preserving eggs..

[Atripp06120]

I have heard about coating eggs in an oil (don't remember what its called - starts with a C) and it can make them last for up to a year if kept in a coll dry place.. has anyone ever heard or done this? And if I was to cover them in the oil... do I want to keep the initial natural layer on the egg rather than washing it? I obviously don't want to wash the eggs to remove the layer... but if I also cover it on the oil will it out last the 7months I've heard and read about?

 

[mrballance]

I have heard about coating eggs in an oil (don't remember what its called - starts with a C) and it can make them last for up to a year if kept in a coll dry place.. has anyone ever heard or done this? And if I was to cover them in the oil... do I want to keep the initial natural layer on the egg rather than washing it? I obviously don't want to wash the eggs to remove the layer... but if I also cover it on the oil will it out last the 7months I've heard and read about?

Read Mother Earth News, Very informative

 

[enola]

Google - storing eggs waterglass method

Absolutely amazing way to store eggs. And I know it works. There was an old couple I knew that used this method for eggs for baking in the winter time. She gave me a dozen of water glassed eggs because my hens had stopped laying and I forgot to buy eggs for my week's baking. The whites were a little runny and the yolks had gotten darker orangish looking, but they smelled and tasted fine.

 

[justplainbatty]

You can use mineral oil. It's best to collect eggs often and keep very clean nests if you do this. They are good for 6 months at least w/o refrigeration. I've got to look it up again myself to be sure. I'm going to do it also, just got the mineral oil from supermarket. I saw a video of one of those homesteaders...didn't bookmark it.

 

[song of joy]

Mother Earth News had a very good article about preserving eggs a variety of ways. As I recall, the most effective way is to store them unwashed in the refrigerator. They will keep for at least 6 months this way, and the quality is better than the other methods (e.g., covering in oil). I've used eggs up to 4 months old that have been refrigerated and they've been fine, so I can believe they'd keep well at least 6 months if not longer.

If I need to store them longer than 6 months, I typically freeze them. Crack the eggs and gently mix the white and yolk together (you don't want a lot of air mixed in). Some people add either salt or sugar to keep the yolk from jelling when frozen (approx 1/8 teaspoon of salt per 2 or 3 eggs, or 1 teaspoon of sugar per 2 or 3 eggs), but this is optional. I usually freeze them in quantities of 2 or 3 eggs, as I use them for recipes.

 

[Yayah]

This is so interesting!! Never heard of this oil method, but I totally believe about refrigerating them for months. I don't think I've ever had a fresh egg go bad.

 

[madamiec]

water glass method and mineral oil dip/spray are not the same but they both are old ways (and very good) to preserve eggs without a fridge

 

[justplainbatty]

the only reason I want to do the oil is that I don't have enough room in the fridge for 10 to 14 eggs a day. I do sell them but not fast enough. I just found a place where they will let my advertise. I didn't want to start selling to strangers until egg freeze time is over. I don't bake so I could care less if they freeze, as long as they don't crack. If they do crack I just cook and feed back to birds. I do collect eggs twice a day but I don't insulate or heat my coop. (They only get a heat lamp if, in coop temps will be below 20* but it does nothing for the eggs) Will be doing some upgrades this year with electric, thinking of installing seed mats for winter nest boxes.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

water glass method and mineral oil dip/spray are not the same but they both are old ways (and very good) to preserve eggs without a fridge

Someone on this forum reported keeping mineral oil, lard, and water glass coated eggs for I think up to 12 months by also keeping the eggs refrigerated. This is how your granny, great granny, and great great granny bought her eggs 100 or more years ago. "Egg brokers" bought up surplus eggs in the spring and summer then stored them in refrigerated or ice cooled warehouses and caves until the demand for eggs peaked between November and February. It gave a totally new meaning to the term "fresh eggs"

 

[madamiec]

Unwashed, unfertilized eggs will keep just about as well....and many places still use these methods. Ask anyone who serves in Haiti!