The Egg Float Test

Just because an egg floats does not mean it is bad. This person must waste a lot of perfectly good eggs.

This is a common misconception, and I’m disappointed in BYC for perpetuating it. Yes, the float test can tell how much air is inside an egg, but this does not tell whether an egg is good or bad to eat.

A very simple and completely reliable way to tell if an egg is good or bad is to crack it open. If it smells bad, it’s bad. If it doesn’t smell bad, it’s still perfectly good to eat.

I date my cartons as I fill them with eggs, so when I’m using an older carton, I’ll crack each egg individually into a small bowl before using them in my recipe. That way if one of them is bad, it doesn’t ruin the whole recipe.

Simple. Easy. Accurate. And doesn’t waste any eggs that are perfectly good to eat but have just stayed a little longer on the counter or fridge.

This is very good information although I believe eggs last longer on refrigeration. Remember, and hen will lay eggs until she has enough to hatch. That may be 2 to 3 weeks for her to feel she has enough. They still hatch out.

A note on the colors that can be in eggs, I typically give my chickens scraps. Once I fed them left over pancakes, a lot of them. They happened to be colored for Easter. We got green eggs for several days!!!

Thanks for the info...

Good information, helpful and well written, thank you. I date my eggs on the large end so I always know exactly how old they are; I like to use two-week old eggs for hard-cooked eggs as they peel easier. But a friend gives me undated eggs and I will now be using the float test in the future on her eggs to test for freshness after reading this article, thank you so much!

Excellent information and very detailed. I hope everyone learns how to properly store and clean eggs.

I've used this for years. This is a great description. =)

You can actually use a similar method to determine how long until an egg hatches (and also its viability). I've done it with endangered shorebird eggs! (You need to be permitted to that though, unlike with chicken eggs. )

Nice description of the float test and how to perform it. Good info.

Excellent info for those of us who find a nice stash of eggs in an unlikely spot.

can overripe eggs go in compost or is the smell just awful? (I do bokashi composting which allows proteins and bones).

Great info thank-you. I also wonder about the best way to raise chicks from an egg if the hens don't want to watch them and they don't hatch but some form a little but not full maturity. I have a rooster that does his job lol maybe I just get an egg warmer but what one is best? Next article maybe

Good overview of egg handling and storage info. Thank you!

This will come in so handy - thank you so much! Plus I never knew eggs should be packaged pointy side down in the carton - good to know. Do you know the reason? Just curious!

hi!
wonderful article!

I really like how you said the basics first, and then went into more detail and also did a question section. Great job, and have a nice day.

Great article! I like the detail.

Great article, do you have any photos of a bad egg yolk or white compared to a good egg. I personally just eat them, but my wife is all about floating them and looking and smelling.

Good Article, simple, pretty to the point and useful.

Great article!! I loved reading about it!

Very interesting article! I especially liked the section on how the egg float test works. It was easy to picture and will help me remember the test better.

Informative. Realistic pictures would support the article, particularly to differentiate between blood spots and bacteria.
This article would serve as a wonderful segue to a detailed series for readers who crave more than basic knowledge of egg shelf life.