Sidewalk Egg Frying Day

The strange and fascinating Sidewalk Egg Frying Day is celebrated on July 4th, giving people the opportunity to experiment with using natural solar energy in everyday life. While frying eggs directly on the sidewalk might not be effective or hygienic, this day inspires creative competitions using hot surfaces such as car hoods, foil, mirrors, and magnifying glasses.

History

The popular saying “it’s so hot outside you can fry eggs on the sidewalk” first appeared in an 1899 issue of The Atlanta Constitution, where Francis Wade described the heat making sidewalk bricks seemingly hot enough to cook eggs. The concept gained renewed attention in 1933 through an article in the Los Angeles Times, capturing the public’s imagination. In 1983, Fred Eck from Oatman, Arizona, turned this whimsical idea into an annual competition to fry eggs using solar energy.

Frying eggs directly on the sidewalk is neither practical nor hygienic, as the temperature rarely gets high enough to cook an egg thoroughly. However, this challenge has motivated people to find more efficient ways to harness solar energy, even if only for frying eggs. In Oatman, Arizona, contestants creatively use smooth surfaces and magnifying glasses to fry eggs within 15 minutes during the annual competition.

Interesting Facts

• A temperature of 150 to 160°F is required to fry an egg completely.
• Frying an egg directly on the sidewalk can take at least 20 minutes, even under extreme heat.
• Parabolic solar cookers, which use curved reflectors to focus sunlight, can heat pots or pans to 400°F, making them the most efficient method for frying eggs without electricity.

How to Take Part

Celebrate Sidewalk Egg Frying Day by attempting to fry eggs under the sun using creative methods. The hood of a disinfected car can be a great option. This hands-on experiment is especially fun for children, but make sure everyone uses sunscreen and wears hats for protection. Use this day to learn more about solar energy and explore its practical applications.

When is Sidewalk Egg Frying Day in 2025?

Sidewalk Egg Frying Day is observed on July 4th each year.

Observations