Topic of the Week - Cleaning and Storing Eggs

[katieuppi]

I refrigerate all my eggs and only wash the ones with yuck on them.

 

[bruceha2000]

I wash a bit of "stuff" off maybe 1 egg out of 50. When I'm getting lots of eggs I don't refrigerate because I'll have a dozen to sell/give away every day or two. In the winter when I'm not going to have enough to fill a carton for days, I'll refrigerate just so they stay a bit fresher though I know they won't go bad in that time if they aren't refrigerated.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Break out a dozen eggs one at a time into a cup. As you break out and inspect each egg put the egg into a food processor. Add a teaspoon of salt. Buzz briefly in the food processor. A dozen eggs should fill an old fashion ice cube tray. After the eggs in the ice cube tray are well frozen put the egg icicles in a chilled freezer bag or Tupperware box. When you want scrambled eggs just defrost as many eggs as you need.

 

[Old Philosopher]

I understand the consensus here about washing only when necessary. I follow the running water 20*F hotter than the egg, etc.

I only wash the ones with fecal matter on them. But here's my question:

Is refrigerating an egg with fecal matter on preferable to washing the poop AND the bloom off? In other words, will leaving a little poop on the shell be worse than removing the bloom, if they are refrigerated in either case?

 

[ChickNanny13]

There is no way I'm putting an egg with fecal matter into my frig If there's fecal matter, I try brushing whatever I can with a toothbrush, if that does the trick great. If not I use a wet paper towel to clean off the area before I put in the frig. I only have 4BOs so the eggs get used up fast. I've been lucky with these girls, they lay clean eggs & keep their nest clean, so proud of them

 

[aart]

I understand the consensus here about washing only when necessary. I follow the running water 20*F hotter than the egg, etc.

I only wash the ones with fecal matter on them. But here's my question:

Is refrigerating an egg with fecal matter on preferable to washing the poop AND the bloom off? In other words, will leaving a little poop on the shell be worse than removing the bloom, if they are refrigerated in either case?

I would not put poopy eggs in my fridge, for the same(well, opposite) reason you wash with warmer than the egg water, would not trust the bloom to keep that cold contraction from pulling bacteria in thru the pores. If an egg is poopy enough to wash, wash it thoroughly and completely and immediately use or refrigerate.

 

[flock mommasan]

I keep my eggs out on the counter in a skelter and have never had an issue with any being bad, even when I've kept them for a couple of weeks. I wash them off as I use them. Personally I would not put eggs from the coop into the refrigerator. Why bother? I love seeing the beautifully colored eggs on my counter and it's a nice conversation piece when people visit.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

- Should you wash the eggs before storing them?
I usually don't, but if there's some poop on one I'll wipe it off with a wet cloth

- Should you store them on the counter or in the fridge?
I store mine in the fridge

- Are they better stored in egg cartons?
much easier to have egg cartons/boxes rather than have loose eggs in the fridge!

- Are they better stored in the fridge after washing them?
Think so

- How can you tell if the eggs you stored are still o.k. to eat, without cracking them open?
You can float test them in a glass of water. If it sinks it's good, if it floats, it's bad.

 

[aart]

- How can you tell if the eggs you stored are still o.k. to eat, without cracking them open?
You can float test them in a glass of water. If it sinks it's good, if it floats, it's bad.

That's a pretty picture, but....
Floating an egg will only tell you how old it might be.

They float due to evaporation when older.

It will NOT tell you if an egg is 'good' or 'bad'.

Plus then you've wetted the egg so it should be thoroughly washed and refrigerated.

 

[Shadrach]

I don't wash eggs until I'm going to use them.
I don't keep eggs in the fridge.
I do what others have mentioned in this thread and crack each egg into a test bowl before use.
Any eggs where the yolk breaks when cracked open I usually give to the chickens.
I've got better things to do with my time than play boats with eggs.