Eggs...to wash or not to wash?

[path.otto]

I don't wash my eggs, but I will give them a light "sanding" with a scrubber before I refrigerate if they look a little dirty. Then I rinse under warm water before using. If they look extremely dirty I will rinse under warm water and use them immediately or the next morning for breakfast depending on when they are layed.

@CityslickerHomestead Gah, your avatar cracks me up, too. I don't know what it is about chickens (chicks) starring directly at the camera, but it always makes me laugh!

 

[Rammy]

I keep the really dirty eggs and just wash them before I use them. I put the eggs I collect in the fridge anyway whether or not I washed them beforehand. I only wash them if Im giving them to someone or selling them so they arent dirty.

 

[BReeder!]

So I’ve heard people say wash and refrigerate and I’ve heard people say do not wash and leave on counter. I’m getting 9 eggs per day right now. I’ve given a couple doZen away. But what’s the best way to store them safely? I know washing them removes the bloom, but if they’re refrigerated are they still safe to eat sunny side up (the CDC says no runny eggs if washed because of salmonella transfer.)

I don't wash unless they are really nasty. Most of our eggs can have some bedding or feathers in them. We just dust it off. Some times I need to use a paper towel to get something off. If I do apply water, I use warm water, dry the egg immediately and ensure it gets eaten soon.
We refrigerate or eggs. That's because we get more eggs than we can eat so we may have 3 or 4 weeks worth of eggs in the fridge. They hold up fine for us this way.

 

[wyoDreamer]

If the egg is clean, I don't wash and I leave on the counter. When I have over a dozen sitting on the counter, DH takes them to work and gives them to friends. If they are dirty, they get washed in very warm, soapy water, dried and placed in the fridge. Fridge eggs are for over easy eggs, the yolk seems to stand up better in the cold eggs. Counter eggs are used by me for scrambled - I think they make a fluffier scrambled egg than the refrigerated ones.
I can't say which way keeps them "fresher", the ones on the counter are usually a little older than the fridge ones because the fridge ones are used up faster. But the eggs get used up so fast at our place that they are seldom get to 3 weeks old.

 

[1dzn4brkfst]

If European countries have come to the conclusion that unwashed and stored at room temperature is best but in America it has been determined that washed and refrigerated is best, I am left with the persuasion that it really doesn't matter. I respect the work of scientists in both continents. It seems to me that washed eggs need to be washed well; I dislike the thought of removing the bloom but not getting every possible trace of feces off (eg. a quick rinse under the faucet). Scrubbing every egg thoroughly with an egg cleaning product under clean warm running water before refrigeration is time consuming without a commercial egg washer. For this reason I'm currently on the "don't wash" side.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I wash mine gently with soap and refrigerate.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I don't think it was a scientific decision to wash or not wash.
From what I have read, European Countries do not allow the sale of washed eggs on the theory that the chickens will need to be kept in cleaner conditions for the eggs to be clean enough to sell. Therefore, healthier chickens and safe eggs. USA requires eggs to be washed, sanitized and refrigerated if they are for sale - so they will be safe to eat. Once you wash the bloom off the egg - it needs to be refrigerated.

 

[BReeder!]

I don't think it was a scientific decision to wash or not wash.
From what I have read, European Countries do not allow the sale of washed eggs on the theory that the chickens will need to be kept in cleaner conditions for the eggs to be clean enough to sell. Therefore, healthier chickens and safe eggs. USA requires eggs to be washed, sanitized and refrigerated if they are for sale - so they will be safe to eat. Once you wash the bloom off the egg - it needs to be refrigerated.

Oh there's plenty of science behind the decision. Theres also plenty of industry influence in law making, especially in the US. Dont don't the existence of scientific study in the process though. Is actually the communication and interpretation of scientific study that drives food regulations.

 

[Folly's place]

Here, where everyone sues everyone else over everything, maximum reliance on maximum safety standards usually comes out on top. Nobody in food safety is likely to tell you that eggs from the store can be unrefrigerated, with good reason. I'm happy to wash and refrigerate mine, some of which go to other people, with the understanding that they go right into the frig.
It is a personal choice though...
Mary

 

[1dzn4brkfst]

Here, where everyone sues everyone else over everything

"I didn't know" is a point used by those who are quick to sue. If selling eggs unwashed, it might be safest to have some large print on the carton mentioning the fact.