Egg Question

[Lady J]

If an egg floats, does that mean it's bad and should be discarded or that it's still good, it's just an older egg?

 

[Ridgerunner]

That it is an older egg. It does not mean that there is anything wrong with it.

The more the egg ages the more moisture it loses. At some point the air cell gets so big that the egg will stand on end under water. If it loses more moisture it will float, so it is a way to tell that it is older.

What causes an egg to go bad is bacteria gets on the inside and multiplies. An egg with much bacteria in it will probably float, gas is given off as a byproduct as the bacteria reproduces. But an egg that has just lost enough moisture to float is not necessarily a bad egg. A bad egg should stink if you sniff it.

 

[Nor-Cal Chickens]

That it is an older egg. It does not mean that there is anything wrong with it.

The more the egg ages the more moisture it loses. At some point the air cell gets so big that the egg will stand on end under water. If it loses more moisture it will float, so it is a way to tell that it is older.

What causes an egg to go bad is bacteria gets on the inside and multiplies. An egg with much bacteria in it will probably float, gas is given off as a byproduct as the bacteria reproduces. But an egg that has just lost enough moisture to float is not necessarily a bad egg. A bad egg should stink if you sniff it.

Great info to know!

 

[gtaus]

Here's a good short YouTube video on the subject.

 

[aart]

Yes, floating an egg will only tell you how old it might be.
They float due to evaporation when older.
It will not tell you if an egg is 'good' or 'bad'.
Plus then you've wetted the egg so it should be thoroughly washed and refrigerated,
so not a good thing to do, IMO.

When in doubt....
Open eggs one at a time in a separate dish before adding to pan or recipe,
use your eyes, nose, and common sense to decide if egg is OK to eat.

 

[gtaus]

When in doubt....
Open eggs one at a time in a separate dish before adding to pan or recipe,
use your eyes, nose, and common sense to decide if egg is OK to eat.

When I was much younger, I worked in food service. Everyone was taught to always open an egg in a separate dish. Always. I still do, even at home.

 

[aart]

When I was much younger, I worked in food service. Everyone was taught to always open an egg in a separate dish. Always. I still do, even at home.

Betcha never floated them in a glass of water tho, right?

 

[gtaus]

Betcha never floated them in a glass of water tho, right?

Right. Never knew about the float test until recently when I got laying hens.