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Why do eggs in the shell sometimes explode when cooked?

 
master gardener
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I pressure-steamed a dozen eggs this morning. When I was running the ice-bath, I found this one. Anyone know why this happens?

I guess there must have been air inside the shell that expanded when heated, but why?
IMG_6726.jpeg
How I found it
How I found it
IMG_6727.jpeg
Out of the shell
Out of the shell
IMG_6728.jpeg
The less(?) weird side
The less(?) weird side
 
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I have never pressure steamed eggs before. I have only boiled them.

I have had this happen in the past. I also wondered why. It sounded like it is was usually due to too fast of a temperature change, too hot or fast or too long of a boil. Or possibly one of the eggs already had a small crack that was not noticed.

I don't believe I've had it happen since I've adopted the boil for a minute, cover, turn off and wait 12 minutes method.
 
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I have only boiled them as well, but I suspect a weak point or micro crack of some kind in the shell probably allowed that to happen.

Temp shifts in either direction too quickly can cause cracks. Bumping into each other while boiling can cause cracks... but in all of those cases I suspect that the shell was weaker than "normal" which is why you see that happen.
 
Rusticator
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A way to figure it out may be a fun experiment. Candle the eggs, before starting them, and mark or somehow isolate any with visible lines or pin-dots. Then, see if they explode. It might be helpful, too, too see at what point in the cooking process the rupture happens, though that would be difficult, with an enclosed system, like a pressure cooker.
 
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I would also guess a weak spot in the shell. I've had eggs laid that had excess shell in a few spots, and wouldn't be surprised if the opposite happens sometimes. I really like 'boiling' eggs in the electric pressure cooker - even fresh from the hen house, they peel superbly once they've cooled down.
 
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A gadget came with my egg steamer to prick a hole in the egg to let the air out.
 
I agree. Here's the link: https://woodheat.net
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