Separating eggs can be a messy job, unless you have the right kind of kitchen utensil. Fortunately, the egg separator is a simple kitchen tool that easily divides the yolk from the white in seconds. Here is some basic information about the separator and how it is used around the kitchen.
There are actually two types of egg separators. One type is a simple instrument with an rounded cup or bowl at the ends of a short handle. Two slits in the sides of the cup allow the white of the egg to run out of the bottom during the separation process.
A variation on this design is to have a mesh in the bottom of the egg separator, allowing the white to run through the bottom and into another receptacle. Both of these types of separators are usually equipped with handles that allow the utensil to rest on the lip of a bowl, so it is not necessary to hold the separator while the egg is being divided.
Construction materials for the egg separator usually include either plastic or metal. The metal egg separator is often made of either aluminum or stainless steel. The design of metal separators is such that it takes very little effort to clean them. In fact, they can simply be placed in the silverware tray in the dishwasher. Sink rinsing also works well with this type of separator.
Along with the metal models, there is also the plastic separator. These types range from the very simple and flimsy types that are often given away as free gifts at store openings and similar event. However, not all plastic egg separators are cheap models that will wear out in no time. The hard and durable plastics of today are often used to create various brands in plastic that are dishwasher safe and will stand up to a lot of use.
Separators of all types provide a quick and easy way to separate the two components of the egg, ensuring that no yolk is broken into the white and creating a mess that has to be thrown away. An egg separator is a must for anyone who likes to make fresh meringues for pies or simple meringue cookies. The ability to separate the egg yolks from the white also make the process of baking an angel food cake much easier, since little or no time is needed to retrieve the pure egg white for the recipe.
