Do I need to pierce the eggs before cooking, and how do I do it?

Yes, you should pierce the larger end of each egg before placing it in the egg cooker. Use the piercing tool located on the bottom of the Measuring Cup to do this, then place the egg in the Egg Tray with the pierced end facing upward. Use extreme caution when handling the Measuring Cup, as the sharp pin on the bottom may cause injury. (Pages 6, 6)