unique dimpled surface that allows for better airflow alongside innovative non-stick technology. In this instance, tough eggs is a good thing.

Customer review: "Works really well both for poaching and scrambling. Very pleased."

Pros

  • Dimpled non-stick surface
  • Durable
  • Suitable for all hob types

Cons

  • Some reviews comment that the non-stick is not up to scratch
Dimensions:Diameter 20cm
Material:Aluminium, stainless steel
Weight:Not specified
Non-stick:Yes
  • For all hob types, including induction
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Oven safe up to 180°C
  • 10 year guarantee

Best egg poacher insert

Stellar S886 Speciality 20cm Poacher
Price: £42 (was £58.30)

knees.co.uk

Healthy quinoa Buddha bowls with sautéed vegetables, a poached egg and a drizzle of olive oil are so simple to assemble. This Stellar S886 Speciality 20cm Poacher fits into a standard 20cm diameter pan and the easy-to-clean Teflon non-stick cups make serving perfectly poached eggs a doddle. This poacher is suitable for all hobs, including induction and it complements the rest of the Stellar range.

Pros

  • Mirror-polished premium quality stainless steel
  • Universal, fits a 20cm pan of your choice

Cons

  • No customer review
Dimensions:22 x 24.5 x 11.5cm
Material:18/10 Stainless steel
Weight:1.04kg
Non-stick:No
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Oven safe up to 240°C
  • Stellar lifetime guarantee

Our Verdict: Best Egg Poacher Pan

If it's good enough for Gordon Ramsey, then we're persuaded that Scanpan is a superb brand to choose if you're looking for quality cookware that's a joy to use. We recommend the Scanpan Impact Egg Poacher Set for its durability and elegant yet functional design. In particular, we love the shape and engineering of the stay-cool handle, plus the sheen of two-tone stainless steel. Rustle up poached eggs and asparagus spears like a pro... vinaigrette goals, however, are another story.

FAQs: Best Egg Poacher Pan

How do I poach an egg in a sauce pan?

To poach an egg, bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer. Add a splash of vinegar. Create a whirlpool by stirring the water and gently slide a cracked egg into the vortex. Cook for 3-4 minutes for a runny yolk, then remove with a slotted spoon.

Can I poach eggs in the microwave?

If you're on a budget, a microwave egg poacher is a cracking kitchen accessory. A microwave is a convenient and energy-efficient appliance to save money on bills. Microwave egg poachers offer delicious results and are easy to use, whether you're a beginner or a pro in the kitchen. They have a secure lid to prevent any spattering. Simply break the egg into the poacher, adjust the microwave timer, and presto! Enjoy perfectly cooked eggs with minimal clean-up.

Additionally, a microwave egg poacher is compact, so it won't occupy too much space on your countertop or in your cupboard. Look for poachers that are constructed from BPA-free, non-toxic plastic to ensure safe use in the microwave. Finally, avoid microwaving an egg in its shell, as it may burst... rumour has it that it works in an air fryer though....

Step-by-step: How to use a microwave egg poacher?

Fill each of the rounded cups that you intend to poach in just below halfway with water.

Put the lid on the egg poacher and heat it in the microwave on full power for 60 seconds. The water will start to boil.

Taking care, remove the egg poacher from the microwave. It’ll be very hot as the water will be boiling. Removing the lid, gently place your eggs into cups and pop the lid back on.

Depending on how you like your eggs, typically it’s recommended to poach in the microwave for 120 seconds, Pause to check how cooked your eggs are. It's around 80 seconds for a runny egg.

Whether you enjoy your eggs hard or soft, they're divine served with hot buttered toast.

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in kitchen appliances. When she's not testing coffee machines, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.

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