Egg washing?

[Pardee_Boy]

Whats the rule of thumb when it comes to cleaning your eggs? I just got egg number one and number two today.

 

[amaranth320]

I thought you weren't supposed to wash them until you were ready to use them? Something about a protective coating on the shell... That's what I've been doing, at least!

 

[midget_farms]

A fresh egg has a 'cuticle'. A membrane on the outside of the shell that keeps moisture in. If you don't wash the eggs until you use them they will keep in the fridge for up to 6 months! If you wash them they will start to evaporate & not last as long.

Washing is a personal choice though - some eggs get pretty dirty. & I'd never have one last 6 months anyway.

If you sell eggs - you should wash them before you sell them.

 

[pgpoultry]

I don't wash them unless they are absolutely gross, and never wash eggs being used for incubation (but not a good idea to use dirty eggs for incubation). I don't sell mine and folk to whom I give them don't seem to mind a bit of dirt,
Sandie

 

[JMPE]

In order to keep the bloom, I never wash my eggs. If I get a dirty one, I might gently wipe it. I don't sell eggs (not enough from my little flock), but when I give them away, I let my friends and family know that they have not been washed and why.

 

[ZaneyMama]

I have never washed my eggs. They have never been dirty, and I am always cooking them, not eating them raw.

 

[justbugged]

I will wash the really gross ones, but if you get them everyday it's unlikely that they will get gross. If I have questions about how clean an egg is when I go to use it I can wash it then.

 

[Pardee_Boy]

thanks everyone. I didn't wash number two today straight to the frying pan for a fantastic little breakfast.

 

[agarita]

speaking of fantastic a breakfast - yesterday I watched an old episode on PBS of Julia Child making omelettes... not Martha with a flock of Easter Egg Chickens, but Julia knew how to make an omelette!

 

[lamelde]

So... How do you wash an egg when you need to?