Hi, I was wondering how long i can store eggs in the fridge before they are spoiled? I have a small flock of RIR and get 2 dozen every 3 days...We give them away and eat lots, but still have excess. I store the eggs and our garden produce (I'm drowning in heirloom tomatoes) in a fridge outside where they stay cool and pests can't get in. I know that store bought eggs may be a couple weeks old by the time you get them, but what is a fresh egg's life expectancy? thanks for any comments.
Eggs are good when: Fill a bowl with water deeper than an egg is long. Place eggs in bowl. If eggs settle to the bottom and lay on their side...they are as fresh as can be can be and yolks do not need to be thoroughly cooked. If eggs, while still on the bottom of the bowl, start pivoting upward they are a little less fresh but can still be used for baking, scrambling, etc. When completely upright but still on the bottom of the bowl...the egg is still ok but must be thoroughly cooked (scrambling, used in batter for frying, etc.) Once the egg actually starts to float and is no longer in contact with the bottom of the bowl...toss it! When things spoil, they oxidize; This might explain the whole floating egg method. -From Eggberta
From Mother Earth News: Eggs refrigerated in a sealed container will last for about seven months. Their whites may become somewhat runny but smell and taste will remain good. Start with the freshest eggs available, of course, and don't wash the bloom off - that will increase the porosity of the shell. Eggs can also be frozen: Break two new-laid eggs into a small bowl. (Two only because that seems to be the most usual number used.) Stir with a knife to roughly mix yolk and white - do not beat. Pour in the eggs into a lightly oiled cup and freeze. Put into a plastic bag and store in the freezer. You can add frozen eggs until the bag is full. Thaw covered in the refrigerator, then beat into milk or whatever and use just like fresh eggs.
Quote:WOW, that's great to know! By "sealed container".... egg cartons count right? They're sealed to shut, but not really 'completely' sealed. My Uncle used to go by the water test & always smelled a cracked open egg in a bowl before it was used in any cooking. (saying the egg should have no smell). Great info.
I've also read about the frozen egg thing... except you fill an ice tray with scrambled, not beaten, eggs. Each 'cube' is supposedly about one egg's worth of egg. Seven months though, wow, gonna have to leave one in the fridge just to see lol. Edit* Does the length an egg last change if it is fertile or not? As long as they're in the fridge?
