To wash or not to wash...eggs

[roadrunner0]

I would be leary of raw eggs that are 9 months old, better to just take the chicken along.. Unless kept below 42 deg. the protein will start to degrade within several weeks.. The ancients would hard boil the eggs and put them in olive oil or wine/vinegar for long journeys.. I guess maintaining some barrier between the nasties that want to get in and the egg is important for extended shelf life but since the supply levels are good the point is mute.. Commercial egg producers would be using the coatings to extend the shelf life if it worked I would think..

 

[BackyardCountry]

i dont wash. i figure its only on the shell, right? cant hurt ya. Also, doesnt every egg come out of a hen's "you know what"? People.....

 

[Waight]

I've gotten unwashed chicken eggs from a neighbor and I washed them myself however, my aunt told me a neat trick to keeping washed eggs fresher longer. She told me to get some mineral oil and rub it all over the egg and it will imitate the bloom.

 

[Zootopia]

You can coat your eggs with a Warm mineral oil to extend shelf life but there are some things you will not be able to use the eggs for, like any application that requires the egg white to be whipped. There is a section in Stories book on chickens that tells of several ways to preserve eggs and how well each works and for how long.
I never wash eggs. We wipe eggs with a dry cloth as we carton them any too dirty are fed to the dogs. We sell <15> doz a week and our customers are told the eggs are not washed and why. I only have one customer who washes hers when she recieves them, I told her to use warm water and dry on a towel before putting in the fridge.

 

[cmommyrun]

Ok I guess I am the only germaphobe here but I ALWAYS wash my eggs. when you put it in your refrigerator its going to circulate the germs to your other food if there is any poop on it! Also when you crack the egg to use it it will touch it and get in your food. I think you can get sick like that. I always wash lol.

 

[Beekissed]

I don't know about you, but I keep eggs in a carton when and if they ever make it to the fridge~ unless the food walks while the door is closed and in the still of the night and rubs itself all over the eggs inside the carton, I have no idea exactly HOW germs from an egg would transmit to other foods. When last I checked those kind of germs were not airborne bacteria.

I didn't see anyone on this thread describe placing poopy eggs anywhere in their fridge or near other foods or cracking them and eating them. Most of the folks described wiping or sanding poopy eggs before storing or eating. Some just toss them to the chickens rather than bring them in the house.

Trust me...if folks were going to get sick on animal's fecal matter, it would be more likely to come from their house cat or dog than their chicken's eggs. The cat poops, doesn't wipe his butt, then leaps up on the couch or sits his bare butt on the carpet, counter tops, table, etc. Talk about Salmonella on a sandwich! Same with the family dog...does his business, comes in a sits down on the carpet or couch right where the children play. Ick.

Oh..I forgot...they BOTH do clean their butts...with their tongues. Then they give everyone some "love" by licking them in the face!

Give me an unwashed chicken egg any day of the week!

 

[CarolJ]

You're not alone. I wash every single egg and keep them refrigerated. There are probably dozens of threads here on BYC debating this topic. Do what makes you feel comfortable. I no longer debate it or even explain my reasons since everyone has their own opinion and aren't likely to change. I know what works for me - and that's what I do.

Ok I guess I am the only germaphobe here but I ALWAYS wash my eggs. when you put it in your refrigerator its going to circulate the germs to your other food if there is any poop on it! Also when you crack the egg to use it it will touch it and get in your food. I think you can get sick like that. I always wash lol.

 

[stanberryk]

I grew up on a farm and I never knew of my grandparents, parents, relatives, or myself of ever washing our eggs, unless they had poop on them. I am 64 and still kicking.

 

[micheller1210]

I saw on the food channel that was featuring Ireland and they had buttered eggs for sale in the market, as soon as the eggs are layed they wipe the eggs with butter,they sold the eggs in the open with the produce. I have always wondered about that and has anyone tried this method before? sounds interesting.

 

[wickedlees]

I have my first beautiful 3 eggs (had 4 one got stepped on) in a sealed carton in the fridge. No washing. I figure I'm gonna crack it anyway (I blew out the first one and am keeping it cause I'm a dork like that). So far nothing is on the egg that would deter me from that. I did have some bedding on one yesterday so I ran it under warm water and let it dry on a tea towel. I lived in a 3rd world country most of my growing up years, I'm betting those eggs weren't washed either. I've made it this long I'm the oposite of a germaphobe. A little dirt never hurt.