Today's post over there is a Valentines' Day Brunch and I had to poach some eggs for Eggs Benedict. I took this opportunity to try out some of those silicon poach pods and compare them to normal poaching.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LX7MWoobsurblRIE2Ikz_bBsjtabsn2N1TvIrFCPP4bxxFuuuRQai8ka1Rfi04hYAMFemI2-IVLDRwX_Q_YQZb3rjG5QxxI3A3ecN70FVixFVyFdyL8QNHPMK5j_bEln0-mtVmB1sjob/s400/DSC_0364+resized.jpg)
I poached two eggs the normal way - carefully sliding an egg into 200f water for about 8 minutes (for a firm yolk) and then fishing them out with a slotted spoon.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefdjpdH0PiXvpu8R8ign2k6oab4bkwLL2cnfvRzxxSP8nusEWaM8Qo7unjCO9HMfMl1wP7oKuRNdlnvnR7Abcy7EWMFy-6TBNVBwlrwOtlvoU92B0xeHs_dLiEbmVAXteuaV8WQU2zpRN/s400/DSC_0370+resized.jpg)
Then I poached two eggs using the poach pods - floating them in 200f water for 4-6 minutes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK5Z7TIuNxV73maS89iFC2BtUOIHSv1pK-B9p6slJX2XujilY1xcjGcsM6Vl-385HB2NMD2J4UWOw6lkGIgLFlTjAweJaX04IRuTQjPgmEzwysuQQyCTJC8UAeZehsdM9N0qoPpDzOV07/s400/DSC_0371+resized.jpg)
Then I had to throw that batch out because I didn't read the part that the pot is supposed to be COVERED so I had a partially poached pair of eggs.
I did another two eggs, covered this time and I cooked them for 8 minutes since they didn't look quite set at 6 minutes.
Side by side comparison:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dPiUwVYpKbe0yHC7MOHdAPPHb22-elZjs5BCVL5KpITa13Y-ztrnOAqC4FjZJi1orMXbNDPCfJ-6yrA2JdjMqf_ZBN1dtPPMe2U5KsCD8gVaGKPFz2OiKoYNwJ0T4i3BF5pvPJ5UzYKW/s400/DSC_0382+resized.jpg)
My overall impressions are:
- The poach pods are more efficient in that you retain 100% of the egg while in free hand poaching, you loose some of the whites.
- The poach pods were not any easier, in my opinion, than normal poaching. In fact it adds a few steps to the process (lubing the pods, having to work the cooked egg's edges off of the pod with a spoon, etc).
- I preferred the normal poached eggs over the poach pod eggs in appearance and texture. The poach pod eggs looked too much like a McDonald's egg mcmuffin processed egg and the edges were a bit rubbery (overcooked) yet the center still wasn't firm as I wanted.
Don't forget to see my guest post at Our Krazy Kitchen.
Standard review disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, I have no affiliation with and received no compensation from restaurants or product manufacturers reviewed and paid full retail price for the item reviewed.