Eggs are an essential food in every household. This is because, on one hand, they are healthy, and people consume them daily. On the other hand, they can be used in various recipes, making them very versatile. We tend to buy eggs in larger quantities to avoid purchasing them frequently, especially since prices can rise and fall.
However, I had a concern, and probably many of you do too: how long are fresh eggs good for? Don’t worry; I didn’t know the answer to this question either, but now I will explain everything related to it. This article will answer many of your questions.
Contents
How Long Fresh Eggs Are Safe to Store & Eat
For the most part, people can confidently attest that, depending on how they handle them, fresh eggs can be stored and eaten for months. On the counter, you may keep fresh eggs for a month before you realize that there is a change in the quality or even the taste of the eggs.
When you place your eggs in the refrigerator, it is possible to keep them for several months, and you might not even taste the difference when they are a bit old.
Fresh eggs with the cuticle (bloom) intact:
Countertop, Warm Room: This process should take about a month, but completing it in two weeks is more advisable.
Countertop, Cool Room: About a month
In the Fridge: Several months
Fresh eggs—washed & no protective cuticle:
Countertop, Warm Room: Up to 2 weeks (but better 1 week).
Countertop, Cool Room: Up to 2 weeks
In the Fridge: Several months
Fresh egg treated with an edible coating:
Countertop, Warm Room: Up to a month
Countertop, Cool Room: About a month
In the Fridge: Several months
Soiled fresh egg:
Countertop, Warm Room: Up to a week
Countertop, Cool Room: Up to 2 weeks
In the Fridge: Wash it first—and then, it should last several months at best.
Store-bought egg:
The FDA states that you should never leave a refrigerator at room temperature for longer than two hours. Well, according to the FDA, no more than 2 hours in a cool room. According to reports, fresh eggs from the store usually remain perfectly fine for a few weeks after the expiration date.
How to Know If Eggs Have Gone Bad?
- Egg Float Test
Put the egg in cool water and leave it in the water so you do not crack it while stirring. The egg is fresh if it sinks & rests flat on the bottom of the glass of water. If it sinks but not flat but a little up, it is good but less fresh, so it is better to use it immediately.
If the egg sinks or falls to the bottom, it is still fresh and good, but if the egg floats, it isn’t pleasant. It may float but does not smell bad, develop a foul smell, or change color when you crack it open, so it’s fit for consumption.
- Smell Test
Crack the egg into a bowl. It has gone bad if it has a foul smell or smells like sulfur. The fresh eggs do not even have a scent at all. A rotten egg will show symptoms within a few minutes, which is one way of knowing whether it is terrible.
- Check the Egg Whites
Break the egg plate, put it in a bowl, and see the egg white portion. The raw egg white is thick and has a slight opacity compared to a processed one. Abnormal eggs have thin and transparent whites; in some instances, they may appear greenish or even have a metallic sheen. This indicates that the egg has become bad or is bad for consumption.
- Shake the Egg
Put the egg close to your ear, and shake it. If you hear the sound of the liquid shifting around, then it is likely expired. When shaken, new eggs produce no sound because the egg white and the yolk are well compacted. If you get a liquid sound, do a different test to determine if the egg has gone bad.
How to Clean & Store Fresh Eggs Properly
Cleaning Fresh Eggs
- Wash eggs only if they are visibly dirty (for example, covered in feces or mud).
- Unwashed eggs can be stored longer because of their natural protective coating.
How to Wash
Temperature: Use warm water (90-120°F) to clean, making it at least 20°F higher than the actual egg to make sure bacteria entry is not promoted.
Process
Wash under running water an individual egg every time.
Do not soak, since this will expose the eggs to bacteria.
Stubborn Dirt: If needed, use unscented soap or a mild abrasive pad. Do not use harsh chemicals or fragrances, which can be absorbed into the egg.
3. Sanitizing
- Combine to create a sanitizing solution:
- 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water.
- Dip your eggs briefly in this solution. Then rinse them with clean water.
4. Drying
Dry the eggs completely with a clean towel before storing to avoid moisture accumulation, which encourages bacterial growth.
Storing Fresh Eggs
Refrigeration
- Store washed eggs in the refrigerator at a temperature between **35-40°F (1.7-4.4°C)**.
- This is important because washed eggs lose their protective coating and are more prone to spoilage.
- Unwashed eggs can be left at room temperature for weeks, but it is best to refrigerate them once they are washed.
Positioning
Place eggs with the pointed end down to:
Center the yolk.
Minimize air entry through the shell.
Rotation
- If you have both washed and unwashed eggs:
- Use the older ones first.
- Turn them regularly for freshness.
Freshness Tracking
- Record dates of collections of eggs in your collection.
- Use the older eggs first where their storage is at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to wash eggs before consuming them?
The USDA’s website states, “There is no need, and it is discouraged to wash commercially packed eggs as this may lead to more harm than good as the wash water can be pulled into the eggs through the shell’s pores. When the chicken comes up with the egg, it is coated outside by the hen.
How many days can hard-boiled eggs be stored in the fridge?
Hard-cooked eggs will stay fresh for seven days when kept in the shell. You should try to consume peeled eggs within two to three days. Cool boiled eggs for 2 hours after preparing, and do not let those eggs remain at a temperature higher than the room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Is it good or bad if an egg has been put in the pan and cracked?
To be safe, do not use eggs with cracks on their shell. If, however, you suspect that a small crack might have occurred while you were on your way home from the store, the float test should be conducted, and if the egg sinks in water and appears and smells right, try it.
Final Words
This post has simple ways to identify if the yolks are harmful. Buying eggs that do not float is a good idea because when an egg is put in water and floats, it is old and could be spoilt. However, if an egg does not smell bad when it is broken open and floats, it does not necessarily mean it is bad or unsafe to eat.
The smell test is another efficient way since a lousy egg will release a very unpleasant sulfur odor. Also, the white and yolk should be cloudy in appearance and taste and not have a slimy texture if spoilt. Finally, shaking the egg will signal whether the contents are watery, probably meaning that it is not suitable for consumption.
Avoid washing fertilized eggs that you purchase from the farm. You can keep them on the counter for up to 2 weeks. In contrast, non-fertilized eggs need to be refrigerated for safety reasons.