The egg float test method has been used for quite a while as a quick and easy way to determine whether eggs are safe for consumption and for freshness.
The purpose of this article is to explain how to perform the egg float test, if it's accurate, and more.
For this test, you will require a dish big enough to hold an egg and water that can cover it. It is also necessary to check your egg to see if it has cracks before you begin the egg float test. Eggs with cracked shells should be discarded before testing.
For our purposes, however, we only require a basic understanding. Are the eggs salvageable or should they be thrown away? The egg float test provides a simple but accurate way to check for freshness.
Please note that the egg float test should NOT be used to determine whether an egg is good or if the chick is alive during incubation - so it is not recommended for that purpose.
Eggshells are porous, which means that the older the egg gets, the more air it will allow to enter the air cell. As time goes on, the solid matter inside the egg shrinks, allowing more room for air and leading to moisture loss. It is likely that an egg that is very old will not have much content since the shell will be full of air.
When the eggshell is filled with enough air, the egg will have enough buoyancy to float. Because old eggs contain a lot of air, they will float in water.
Infection with Salmonella, a form of food poisoning, is the primary risk of eating bad or rotten eggs. Salmonella grows both in the yolk and white of eggs as well as on their shells.
Salmonella infections can cause the following symptoms:
For store-bought eggs, take note that the pack date is the day of the year they were packaged and the expiration date indicates when the eggs are considered as not being fresh. So carefully inspect your carton of eggs before purchasing.
The more an egg ages, the more air seeps into it through the pores in the eggshell, especially if it has been washed as this process removes the bloom on the surface of the shell.
Along with the egg float test you can also conduct a sniff test - if it smells bad, it probably is.
So, have fun with your eggs and experiment with ways to keep them fresh! Share your experiences with the egg float test in the comments below if you have tried it before.
Further Reading:
The purpose of this article is to explain how to perform the egg float test, if it's accurate, and more.
How to Perform the Egg Float Test
Eggs can be checked for freshness by performing the egg float test. This process takes about 10 minutes per carton.For this test, you will require a dish big enough to hold an egg and water that can cover it. It is also necessary to check your egg to see if it has cracks before you begin the egg float test. Eggs with cracked shells should be discarded before testing.
- Start by filling your dish with cold water (approximately 2 inches up).
- Then gently place an egg in the water, ensuring you do not drop it in.
- An egg that remains at the bottom of the dish and lies on its side is very fresh.
- The egg is still fresh if one end of it is slightly raised, but still touches the bottom of the dish.
- If the egg is standing upright but still underwater, then it is a little older but still fresh enough to eat.
- If you see the egg floating to the top, it has probably gotten very old and is probably rotten. Discard it.
Is The Egg Float Test Reliable?
Yes, to put it simply. It is surprisingly accurate and does work. The folk who do this test frequently can estimate how old an egg is with a remarkable degree of accuracy.For our purposes, however, we only require a basic understanding. Are the eggs salvageable or should they be thrown away? The egg float test provides a simple but accurate way to check for freshness.
Please note that the egg float test should NOT be used to determine whether an egg is good or if the chick is alive during incubation - so it is not recommended for that purpose.
How Does The Egg Float Test Work
Despite the fact that the test seems like magic, it is simply a function of physics. In a very fresh egg, the majority of the space is taken up by solid matter (yolk and albumin). Fresh eggs have only a small amount of air at this time. Due to the egg's weight, it will remain submerged when placed in water.Eggshells are porous, which means that the older the egg gets, the more air it will allow to enter the air cell. As time goes on, the solid matter inside the egg shrinks, allowing more room for air and leading to moisture loss. It is likely that an egg that is very old will not have much content since the shell will be full of air.
When the eggshell is filled with enough air, the egg will have enough buoyancy to float. Because old eggs contain a lot of air, they will float in water.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bad Eggs
What is the shelf life of eggs?
Eggs usually last 3-5 weeks if you keep them in the fridge. Keep in mind that the longer you keep them, the less pleasant the taste will be and the poorer the quality will be.Can I eat my smelly egg?
The egg should not be eaten if it smells foul or has a bad odor.Is it unsafe for me to eat eggs that float?
If an egg floats, it is likely to be old and in poor condition. Eggs that give off a foul smell or odor when cracked are rotten and should be thrown away.How do you recognize a bad egg?
There may be blood spots (small brown spots) on the egg upon cracking. These are fine to eat. However, you should throw out any eggs that have black, green, or pink spots on their yolks or egg white as this discoloration may signal the presence of bacteria. A super fresh egg should have a bright yellow or orange yolk.Infection with Salmonella, a form of food poisoning, is the primary risk of eating bad or rotten eggs. Salmonella grows both in the yolk and white of eggs as well as on their shells.
Salmonella infections can cause the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Cramping in the abdomen
- Fever
- Vomiting
Best practices for storing backyard chicken eggs
- If the eggs are not soiled, do not wash them until you use them.
- You don't need to refrigerate fresh eggs for several weeks.
- You should always keep washed eggs in the fridge.
- You can store eggs both washed and unwashed in the refrigerator to preserve their quality. However, unwashed eggs will last longer.
- Keep cold eggs in the fridge once they have been refrigerated.
- Keeping track of your eggs is important. Place room temperature eggs into the fridge once a week and use old eggs first.
- The pointy end should face down when storing your eggs in your egg carton.
- You can hard boil or steam older eggs because they're easier to peel.
Summary
A simple test to determine freshness is the egg float test. What makes the egg float test accurate is the physics behind the humble egg.For store-bought eggs, take note that the pack date is the day of the year they were packaged and the expiration date indicates when the eggs are considered as not being fresh. So carefully inspect your carton of eggs before purchasing.
The more an egg ages, the more air seeps into it through the pores in the eggshell, especially if it has been washed as this process removes the bloom on the surface of the shell.
Along with the egg float test you can also conduct a sniff test - if it smells bad, it probably is.
So, have fun with your eggs and experiment with ways to keep them fresh! Share your experiences with the egg float test in the comments below if you have tried it before.
Further Reading:
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