To wash or not to wash eggs?

[jaseg]

I was thinking of taking a scientific approach to this life long debate. One washed egg, I mean really scrub it down, and one unwashed egg. In a bowl, add water and red or blue food colouring. Place both eggs in the water for a few days. I'm curious to see if the Washed egg will actually absorb any of the food colouring. Also will the unwashed egg actually repel the food colouring?

The reason behind this is to see if it is truly safe to lightly wash an egg without the fear of absorption and compromise the egg. Is it really that permeable after washing? I think this would be a great test to try and put to rest or confirm these accusations and debates weather to wash or not to wash.

I'll try it this weekend with pictures and post it in a new thread.

Jase

 

[JeanR]

I never wash an egg (from my hens) unless it is showing "dirt", and then only just before I use it. If you want to wash, do it with water warmer than the egg, as then the cold egg will repell absorbtion of the water.. Color test will enter each egg, if the temp is the same as the egg, scrubbed or not. If eggs under a setting hen become fouled, if washed in HOT water, hotter than the incubating egg, the "dirty" will not be absorbed into the egg and harm the developing embryo.
Store eggs are already washed--I do not want to eat one, handling and packing should be inspected,. but "who knows?".

 

[silver1polish]

DON'T WASH YOUR EGGS it will take of a protection off of the eggs instead use special wipes that are just for eggs ok

 

[michael1003]

I dont wash my eggs and they sit out on the counter. Salmanila is not an issue even if heven forbid a shell with it some how falls is the food. Why because we are cookig the eggs. Crapy store eggs go in the fridge for my not so smart friends and family members

 

[ChickenLoveRI]

Recently I was advised to gently clean eggs with vinegar. The vinegar will protect the bloom. has anyone tried this or now of this method?

 

[whittychick]

Recently I was advised to gently clean eggs with vinegar. The vinegar will protect the bloom. has anyone tried this or now of this method?

I have not heard this before! I wonder if it's true?!

 

[ChickenLoveRI]

You would think the acidity from the vinegar would break down the protective barrier?! The woman who told me is pretty experienced in the world of chickens, so maybe I will try it on a few. How would you know if you broke down the bloom?

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

The forever debate. To wash eggs or not.

I am on my 4th year with raising chickens.....and have decided to not wash the eggs. If they are dirty, I just wash before using. I also date them, and keep them on the counter top. Un-refidgerated. They are fertile eggs. I have had no issues with doing it this way.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Recently I was advised to gently clean eggs with vinegar. The vinegar will protect the bloom. has anyone tried this or now of this method?

That was the first washing method I tried. It seemed to me it damaged the shells much more than plain very warm water does. Check out how to pickle quail eggs ... the vinegar in the pickling solution dissolves the shells.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

If I must wash eggs...it is because they are poopy. I wash them and we consume those eggs immediately.