Topic of the Week - Cleaning and Storing Eggs

[calboy147]

I had some very old pea eggs that floated, but they were stored on the counter for many weeks during the hottest part of the year. Other than those, and maybe a few others, I would say that the float test is a pretty good indicator of bad eggs.

I'm working on a "float test" project and happen to have these pictures of these bad eggs:
View attachment 1201240 View attachment 1201241
I'm not 100% sure, but I think all of those are bad.

Do you crack open the floaters to do the look smell test as confirmation?

 

[ZaneStokes150flock]

We gently remove any debris from the eggs and waterglass up to 10 dozen eggs in a pickling lime and water mixture. This hardens the shell and we have had eggs from last year that I am just getting to. Causes the white to be a little runny, but good flavor!

 

[calboy147]

I store eggs on the counter in an open carton using the 'cups' for salable eggs and the cover for my eating eggs, unless they have been washed.
They get eaten or sold way before they'd 'go bad' and it's just easier not to deal with refrigerating them. The temp there is moderate all yer so no worries about overheating. I rarely have 'too many' eggs, I have 'extra' customers for times of plenty, but would refrigerate unwashed in cartons if I did and I've read that using an airtight container will deter moisture loss.

I don't wash eggs unless they are very dirty, then will refrigerate or use immediately because thorough washing will remove all the protective bloom(cuticle).

Eggs should be washed in 'water warmer than the egg'.
Simple physics, using colder water will cause the egg contents to contract, causing any 'germs' on exterior surface of egg shell to be pulled into the interior of egg thru the shell pores. Using warmer water will do the opposite, makes perfect sense to me.

I don't use any soap or other cleaning/sanitizing agent, just rotate in my hands to 'scrub' all surfaces area of egg shell. Then I air and towel dry before placing in the fridge.

If you are washing eggs for sale to the general public, other requirements may apply, so check your state regulations.

The 'float test' will only show that egg has lost moisture and may be older, will not tell you if it is 'bad'. Unless an egg is cracked and oozing, or stinks, the only way to know if eggs are 'good' or not is to break them one at a time in a separate dish and use your eyes and nose to assess before putting in pan or recipe.

My wife is pretty hardcore on tossing supposed bad eggs. Food in general. I really think it is more to make room for her next thing, but oh well. So what is the consensus on eggs that stand up or lift just off the bottom of the pot? My wife tosses them or cooks them to feed the chickens or my dog. Unless they float at least halfway to the top i usually put in a carton marked floated eggs, stick them in fridge and use them first. And by the way. If there is no offending smell when cracking a questionable egg, what am i looking to see to determine it is bad?

 

[Folly's place]

The problem is that you might not notice anything.
I don't float test, because we get eggs every day, and right now the flock is locked in their coop. When they free range, if we find a hidden nest, all those eggs get thrown out. If more eggs appear when we check the site daily, we keep them.
Not interested in food poisoning!
Mary

 

[tripletfeb]

We gently remove any debris from the eggs and waterglass up to 10 dozen eggs in a pickling lime and water mixture. This hardens the shell and we have had eggs from last year that I am just getting to. Causes the white to be a little runny, but good flavor!

I have three dozen eggs waiting to be water glassed today! I'm hoping it works for me too

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

I just put them on the counter and don't wash them if you wash them you have to put them in the fridge. To test if they're bad I put them in a glass of water if they float they're bad if they think they're good is there Midway I usually just feed them to the chickens

 

[aart]

To test if they're bad I put them in a glass of water if they float they're bad

Not True @Pampered chicken girl

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.

When in doubt....
Open eggs one at a time in a separate dish before adding to pan or recipe,
use your eyes, nose, and common sense to decide if egg is OK to eat.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Not True @Pampered chicken girl

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.

When in doubt....
Open eggs one at a time in a separate dish before adding to pan or recipe,
use your eyes, nose, and common sense to decide if egg is OK to eat.

I do it right before I eat it so no worries about wetting it and if it's old enough to be floating then it should be bad that's what I read

 

[aart]

if it's old enough to be floating then it should be bad that's what I read

I'm sure you did read that, but it's not true.

 

[Folly's place]

And if it sinks, it's newer, but never assume that the 'float test' actually relates directly to safety.
Mary