How to Store Eggs? (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Eggs? ›

To keep them safe, take eggs straight home and store them immediately in the refrigerator set at 40 °F or slightly below. Leave them in their carton and place them in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not in the door. After hard cooking, eggs can be stored a week in the refrigerator.

Store them in their original carton on an inside shelf and away from pungent foods. The temperature on an inside shelf remains more constant than one on the door, which is opened and closed frequently. The carton keeps the eggs from picking up odors or flavors from other foods and helps prevent moisture loss.

High temperatures encourage spoilage faster while temperatures that are too low will make the egg freeze. Fresh eggs that are stored at about 55°F with 75% humidity will last for about 2-3 months. Fresh eggs that are stored at 30°F with 85% humidity will last for up to 9 months.

Eggs will last longer in the fridge, provided you don't put them in the door. The cold does make them last, but constant changes in temperature can make them go off quicker. They should be kept nearer the back of the fridge, where the temperature is more constant.

Lastly, eggs should always be stored with the large end up, the same way they are packaged in the carton. This helps the yolk remain centered.

Thermostabilizing involves heating eggs to 130°F for 15 minutes. This process kills bacteria and slightly cooks a layer of egg whites near the shell. These thermostabilized eggs can last for about 2 weeks at room temperature or up to 8 months at 34°F.

You can leave eggs on the counter about two hours at room temperature or one hour if the temperature is 90 degrees F or hotter before you start to worry, per the Egg Safety Center. After two hours, you'd be safer to throw those eggs out and get a fresh dozen rather than chance it.

Always purchase eggs before the "Sell-By" or EXP (expiration) date on the carton. To keep them safe, take eggs straight home and store them immediately in the refrigerator set at 40 °F or slightly below.

In the home ideally store eggs in the fridge. Always keep eggs or egg products (incl mayonnaise etc) refrigerated when you're not cooking with them or eating them. These foods should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours including the time you use to prepare and serve them.

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), you can freeze eggs for up to one year. When you're ready to use frozen eggs, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or under running cold water. Use egg yolks or whole eggs as soon as they're thawed.

Why do Europeans not refrigerate eggs? ›

Processing eggs in Europe

One, various countries in Europe vaccinate chickens against salmonella beforehand. In addition, eggs are not washed like they are in the United States, so the cuticle is left on the shell. As a result, eggs can be stored at room temperature instead of needing to be refrigerated.

To prevent problems with bacteria, we refrigerate our eggs after they are processed. But outside the U.S., most countries leave that protective cuticle intact. They also employ other methods to ward against salmonella, like vaccinating hens and packing and selling eggs near where they are laid.

Simply fill a bowl with cold tap water and place your eggs in it. If they sink to the bottom and lay flat on one side, they are fresh and good to eat. A bad egg will float because of the large air cell that forms at its base. Any floating eggs should be thrown out.

For optimum quality and safety, you want to make sure your eggs are kept at a steady temperature below 20'C, so try to avoid moving them too often between very cold and very warm temperatures such as between a hot car and fridge, or fridge and hot kitchen.

Keep eggs in their original boxes when storing - this ensures any odours from surrounding foods are shut out. If you take eggs out of their box, make sure you store and use them in date order. Store eggs at a constant temperature below 20°C - this maintains freshness and quality.

Eggs should always be stored in their carton.

The carton is the easiest way to prevent this from happening.

A general rule, unwashed eggs will last around two weeks unrefrigerated and about three months or more in your refrigerator. If you're experiencing an egg boom, it's smart to refrigerate any unwashed fresh eggs you aren't planning to eat immediately. This will help them last longer.

Eggs have small pores which harmful bacteria can enter. Even shells that appear clean can carry germs. Even so, eggs do not need to be washed. If not washed, they can keep without spoiling for weeks without refrigeration.

On those egg cartons, if an expiration date appears, it can be no more than 30 days after the pack date. "As long as they're kept properly refrigerated at 40°F or lower, fresh eggs are safe to eat four to five weeks beyond the carton's Julian date," Maloberti says.