The number of eggs being cooked does affect the length of time required to cook them when boiling. The more eggs you cook at once, the longer it will take for the water to return to a boil and for the eggs to cook through. This is due to a couple of reasons:
Water temperature drop: When you add eggs to the boiling water, they absorb heat from the water, causing the water temperature to drop. The more eggs you add, the greater the heat absorption, and it will take longer for the water to return to a full rolling boil.
Heat distribution: As the eggs are cooking in the water, the heat needs to penetrate through the eggshells to cook the egg whites and yolks. With more eggs in the pot, there is less space for the water to circulate around each egg, which can slow down the cooking process.
As a result, the cooking time for boiled eggs will increase when you cook more eggs simultaneously. However, the exact increase in cooking time can vary depending on factors such as the size of the pot, the number of eggs, and the initial water temperature.
Here's a general guideline for boiling eggs based on the number of eggs:
- For 1 to 2 eggs: Soft-boiled (4-5 minutes) or hard-boiled (9-12 minutes).
- For 3 to 4 eggs: Soft-boiled (5-6 minutes) or hard-boiled (11-13 minutes).
- For 5 to 6 eggs: Soft-boiled (6-7 minutes) or hard-boiled (13-15 minutes).
- For 7 to 12 eggs: Soft-boiled (7-8 minutes) or hard-boiled (15-17 minutes).
Keep in mind that the above times are approximate and may vary depending on your altitude, the size of the eggs, and how well-done you prefer your yolks. It's always a good idea to do a test run with a few eggs to find the perfect cooking time for your desired doneness. Also, using a timer and monitoring the eggs while they cook can help ensure they come out exactly as you like them.