Everyone has a method of hard boiling eggs and swear theirs is the best. We have tried out all kinds of methods and many do work pretty well. The method we are going to describe below is one of the most convenient and has yielded the most consistent results time and time again. So you end up with an egg that is nice and solid and yolks that are a pretty yellow color with no gray around it. We have also found that eggs that have been in the refrigerator for five days or longer are easier to peel.
 

Use the size of sauce pan (pot) that can easily fit the number of eggs that you are planning on hard boiling in a single layer (not on top of each other). For example, our 4 quart sauce pan (pot) will hold a dozen large eggs in a single layer. 

Place the eggs in the bottom of the sauce pan, and cover them with tap water (cool to cold - not hot). You should have at least a half inch of water above the height of the egg.  Place the pot on a burner and set the heat to medium high heat.  It is good to keep an eye on the eggs since if the burner on too high as they eggs bounce and crack. Bring the eggs to a full boil and then immediately remove from the heat and cover and set a timer for 13 minutes.

 Drain the hot water and rinse the eggs with cold tap water several times. When the eggs seem cool enough to handle fill the pan with cold water again and place a couple of cups of ice on top forming a type of ice bath to further cool down the eggs.  Once they are cool they are ready to server or use for your favorite recipe. 

Once your eggs are cooled you can now shell your eggs. Gently tap the rounded end of the egg on a hard surface like a cutting board and then slowly peel the egg shell from the egg. Try and get the membrane to come free from the egg as that will simplify the process.  Continue to remove the shell and membrane until all of the shell is removed.  If you hare having trouble, you can shell the egg it while running cool water over the egg and it will help. 

Of course if you are making  Colored or Decorated Easter Eggs this step is not necessary!