Perfect Hard Cooked Eggs, Every Time Place eggs in pan large enough to cover with cold water (about 1 inch above top of eggs). Bring to boil over high heat. Immediately turn off heat but keep pan on burner (unless on a radiant heat stove or similar, in which case you should remove from burner for 1 minute and then return). Keep covered and let set for 16 minutes. Remove from stove, rinse in cold water to cool slightly. Remove from pan and cool thoroughly before peeling or placing in refrigerator. (If decorating at Easter time, follow directions on food dye or decorating kits after cooking.)