To wash or not to wash eggs?

[iheartnh]

I don't wash before storing, or refrigerate my eggs. Washing is about the worst thing you can do to an egg, unless you're going to eat it immediately. And even then, I only feel compelled to wash if there's obviously something that needs to be removed. As for putting them in the fridge, I don't plan to do that in the future - though right now, only 3 birds are laying, so I'm usually standing next to the coop with my frying pan, tapping my foot and sighing impatiently....

 

[Alm8807]

Do you wash eggs if you are giving them away or selling them ? I have been because I am afraid people will think that getting eggs with poop on them is gross haha. It doesn't bother me ... I was just wondering what other people do? thanks

 

[Alm8807]

also what do you wash them with?

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

I wash only when we sell them.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

also what do you wash them with?

I use a little mini sponge thingy.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote: Yep, I ate dirt as a kid. We spent a great deal of my childhood at a lake in the summers - we used to take turns burying each other up to our necks in the sand. I had plenty of germ immunity!

I didn't used to keep my eggs out, but then I found that baking with eggs that are at room temperature, makes for fluffier baked goods. So now I keep some on the counter for my use.

Do you wash eggs if you are giving them away or selling them ? I have been because I am afraid people will think that getting eggs with poop on them is gross haha. It doesn't bother me ... I was just wondering what other people do? thanks

I don't, and my customers prefer it that way. I do tell them that they are unwashed. I will be more picky on the spot cleaning though - they get my cleanest, largest, prettiest eggs.

 

[jackhorn01]

Ok, so I've been doing this for awhile now and have changed habits 1 or 2 times due to what I've heard from others experiences. What I gather is that every method in this whole conversation is correct for the correct situtation. I am thinking that what you should do with your eggs boils down to how long it is realistic for you to keep an egg for. Someone like me that uses alot of eggs, it doesn't matter about washing them and putting them in the fridge because they won't be there long enough to pick up flavors or go bad or any of the other things people obsess about here. If you will ever actually keep an egg for 6 months then yes, I'd say you need to pay more attention lol. What I do is keep an egg tray in the fridge for my personal use stuff. I only wash the heavily soiled ones, ie with poop on them or dirt for the occasional one layed on the ground instead of in the nest box. Even then, I only pass them under running water briefly and scrub the spot and then dry. You don't want to soak or submerge them for an extended period of time. Also, I saw someone mention using cold water. That is a huge nono. It doesn't have to be hot water, but the rule of thumb, is water warmer than the egg. You will suck bacteria into the egg using cold water. I do have one misc question tho. What are all the little reddish brown spots on the eggs. I know its not poop. They scrub off and its really not a big deal to me if they are there, I was just wondering what they were. Also, how much dry scrubbing can you do without hurting the bloom? I have one of those egg brushes with the sandpaper on it. Will lightly brushing with it without getting it wet remove all the bloom?

 

[duckinnut]

I don't wash mine, unless I have a dirty one, which is rare. I survived eating dirt as a kid, so a little germs on the shell won't hurt me. Besides, I don't eat the shell.

If it does bother you, then you can wash them before using them.

Exactly. Besides the fact that you are going to cook the egg with heat. Not a good environment for bacteria to survive. Unless you are Rocky Balboa.

Eating dirt and rose petals was my brothers favorite hobby. Heck my mother even defrosted meat and chicken on the counter and myself and my brothers lived to tell about it.

 

[Ellochicken]

Well, of course there's the 'keeping them fresh longer part', but you also have to think about this. Say you're making scrambled eggs, and you forget to wash the egg, and when you crack it into the pan, some of the shell falls in, and that shell had salmonella bacteria covering the shell. And you just pick it up and toss it. What then? Whoever eats the eggs gets Salmonella! This is just a personal thought. I always wash my eggs before putting mine in the fridge. But I don't leave mine out on the counter very long. They stay out just long enough to dry after they're washed. This is just a precaution that I take, because it's happened to my father and I.
Sorry if this goes against anything, just stating my thoughts and opinion!

-Ellochicken

 

[pickitfarm]

We do not get dirty eggs from our hens. We have 25 laying hens and another 15 soon to lay. No poo or dirt or anything. Because of my research we do not wash them, but because we are selling them we are required to refrigerate which we do.. When I cook them if I remember I run them briefly through water and if I don't so what. No one has gotten sick. Someone mention germaphobia these days. Unfortunately it has become common practice to keep children away from "eating dirt" and the excessive amount antibiotics that have been prescribed to many, we do have to be concerned about "super" germs. Interesting enough, they are doing studies on parasites that many use to carry without harm and now do not and how this can be causing more harm. There is a balance to everything but so many times someone gets the idea that extra of a good thing is better when it is more harmful. UGH!