A Simple Way to Tell a Bad Egg from a Good One
If you let your chickens roam freely in your backyard, rather than use nesting boxes, sometimes you find eggs laid all over, then you need to figure out if it is freshly laid or old. Additionally, sometimes you might want to test one you purchased from a store or a farm stand.
Kitchen Essentials
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Materials
- Farm Fresh Eggs
- Uncooked Eggs
Instructions
- First, use your sense of smell. If you smell something unpleasant and rotten, it is a good sign that it should be discarded.Farm Fresh Eggs, Uncooked Eggs
- Second, take a look. If you are using eggs and you are unsure of their expiration date or freshness, crack it in a bowl before using it in any recipe. You will be able to see and smell if it is fresh. Look for bacterial growth by checking for discoloration in the yolk or whites such as pink, blue, green, or black. Additionally, check the outer egg shells for any cracks, or powdery areas.
- The egg float test is an easy way to check the freshness.
- It is easy to perform this test. Place the egg in question in a large pan, glass, or bowl of cold water. If you are testing just one a glass of water will do.
- Watch what the egg does. As a general rule, if the egg sinks, tilts on its side, and rests on the bottom, it is fresh.
- If it the pointy end tilts upwards or floats, it is old and it is time to discard it.
Notes
How to Tell If Eggs Are Still Good
Even with good storage, old eggs eventually go bad. Here’s how to test: Shine a Light — The Float Test- Sinks flat: Fresh
- Stands upright: Older but still usable
- Floats: Too old; toss it
As an egg ages, the air pocket inside grows, making it more buoyant.
How Long Do Fresh Eggs Last?
Here’s a quick guide to egg shelf life under common storage conditions:| Storage Method | Freshness Window | Notes |
| Room temperature (unwashed farm eggs) | ~1–3 weeks | Cooler room, slower deterioration |
| Refrigerator (washed or unwashed) | ~3–5 weeks | Best practice for safety |
| Refrigerator (with mineral oil coating) | ~3–4 months | Traditional method for extended life |
| Freezer (out of shell) | ~12 months | Eggs only, not in shell |