How do YOU store your eggs?

[Kendc0]

So I think I know the basics (and I mean very basic) methods for storing eggs.

To wash or not to wash? I think a lot of people ask that question. Do you store yours in the fridge? On the counter? In a little basket? In a jar?

I want to know what has worked best for you and why!

As an American, our grocery store eggs are all washed per government regulation (I'm pretty sure). But I have heard that some countries like Japan don't require washing and so their eggs are much safer to eat raw when it's called for that particular recipe (think a genuine Omurice or Oyakodon). I want to know best practices for safe to eat eggs and if someone plans to sell those unwashed eggs, what's the SOP?

So let's see it! I'd love to see your set ups too

 

[HappyClucker7]

I don't wash my eggs unless they are super dirty, which only happens rarely. Once I bring them inside they go into a basket on the counter, and if they don't get used right away, then I'll put them in the fridge.

 

[affacat]

The gravity roll for looks and quick access to the eggs we cook with. The trays on the right are super low profile and stackable when empty... We have 4 but only 2 are stacked there. (I found them on Amazon, highly recommend them if your egg count varies over time and you want expandable storage)

We normally have several eggs dozen on hand but i am about to clean everything so they're almost empty.

We don't wash our eggs, and we leave them on the counter. If we get overloaded we make something or give them away.

 

[Sussex19]

I never wash eggs; I don't think the ones in the shops here in Australia are either.
They get stored in the fridge in old ice cream containers.

 

[Callender Girl]

I generally don't wash eggs. I store them -- depending on size -- in lidded, hard-plastic egg cartons, meant for fridge use, on the counter or, for the super-sized chicken and duck eggs, on an egg skelter, like affacat's.

Sometimes, the duck eggs are just too dirty, and if I have to wash those, they go in the fridge and are used first.

I sell eggs to folks I know, and when they get their first eggs, I give them a printed sheet explaining the how's and why's of storing eggs. I include information about the protective bloom on eggs, why U.S. store eggs are washed and must be refrigerated, and that the Iowa State University Extension small animal specialist is on record saying that unwashed eggs can safely be stored without refrigeration.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I wash, or rinse(Depends on dirtiness), & refrigerate them.

 

[Acre4Me]

So I think I know the basics (and I mean very basic) methods for storing eggs.

To wash or not to wash? I think a lot of people ask that question. Do you store yours in the fridge? On the counter? In a little basket? In a jar?

I want to know what has worked best for you and why!

As an American, our grocery store eggs are all washed per government regulation (I'm pretty sure). But I have heard that some countries like Japan don't require washing and so their eggs are much safer to eat raw when it's called for that particular recipe (think a genuine Omurice or Oyakodon). I want to know best practices for safe to eat eggs and if someone plans to sell those unwashed eggs, what's the SOP?

So let's see it! I'd love to see your set ups too

unwashed eggs aren’t “safer”.

Safer than what? If you think they are safer from salmonella you are incorrect. A bird with salmonella will lay an egg that contains salmonella. And as a side note, quail eggs do not contain salmonella -apparently quail do not carry salmonella, so in many Asian countries eating/using raw quail eggs is common.

Even in clean backyard or industrial setups, some eggs get dirty with poop. So, you clean them. Once cleaned, they must be chilled.

Due to the bloom on an egg, they are safe to store on the counter/room temp for awhile. But, in warmer weather I’ve noticed my counter eggs taste a bit different after several days at room temp, but this doesn’t happen in the colder winter months.

 

[Kendc0]

unwashed eggs aren’t “safer”.

Safer than what? If you think they are safer from salmonella you are incorrect. A bird with salmonella will lay an egg that contains salmonella. And as a side note, quail eggs do not contain salmonella -apparently quail do not carry salmonella, so in many Asian countries eating/using raw quail eggs is common.

Even in clean backyard or industrial setups, some eggs get dirty with poop. So, you clean them. Once cleaned, they must be chilled.

Due to the bloom on an egg, they are safe to store on the counter/room temp for awhile. But, in warmer weather I’ve noticed my counter eggs taste a bit different after several days at room temp, but this doesn’t happen in the colder winter months.

Ohh ok gotcha. I suppose I was under the impression that a salmonella contamination came from an exterior source, not with the laying hen. I will definitely do some research on this, thank you!

 

[Ozarkoak]

We don't wash our eggs. They go into the refrigerator when brought into the house. Our house is pretty warm some days 85F+ so it just weirds me out leaving the eggs out. Before we consume said egg we almost always wash them in warm water. We sell a dozen or two daily and we write right on the carton that THESE EGGS ARE NOT WASHED and we also give them the option of washed eggs. Out of everyone we sell eggs to 0% want them washed this is not their first farm fresh egg rodeo.

 

[chfriedmam]

I'm struggling with this also. Right now I store them usually unwashed in the fridge, but they take up a lot of room. I want to get the pretty spiral holder on the counter to ensure 1st in 1st out.

But, we would like to start selling them, probably only about 5doz/week, but as a real business, not under the table, for tax purposes. Legally, they must be washed and refrigerated where I am I THINK.

Plus, can I say, they are so pretty washed and oiled up. I think I may be at the age (in my 50s now) where I can choose to sometimes do something "wrong" like washing off the bloom just cause I want to and bc either way that egg will be safe and eaten way B4 it goes bad.

I still have research to do.