XtoysWillie Egg Fryer Review: A Cheeky Breakfast Novelty
Editor's opinion
The Willie Egg Fryer is an inexpensive metal mould that shapes a fried egg into a cheeky design. It is a solid gag gift for hen parties and birthdays, though handwashing and the usual novelty-mould fiddliness are worth knowing before you buy.
Some gifts exist to raise a laugh over a shared breakfast, and this is squarely one of them. The Willie Egg Fryer is a metal mould you sit in your pan so a cracked egg sets into a cheeky shape. There is nothing clever going on under the bonnet, and that is rather the point.
What a buyer really wants to know is whether it works cleanly enough to be worth the fuss, how much upkeep it needs, and who it will actually delight. It is a novelty, so judge it as one: the joke has to land, and the object has to survive a few uses in a hot pan.
The good and the bad
What works
- Metal build should stand up to pan heat better than flimsier novelty moulds
- No batteries or setup, so it works the moment it lands in the kitchen
- Genuinely low-cost, low-commitment gift for a hen party or birthday
- Compact and light at 79g, easy to wrap and post
What to be aware of
- Handwash only, and cleaning cooked egg out of a shaped metal mould is fiddlier than washing a plain pan
- A one-joke novelty, so the appeal fades once the laugh has been had
- Egg can seep under or around an unoiled mould, so results may look messier than the packaging suggests
- Bare metal needs oiling and drying to avoid sticking and, potentially, rust
Buy it if
Anyone buying a lighthearted gag gift for a hen do, a milestone birthday or a playful morning in with a partner who enjoys silly humour.
Skip it if
Anyone after a genuinely useful kitchen tool, or a gift for someone who prizes a tidy, no-effort breakfast. If you want lasting use, a set of plain silicone egg rings will serve you far better day to day.
Design and materials
This is a straightforward metal mould shaped so a cracked egg sets into a willy outline. Metal is the sensible choice here, as it tolerates direct pan heat where silicone or plastic novelties can warp or scorch, and it should feel reassuringly solid rather than tinny in the hand.
The trade-off with bare metal is care. It benefits from a light oiling before cooking to stop the egg gripping, and it needs drying properly afterwards, since neglected metal can discolour or rust. None of this is difficult, but it is more attention than a gadget-free fry-up demands.
How it is meant to be used
The method is as simple as it looks: sit the mould flat in a heated pan, crack an egg into the centre and cook as normal. The shape forms as the white sets around the edges of the mould.
In practice, the honest caveat with any shaped egg mould is that a runny white will find any gap between the metal and the pan, so a well-oiled mould pressed flat gives the cleanest result. Expect to serve up something recognisably cheeky rather than a razor-sharp outline, which is entirely in keeping with the spirit of the thing.
Cleaning and care
The maker specifies handwash only and no dishwasher, which is typical for a shaped metal item. Wait for it to cool fully, then wash it by hand and dry it thoroughly.
Be realistic about the effort: cooked egg clings to contoured surfaces, so a shaped mould takes a little more scrubbing than a flat pan. Oiling before use helps here too, both for release and for easier cleanup afterwards.
How it compares
Against plain silicone egg rings, this loses on everyday practicality and dishwasher convenience, but it wins on the only thing it is trying to do, which is deliver a joke at the table. It is not competing with your regular breakfast kit.
Among novelty gifts, its appeal is that it is cheap, self-explanatory and genuinely reusable if someone takes to it. The risk with any single-joke item is that it ends up in a drawer after one use, so it suits a recipient who will actually enjoy trotting it out again.
The bottom line
As a gag gift the Willie Egg Fryer does exactly what it promises: a metal mould, no batteries, and a cheeky fried egg to raise a smile. Buy it for the laugh and the low outlay, go in expecting a little oiling, a bit of handwashing and a joke that shines brightest the first time, and it is easy to recommend for the right occasion.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Willie Egg Fryer safe to use in a hot pan?
It is made of metal, which is designed to sit directly in a heated frying pan while the egg cooks. As with any metal cookware, take care handling it once hot and let it cool fully before washing.
Do I need oil to stop the egg sticking?
The maker does not specify, but as bare metal it is sensible to lightly oil the mould before cracking in your egg. This helps with release, gives a cleaner shape and makes the mould much easier to wash afterwards.
Can it go in the dishwasher?
No. It is handwash only. Let it cool completely, then wash by hand and dry it thoroughly to keep the metal in good condition for next time.
Is this a genuinely useful kitchen tool or just a joke gift?
It is a novelty first and foremost, aimed at hen parties, birthdays and a playful breakfast. It works, but if you want a practical everyday egg ring, plain silicone or stainless rings are the better buy.
Will one mould do more than one egg at a time?
It is a single mould for one egg at a time. If you are catering for a group, you would cook eggs in turn or use more than one mould in a larger pan.