“It’s so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.” This isn’t just a popular old saying!
Surprisingly, many people have tried to test this saying in real life by frying eggs on sidewalks, but did they succeed?
You’re about to find out!
We’ve written this post to answer the question, “Can you fry an egg on the sidewalk?”
The short answer is yes! However, it’s never an easy task. Although you can fry an egg on the sidewalk, it’s unlikely that you’ll end up with a fully cooked fried egg.
Let’s dive into more details!
At What Temperature Can You Fry an Egg on the Sidewalk?
For an egg to be fully cooked, it needs to reach at least a temperature of 158°F.
Unfortunately, the maximum temperature a sidewalk can reach during the hottest months is around 145°F. And this temperature is only possible in the southern states like Florida and Arizona.
Although 145°F is enough to cook an egg partially, it’s insufficient to yield a well-cooked egg. Still, using a few items like magnifying glasses and aluminum foil, you might be able to cook eggs on the sidewalk to a nearly perfect degree.
It’s important to note that the air temperature significantly differs from the sidewalk’s. That’s because as sidewalks and other objects absorb the sun’s heat, their temperature considerably rises compared to the surrounding air temperature.
That way, sidewalks can reach a temperature of 145°F, while the air temperature at the same location and time can be 15°F lower.
How to Fry an Egg on the Sidewalk: 5 Simple Steps
By now, you know that to fry an egg, you need a temperature of at least 158°F. However, it’s impossible for a sidewalk to reach this temperature.
Still, you can apply a few tricks to successfully fry an egg on a sidewalk. For this task, you’ll need the following:
- Two raw eggs
- A frying pan or aluminum foil
Once you have these items, follow these steps:
1 – Choose a Scorching Day
To maximize the chances of successfully frying the egg, choose a day when the temperature is at least 100°F.
You also need to pick a calm day with minimal air velocity, as wind significantly reduces the sidewalk temperature.
Additionally, pick a time when the sun is out. That’s why it’s recommended to fry the egg in the afternoon.
2 – Heat Up the Cooking Surface
Place the aluminum foil or the frying pan on the sidewalk in direct sunlight for at least 20 minutes. This is to allow it to heat up.
Once the aluminum foil or frying pan becomes hot, be careful not to touch it with your hands.
3 – Crack the Egg onto the Preheated Surface
Crack and add the egg onto the preheated surface. Once the raw egg touches the hot surface, it’ll begin to cook slowly.
Try using an egg at room temperature instead of a refrigerated one.
That’s because a refrigerated egg will cool down the hot surface. As a result, it’ll take much longer to cook than an egg at room temperature.
4 – Allow the Egg a Few Minutes to Cook
The egg will take up to 15 minutes to become well-cooked. Be patient and give it the necessary time.
5 – Clean Up the Mess
Such an experiment will leave a mess on the sidewalk. So, make sure to clean up the area after finishing.
In addition, avoid eating the fried egg, as it’s highly probable that it won’t be thoroughly cooked.
How Long Does It Take to Fry an Egg on the Sidewalk?
The time it takes to fry an egg on the sidewalk can differ depending on the tools you use and the temperature.
Still, using a pan or aluminum foil on a day with a temperature over 100°F, the process can take 20–30 minutes.
Nonetheless, it might take only 10 minutes if you use a magnifying glass or mirrors in addition to the pan or foil.
Conversely, the process can take hours if you pick a day with a temperature below 100°F. The same applies if you use tools with low heat conductivity.
Sidewalk Egg Frying Day: The 4th of July!
On the 4th of July every year in Oatman, Arizona, people celebrate an event in addition to the US Independence Day.
The residents of this town hold an annual contest for frying eggs on the sidewalk on that day. That’s why they call the day “Sidewalk Egg Frying Day.”
On that day, many participants attempt to fry eggs on the sidewalk using different methods. The contestant who achieves the fastest and most thorough cooking of the egg wins the contest.
Final Thoughts
Can you fry an egg on the sidewalk? Yes, you can. However, you may need tools like frying pans, aluminum foil, and magnifying glasses to achieve this. More importantly, you’ll need to choose a day with a temperature of at least 100°F.
When you’re ready to try it, refer to the steps above to do it correctly.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.