Dates on eggs / how long do they keep for?

nungirl

Normally i am religious about dates but have been learning that there is a bit of give regarding best before and use by! I am paranoid about eggs and was wondering how religious you guys are about eggs. I have half a dozen eggs that are dated the 21/09 that will have to be thrown out unless someone has a better idea.:eek:

lizzyb1812

You can test your eggs for freshness. Every egg has an air pocket in it. As the egg ages the air pocket grows. So put a fresh egg in a jug of water and it will sink because it has only a little air in it. A not so fresh but still OK egg will stand up in the jug with one end on the bottom. An egg that floats has a lot of air in it and will probably be not very nice.

Test the eggs before you use them, and just to be sure, use them in a recipe and not as boiled eggs. Break each one into a dish one at a time so if there is a wrong'un you've only wasted the bad one.

This was how everyone tested eggs before they were date stamped and even Delia has demonstrated the eggs in water method.

Hope this sorts you out

Lizzyb1812

bandraoi

you'll know if eggs are gone off.

Pitlanepiglet

I use eggs that are a couple of weeks after their date with no problems. I just break them separately and look at them.

sunflower76

I never look at the dates on eggs. It really annoys me that we need them there, but that's another rant altogether! I use the sink or float method above and if there is any doubt I crack it into a seperate little dish so that I can do the sniff test before adding it to whatever it is that I'm cooking.

You'll know as soon as you crack it if it's off as the smell is absolutely disgusting!

Skint_Catt

I never look at dates on eggs either, but then I get through a dozen a week so not usually a problem. As before, just put them in water.

eco

this reminds me of my bil sister she won't eat eggs from her husbands eggs cos they aren't stamped

oystercatcher

Oh I use eggs that are a good month or so over their dates no problem. If you're concerned break into a seperate cup and give it a sniff if smells OK it is OK . Bad eggs smell like stink bombs so you'll know
As long as egg is well cooked it won't give you problems, if you're using them for uncooked or very lightly cooked stuff then maybe make sure they are super fresh. Otherwise they will be fine they last for much longer than the dates say.

Oystercatcher

anonymousie

Eggs last for ages esp in the fridge- it is only recently that people have bothered to refridgerate them. THey will be fine- just break them into a cup firts- you will know if they are off!!

Also check eggs carefully when you get them for any teeny cracks- those need using up.

Penelope_Penguin

There's an older thread here on eggs without date stamps

Penny. x