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The Spruce Eats / Sabrina Jiang
Many baking recipes call for egg yolks or egg whites instead of the whole egg. Sure, there are a few methods to separate the two by hand, but they can be tricky to master and messy at best. However, you can simplify the task with an egg yolk separator tool.
From metallic spoons to ceramic pots and even silicone suction tools, here are the best egg yolk separator tools.
Best Overall
Oxo Good Grips 3-in-1 Egg Separator
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Amazon
Clips to bowls
Raised sides prevents spills
Non-slip grip
Not as effective with smaller eggs
If you’re looking to simplify the task of separating yolks from whites, this tool makes it incredibly easy. It clips to the side of bowls, so you can add it right over whatever you’re mixing. The non-slip grip ensures you won’t drop anything while handling eggs. The tool even has raised edges, so nothing spills out over the top when you crack an egg open. It’s designed to keep things nice and clean while the whites slip through the slits and the yolk stays intact in the shallow bowl.
Price at time of publish: $8
Material: Plastic | Weight: 1.06 ounces | Dimensions: 3.88 x 2.9 x 1.75 inches
Best Budget
Mertek Wheat Stem Egg Filter
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Walmart
Made from wheat stems
Multiple colors available
Too short to fit over larger bowls
For a budget- and eco-friendly option, Meterk offers these egg filters made out of wheat stems. The spoons are sturdy, odorless, and feature multiple holes for egg whites to drain through. There is a ridge on the edge, so you can secure the spoon over measuring cups and small bowls. Choose between green, blue, or pink—whichever suits you best. The colors won’t fade, and the material is even oxidation-resistant.
Price at time of publish: $6
Material: Wheat stem | Weight: 0.35 ounce | Dimensions: 5.12 x 2.36 x 0.39 inches
Best Silicone
Tovolo Silicone Yolk Out Egg Separator
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Amazon
Small and easy to store
Suction reduces mess
Dishwasher safe
Rough handling can break yolk
Similar to the water bottle method of separating egg yolks, this nifty silicone tool from Tovolo takes the concept of using suction to lift the yolks right out of the whites. Just squeeze, place over the yolk, and release. The yellows will shoot up into the silicone tool, and all you have to do is gently squeeze to release them. The tool even looks a little like an egg yolk.
Price at time of publish: $14
Material: Silicone | Weight: 0.66 ounce | Dimensions: 2.5 x 3.5 x 2.5 inches
Best Large Capacity
Cuisinox Egg Separator with Receptacle
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Wayfair
Can hold 4 egg whites at a time
Dishwasher safe
Yolk separator isn’t detachable
If you plan on separating multiple eggs, then you may find a high-capacity separator tool handy. This tool has a deep receptacle that can hold up to four egg whites at a time. You’ll have to transfer the yolk after every crack, but it’s nice to hold multiple whites at once. Thanks to its stainless steel construction, this tool is both durable and dishwasher safe.
Price at time of publish: $20
Material: Stainless steel | Weight: 5 ounces | Dimensions: 3 x 6 x 3 inches
Best Ceramic
Artbyshirly Handmade Egg Separator
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Artbyshirly
Multiple colors available
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Handmade
Can chip or crack if dropped
Handmade items add a bit of flair to your bakeware. These ceramic egg separator pots were thrown on a pottery wheel and painted by hand. There are eight interior colors to choose from with these adorable speckled pots, and each features a smiley-shape slit to let the egg whites out. They are food safe, dishwasher safe, and microwave safe, making this a well-rounded tool.
Price at time of publish: $33
Material: Ceramic | Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.75 inches
Best Spoon
Soleader Egg Separator Tool
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Amazon
Long non-slip handle
Dishwasher safe
Drains quickly
May break yolks of stale eggs
This stainless steel spiral spoon fits over most mixing bowls thanks to its extra long handle. The coil drains quickly, too, so you can focus on the recipe instead of waiting around for the whites to filter. It’s also durable, dishwasher safe, and won’t rust. Another nice feature is the non-slip grip handle.
Price at time of publish: $8
Material: Stainless steel | Weight: 3.2 ounces | Dimensions: 10 x 3 x 1.5 inches
Best Novelty
BohemAnatolia Chicken Egg Separator
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BohemAnatolia
Cute chicken shape
Multiple colors available
Handmade
Long shipping time
Hand wash only
Tools can be both functional and fashionable. This adorable handmade ceramic chicken can separate yolks from whites in just a few steps. Crack an egg into the opening and tilt the beak towards a bowl—the yolk will stay inside while the white pours out. There are eight colors and color combinations to choose from, so you can get a chicken that fits your aesthetic.
Material: Ceramic | Dimensions: 1.96 x 3.14 x 1.57 inches
Oxo Good Grips 3-in-1 Egg Separator tops our list because it clips to the side of a bowl and separates whites with ease. Our budget pick goes to Meterk’s Wheat Stem Egg Filter.
What to Look for in an Egg Yolk Separator
Ease of Use
A tool is meant to make a task simpler, so you’ll want to find an egg yolk separator that makes the task easier than doing it by hand. There are many different styles available, so search for one that works best for you—whether that’s squeezing a suction tool or cracking an egg into a spoon and letting it drain.
Material
There are three main materials you’ll see when it comes to egg yolk separators: ceramic, stainless steel, and silicone. Stainless steel is hard and sturdy, and it will certainly hold up under many egg cracks—just be sure to clean stainless steel tools and dry them right away to avoid rust. Ceramic is a tried-and-true stoneware that is typically dishwasher safe, but if dropped, it can crack. Silicone is typically found in suction-style yolk separators; it may be a tiny bit flimsy, but these tend to be easy to clean and store. Some tools may also be made of food-grade plastic, which is an affordable and durable material, but be sure to check if it’s dishwasher safe or not.
Style
The most common styles of egg yolk separators include the following:
- Draining cup: Crack an egg in a cup, and the whites will drain through slits or holes on the bottom.
- Spoon: Spoon-shaped tools let the yolk sit in the shallow cup while the whites drain.
- Pots: These small bowls or jars have an opening on the side and drain the whites when tilted.
- Suction tools: Typically made of silicone, these tools suck up egg yolks out of the whites.
FAQs
Why would you need to separate egg yolks and whites?
Certain recipes may call for just the yolks or whites. Egg whites can be whipped up into a silky foam that’s great in frostings, batters, and cocktails for an airy and fluffy texture. Egg yolks, on the other hand, are used to enrich flavor or thicken sauces. Whichever you need for a specific recipe, you can use the leftovers in other desserts or meals.
How do I clean an egg yolk separator?
The best method of cleaning varies depending on the material used or the style of tool. Check to see if the manufacturer labeled it as dishwasher safe before popping it into a machine. Otherwise, warm water and soap will suffice most of the time. You’ll want to keep your egg yolk separators very clean to avoid bacteria or funky smells.
What can I do with the leftover yolks or whites?
There are many delicious recipes or desserts that call for one or the other. If you’ve got some extra whites on hand, try whipping up some French macarons, brown sugar meringue cookies, or a simple egg white omelet. Egg yolks can be cured in salt, used to make homemade hollandaise sauce, or even make chocolate ice cream.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Allison Wignall is a writer who focuses on food and travel. Through many years of practice (and many egg shells in the mixing bowl) she’s managed to master the one-handed egg crack technique. Though she can separate yolk and white by using the shell-to-shell method, she wishes she had a separator tool growing up to avoid all the messes and sticky hands.
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