how long do I boil eggs for?

I am making hard boiled eggs for a salad and I can never remember how long to boil the eggs for...anyone of you Martha Stewart wannabees want to help me out?

Christine,

fill the pot with enough water to just cover the eggs, throw in some salt, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, let simmer for 15 to 20 min.

My aunt says to boil the perfect egg you do this:

1. Boil water (very bubbly)

2. Put your egg(s) in the boiling water and keep them there for 3 minutes.

3. Turn off the burner and keep covered for 15 minutes.

This makes it so the shell comes off really easy and the yolk is perfectly cooked...good luck!

oh I let it boil first, then put them in, oops.

First off, place the eggs in the water and then place it on the stove. Don't put the eggs in while it's boiling, they'll break. I boil mine for 13 min and then put them in an ice bath asap.

wow isn't that weird how everyone does it differently.

Some of the time diff is because of the types of stoves. I know that I have adjusted the time when cooking of a gas stove vs an electric stove.

The ice bath stop the cooking and makes it easier to remove the shell.

I got my technique from the Joy of Cooking book

isn't there something about waiting until they sink or float? i've never made hard boiled eggs (GASP!)

Don't know about the sink/float...but I know a quick way to tell that they close to done. Take the egg from the water and spin it on the counter. If it spins fast like a top its likely done. A raw egg spins slow and off kilter. Seriously...try it...it's so strange!

I just do the plain ole boil them for 13 minutes and then go straight to removing the shell while I run it under cold water so I don't burn myself.