The Elite Gourmet EGC855SS Easy Egg Cooker is a compact, one-button appliance built for people who make eggs often and want less stove watching. It boils up to seven eggs, adds dedicated trays for two poached eggs or one omelet, and uses measured water to control the steam cycle. Its strongest appeal is convenience: add the right amount of water, load the eggs, press the switch, and the cooker shuts off and plays a melody when the cycle is complete.
+Biggest Strength: Seven-egg capacity plus poaching and omelet trays in a very compact body.
−Biggest Weakness: Lightweight plastic accessories feel less substantial than premium cookers.
Quick Overview and Specs
| Feature | Elite Gourmet EGC855SS |
|---|---|
| Boiled-egg capacity | Up to 7 eggs |
| Other cooking | 2 poached eggs, 1 omelet, scrambled eggs, light steaming |
| Controls | One-button operation, automatic shut-off, completion melody |
| Included accessories | 7-egg rack, poaching tray, omelet tray, measuring cup with piercing pin |
| Dimensions | 6.97 x 6.38 x 5.28 inches |
| Weight | 1.59 lb |
| Materials | Plastic body/accessories with stainless-steel heating surface and finish elements |
| Cleaning | Removable parts are listed by Elite Gourmet as top-rack dishwasher-safe |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty for qualifying U.S. purchases |
First Impressions
The EGC855SS is smaller than many buyers expect, which is an advantage if counter space is tight. At roughly seven inches long and under 1.6 pounds, it is easy to move or store. The clear lid lets you see condensation and steam, while the stainless-steel styling makes this version look less toy-like than brightly colored budget models. The tradeoff is that the egg rack and specialty trays are still lightweight plastic rather than heavy metal.
The accessory set is unusually complete for this price class. You get the measuring cup with integrated piercing pin, a seven-egg rack, a two-egg poacher, and an omelet tray. That means the cooker is useful beyond hard-boiled eggs without requiring separate add-ons.
Performance & Feel
Operation is deliberately simple. The measuring cup is marked for the intended level of doneness; you pour that water onto the heating plate, load the eggs, cover, and press the power button. The cooker uses the water-and-steam cycle rather than a digital countdown, so accurate measuring matters more than watching a clock. If this is your first steam-style cooker, KitchAdvisor’s guide on how to use an egg cooker explains why water level, egg size, and starting temperature can change the result.
The key usability advantage over a saucepan is the automatic ending. Elite Gourmet specifies that this model shuts off and plays a melody when done. That is more convenient than cookers that only beep and keep heating, especially when you are making breakfast while doing something else.
Doneness Control & Easy Peeling
The EGC855SS is designed for soft-, medium-, and hard-cooked eggs, with the included cup setting the steam duration. Buyer feedback around this Elite Gourmet platform repeatedly praises repeatable boiled eggs and easy peeling once the water amount is dialed in. The piercing pin can also reduce cracking when used as directed. For soft or jammy yolks, remove the tray promptly and cool the eggs in cold water because residual heat continues cooking them after the cycle.
The poaching and omelet trays add useful variety, but they are small: two poached eggs or one individual omelet at a time. For ideas beyond shell eggs, see what you can cook in an egg cooker.
Durability
The heating base is the part that matters most long-term, while the removable pieces are simple molded components. The lightweight construction keeps the unit portable but does not feel as substantial as a Cuisinart-class cooker. Mineral scale on the heating plate is the more realistic maintenance issue; wiping the base after cooling and descaling as needed should help preserve heating performance. Elite Gourmet lists a one-year limited warranty for qualifying U.S. purchases, although the warranty excludes normal wear and certain non-electrical breakage.
Value for Money
At the budget end of the egg-cooker market, this model offers a lot: seven boiled eggs, automatic shut-off, a melody alert, poaching and omelet inserts, and dishwasher-safe removable parts. Current retail listings commonly place it around the same price band as basic Dash-style cookers, so the EGC855SS makes the most sense when you want versatility without moving into a larger premium appliance. Prices change frequently, so compare the live price before buying.
Comparison to Similar Competing Products
| Model | Boiled Eggs | Standout Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Gourmet EGC855SS | 7 | Auto shut-off, melody, 2-egg poacher, omelet tray |
| DASH Rapid Egg Cooker DEC005 | 6 | 360W compact design with a long retailer review history |
| Hamilton Beach 25500 | 7 | 3-egg poaching tray, but Hamilton Beach now lists the model as unavailable |
| Cuisinart CEC-10 Egg Central | 10 | Two-tier capacity, 4-egg poacher, 3-egg omelet tray, premium price |
The DASH is the closest budget rival, but it gives up one boiled-egg slot. Hamilton Beach’s 25500 adds a larger three-egg poaching tray, though the manufacturer now marks it unavailable. The Cuisinart CEC-10 is the better fit for high-volume batch cooking because it handles ten eggs and more poached eggs, but it costs materially more. KitchAdvisor’s best electric egg cooker guide is useful if capacity and feature differences matter more than price.
Pros & Cons
- Seven-egg capacity in a small footprint
- Automatic shut-off plus melody alert
- Poaching and omelet trays included
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe removable parts
- Large volume of positive buyer ratings across the Elite Gourmet listing family
- Plastic trays feel lightweight
- Only two poached eggs per batch
- Results depend on accurate water measurement
- No digital timer or adjustable electronic controls
Who Should Buy This?
Buy the EGC855SS if you regularly make one to seven eggs and value hands-off cooking more than advanced controls. It is particularly practical for meal preppers, small households, dorm rooms, offices, and RV kitchens. Skip it if you routinely cook for a crowd; a 10-egg model such as the Cuisinart will reduce batch work. If you are still deciding whether a dedicated appliance earns its space, KitchAdvisor’s egg cooker buying guide covers the tradeoffs.
Extended FAQ
How many eggs does the Elite Gourmet EGC855SS cook?
It cooks up to seven eggs in the shell, or up to two poached eggs using the included poaching tray.
Does it automatically shut off?
Yes. Elite Gourmet and the model manual state that the cooker automatically shuts off when the cycle is complete and plays a melody.
Can it make soft- and medium-boiled eggs?
Yes. The measuring cup provides water guidance for soft, medium, and hard results. Egg size, temperature, and altitude can still require small adjustments.
Are the removable parts dishwasher-safe?
Elite Gourmet’s current product page says the removable parts are top-rack dishwasher-safe and specifically notes that older manual wording saying “hand wash only” is incorrect.
Do I need to pierce the eggs first?
The included measuring cup has a piercing pin, and the instructions use it to help reduce shell cracking. Follow the manual and handle the pin carefully.
Is it better than the DASH Rapid Egg Cooker?
The Elite Gourmet offers seven boiled-egg positions versus six on the common DASH DEC005 specification and adds an explicit auto-shutoff claim. DASH remains a strong alternative if you prefer its design or find it cheaper.
Final Verdict
The Elite Gourmet EGC855SS is a strong choice for buyers who want a compact, inexpensive egg cooker that does more than boil. Its seven-egg capacity, actual auto shut-off, melody alert, poaching tray, omelet tray, and dishwasher-safe removable accessories make it unusually complete for the category. The plastic accessories and water-measurement learning curve keep it from feeling premium, but neither undermines its core value. For everyday breakfasts and weekly meal prep, it delivers the features that matter without unnecessary complexity.
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