Eggs are usually bought in large quantities and stored, but do you know how long do eggs last in the refrigerator? Well, that’s a tricky question; how long can they be kept in the fridge?
To give you a quick answer, they can last for about 1 week, and if you freeze them properly, they can last for up to 1 year. However, the main thing to keep in mind is that storing them correctly is crucial, but I must mention that over time, their quality tends to diminish.
Contents
How to Store Eggs Properly In The Fridge: Easy Tips
Always store eggs in their original cartons; this prevents them from absorbing odors from other foods and keeps the eggs fresh.
Refrigerate at the Correct Temperature
Remember to adjust the temperature of your refrigerator to not more than 40°F (4°C). This temperature is very effective in preserving the freshness & quality of the eggs to be consumed.
Store on an Inside Shelf
Put the carton on the inside of the door and preferably on an upper shelf. The spread of heat on an inside shelf is less compared to the outside shelf since the door is opened and closed often.
Position Eggs Correctly
This is just especially for cases where you are stocking ‘fresh’ eggs – the smaller pointy end should face down. This aids in positioning of the yolk and also, results in the food holding freshness for a longer time.
Do not Store Near Sources of Other Smells
Finally, eggs should not be stored close to foods with strong odors such as onions and garlic in order not to pick those odors.
Check for Freshness
To check if an egg is still good, you can do a float test: place it in a bowl of water. If it sinks, it’s fresh; if it’s standing on the bottom or floating, then it is raw, and better to throw out.
Use Within Recommended Time
Fresh, whole, raw eggs usually can be consumed up to 4-5 weeks after the pack date if stored in the refrigerator correctly. Hard-boiled eggs in the shell will last 1 week.
Keep the Raw Egg Whites & Yolks Different
Raw egg whites or yolks should be put in sealed containers and placed in the refrigerator if there are extras.
- Egg whites: 4 days
- Egg yolks: 2 days.
How to Know If Egg Is Gone Bad?
Visual Inspection
Check for Smell and Appearance: Scrutinize the egg. If it stinks or has an unusual appearance, one must avoid taking the chance and, instead, better throw it away. You should avoid buying milk with a sour smell, thickness, or a slimy or shiny shift from the usual dull look.
Water or Float Test
- How It Works: People often use this technique to know whether their eggs are fresh. Add approximately four inches of cold water into the bowl or glass, then carefully put it into it.
- Edible: The fresh eggs will lie at the bottom of the bowl /container. If the egg is not floated but balanced on the small end, it is still suitable for consumption, though not very fresh.
- Toss: you should discard less dense eggs that will float in water. Floating occurs because bacteria within the egg begin to ferment and thus make the egg float.
Dry Egg Test
Crack and Observe: Beat the egg in the center of the plate so that you get the egg white to check for cracking.
Fresh Eggs: Healthy white eggs are thick and opaque and do not spread when cut with a sharp knife.
Old Eggs: It is also easy to identify when the egg is getting old by looking at the texture of the egg white and if it spreads thinly over the plate.
My Final Recommendation
If you are still in doubt after these processes, open the egg. While a fresh egg should not smell, a spoiled egg will have a pungent sulfur smell.
How Can I Freeze Raw Eggs?
As with our raw eggs, freezing is a suitable method of maximizing your time with them for consumption in the kitchen. And im going to tell you the process. All you have to do is to follow detailed steps.
Preparation
It’s imperative to use fresh eggs to get the best results. Do not freeze eggs in their shells because the ice crystals pressurize them and cause the shells to crack.
Basic Freezing Process
1. Whisk the eggs lightly until the yolks and the white are barely mixed. Make sure to prevent foam from forming.
2. Choose your storage container:
- Freezer-safe plastic bags(TIP): Pour the mixture in and lay it flat to stack easily.
- Ice cube trays: Some of the cubes are as small as half an egg in dimensions, making them ideal for measuring portions.
3. For bags, spread out flat on a tray and freeze them. Fill ice cube trays with water & freeze until solid. Once fully frozen, transfer the ice cubes to a freezer bag.
Freezing Separate Components
- For egg whites: It is thus advisable to separate them from yolks & freeze them similarly.
- For egg yolks: Then, put a preservative on them when they thicken.
For sweet recipes, use one pint of yolks for every tablespoon of sugar. In general, one tablespoon of salt per pint of yolks is advised for savory dishes.
Thawing and Usage
- Thaw frozen eggs using one of these methods:
- Cool and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- Under cold running water
Which Changes Occur After Freezing Eggs
Raw Eggs and Freezing: Physical and Chemical Changes
Several important changes occur when raw eggs are frozen, altering their quality & suitability. Such changes are important to understand to preserve and use the records properly.
Tissue Changes During Freezing
In freezing, liquids expand in the eggs. Therefore, eggs should not be frozen in their shells, which will cause cracking and contamination.
Texture Alterations
Different egg components react uniquely to freezing:
The yolks go through the gelation process, changing the texture and becoming thick and normally gel-like. It is advisable to mix them with salt or sugar prior to freezing in order to prevent this.
Surprisingly, the whites display better structural stability and can even exhibit enhanced foaming characteristics post-freezing, which may benefit meringue applications.
Flavor Impact
Freezing also minimizes the alteration in basic egg flavor. Nonetheless, any additions made during preparation, including sugar or salt for yolk preservation, will undoubtedly impact the taste of the thawed product.
Recycling Do’s and Don’ts & Food Hygiene
If raw eggs are protected correctly during the freezing process, they should be safe for up to one year, but they are of better quality in the first three to six months. After being frozen, the food products should be utilized immediately and properly cooked to avoid compromising quality.
FAQs
How long can raw egg whites be stored in the fridge?
You can store raw egg whites in the fridge for up to 4 days, ensuring they stay fresh and ready for your culinary creations.
Is it OK to keep eggs at room temperature?
Refrigerated eggs should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours because of the danger of bacterial growth.
Can I freeze eggs for more extended storage?
Although raw eggs should be beaten together before freezing and kept in airtight containers, they may remain frozen for up to a year.
How do you know if an egg is no longer viable?
Signs include an off smell, discoloration, or any slimy or iridescent appearance on the egg or inside when cracked open.
Final Words
Refrigeration extends the shelf life of eggs significantly. Fresh eggs that are stored properly and refrigerated can last up to 4-5 weeks past their pack date or around 1-2 weeks after their best-by date.
These dates, however, are just guidelines. Eggs can safely be consumed even beyond these dates. To determine for sure, always check for signs of spoilage before consuming.