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Eggs are an exceptional superfood and the cheapest source of vitamins in the market. Therefore, learning how to store eggs is as essential as storing flour or rice for long-term emergency purposes or in case of a disaster.
Eggs are among the most nutritious food items that can get spoiled easily if not stored correctly. So, if you want to know how to store fresh eggs long-term, please read on…
Read More About Food Storage Ideas
How Long Do Eggs Last?
In the U.S., eggs are considered the most nutritious perishable items in the market. Therefore, they are always kept in the fridge to keep them fresh. Eggs can last for a very long time when stored correctly, so throwing them away after they have reached their expiry date may not be a good idea.
When they are transported and stored correctly, eggs can last for a couple of weeks in the fridge. They can last even longer when stored in the freezer. The FDA requires that the store keeps them at a temperature of about 45 degrees Fahrenheit from the time they’re washed until they are bought. But remember to store them correctly after purchasing them.
The faster you refrigerate them, the longer they will last. This can prevent condensation buildup that plays a vital role in the movement of bacteria into the eggs. So, you should store them in their original carton, even when in the refrigerator.
The carton will protect the eggs from temperature fluctuations and will prevent odor absorption. Generally, eggs can last for about five weeks after their packing date in the refrigerator and over 12 months in the freezer.
How Can You Tell If the Eggs Are Still in Great Condition?
If you don’t know how long the eggs have been in the refrigerator, then you shouldn’t just assume that they are spoiled. Instead of throwing them away, you should first confirm the expiration date normally printed on its carton. If it has not yet expired, then you have nothing to worry about.
Alternatively, you can confirm the packaging date. The pack date is normally the 3-digits on the carton that correspond to the day they were packaged. If they were packaged on the first day of January, it’s normally printed 001. If the eggs are less than a month since they were packaged, they are in excellent condition.
The eggs can still be in good condition for several days even after the expiry date. Before throwing them away, do a sniff test first. Before you do this, check the shells for slimy or powdery appearance or cracks. If its appearance has changed, then you should throw it away. If it looks okay, you can crack one open to check for funny smells or discoloration.
If it doesn’t have any discoloration and smells fine, then you can use it. If it’s contaminated with Salmonella, the egg may look and smell normal but still make you sick. So, you should cook the eggs at a temperature of about 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the bacteria.
How to Store Fresh Eggs Long Term
These are the best methods you can use to store eggs for a longer period of time.
Freeze Dry the Eggs
Freeze dryers are pretty costly, but they can be an excellent investment if you’re a prepper. A freeze dryer can store any food for as long as 10 to 25 years; therefore, it’s the best solution for long-term storage.
Every food that has been stored in a freeze dryer can retain over 97% of its nutrients while maintaining its color and flavor. A freeze dryer allows anyone to prepare for an unexpected disaster that can lead to a long-term emergency.
Water Glassing Eggs
If you don’t like the modern methods of storing eggs, like using a freeze dryer, you can try water glassing them. Water glassing is an ancient method for preserving eggs to keep them fresh for about 18 months. But the longer they stay in the solution, the runnier the yolk and whites will be.
The best water for storing eggs should not be rich in minerals, and they should also be fluoride- and chlorine-free. You can go for either natural spring water or distilled water for your eggs to last even longer.
If the water in your town has fluoride, boil it first and then let it cool before adding the eggs. For this process, you should do the following:
- Add 5-ounces of lime to 5-quarts of water in a 3-gallon bucket and leave more than enough room for the eggs. Make sure you add an equal ratio of lime to water to your bucket. If you’re using a smaller bucket, you can try 2-ounces of lime to 2-quarts of water.
- Mix the water and lime until the lime dissolves completely.
- Next, add some unwashed eggs to the solution, making sure that the pointy side is facing upwards. This will ensure that the air sac remains on the upper side of the eggs.
- Cover the bucket with a lid to prevent evaporating and store it in a cool dark place. But, make sure you wash the eggs as soon as you remove them from the bucket.
Dehydrating Eggs
Another reliable method that’s been used for years is dehydration. Dehydrating eggs is relatively easy, but you need an efficient dehydrator.
Egg powder can come in handy when making baked goods, omelets, and scrambled eggs. To dehydrate the eggs, you should do the following:
- Using a whisk, you can whisk all the eggs you plan to store until the whites and the yolk blend thoroughly.
- Line your dehydrators with a fruit leather sheet or parchment paper.
- Pour the scrambled eggs on the dehydrating trays and then set the dehydrating temperature and drying time. The entire process of dehydrating the eggs can take a maximum of 18 hours to dry.
- After it has dried, you can place the eggs in a NutriBullet, food processor, or blender and grind it.
- Finally, you can store the egg powder in glass mason jars, but don’t forget to add an oxygen absorber. To preserve its freshness, you can vacuum seal your mason jars.
To reconstitute your eggs, you can mix two tablespoons with six tablespoons of water. But you don’t have to always mix it with water. You can add it directly to your mixing bowl together with all your other ingredients.
Freezing Fresh Eggs
The easiest method for preserving eggs is by freezing them. You need a freezer container and some huge silicone ice-cube trays for this method.
You can also use a freezer-safe Ziploc bag, but vacuum-sealing them is way more effective. Vacuum-sealing eggs can help prevent freezer burns. Before placing the eggs in the fridge, you should do the following:
- Since most recipes require you to use only two eggs, you can place at least two eggs in each section of the tray.
- Start by scrambling two eggs at a time using a hand whisk.
- Pour the lightly scrambled eggs into the tray and continue until your tray is full.
- Next, cover your tray using parchment paper, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap.
- Place the eggs in the freezer, and once they are frozen, you can remove the eggs from the tray and package them correctly.
- Simply place the frozen eggs in the Ziploc bags and put them in the fridge. When you are ready to use the eggs, you can defrost them by placing them in a bowl of water at room temperature.
Also, find out how you can store rice long-term and check out our tips for storing sugar for a long time.
FAQs
How long will an unwashed egg last in the fridge?
Storing unwashed eggs in the fridge can increase its shelf life. Storing the unwashed eggs in the fridge can increase their shelf life by up to 3 months. Remember, washed eggs tend to lose quality and moisture sooner, but they are still safe to eat.
How long will an unwashed egg remain fresh on the counter?
If you leave your unwashed eggs with the bloom intact on the counter, you should expect them to last for two weeks. So if you’re not planning to use them any time soon, we recommend that you store them in the fridge.
Takeaway
An egg is one of the most affordable nutritious foods in the market that features in most recipes. If you keep chickens in your backyard, you need to learn how to fresh eggs long-term. After all, you can only safely consume three eggs per day. Luckily, there are ways you can store this perishable food for up to 18 months and enjoy it in case of a disaster.
