How do you test an egg?

[Deleted User]

Floats its foul, Sinks its super

browneyedbazzi

I've just taken some eggs out of the fridge with the intention of making a cake and noticed that they're a couple days out of date...I've heard that you can check if eggs are safe to use by seeing if they float in cold water (if they don't they're ok to use) rather than just throwing them out as soon as they hit their date.

Does anyone use this method to check eggs? Is it reliable? any tips?

Middy

From my experience, eggs are OK for about 12 days after the UB date. One of the colleague perks is that we can buy reduced eggs if they have passed the Display until date. Normally there is 5-7 days gap between the DU and UB dates. I normally finish the box within 10 days of purchasing them.

katiejones

If they float they are off xx

Butterfly_Brain

If they sink to the bottom they are fresh
If the stand on end they are ok for cakes etc
If they float they are off

Stephen_Leak

If they float, they're old. That does not necessarily mean that they're off.

If, when you crack them, they smell like a stink bomb, they're off.

PS. Old eggs are best for hard boiling (and pickling). If one end floats, then make a little hole in that end, to release the air, so it doesn't crack the shell.

lisakay_2

I'm firmly in the 'crack 'em and see' gang. If they're bad you'll know about it

browneyedbazzi

Thanks folks, sounds like cake may be back on the menu because these eggs don't float!

[Deleted User]

I used eggs to make an omelette the other day that were dated march 2012 and I haven't died yet:D

Torry_Quine

I never even look at the dates on eggs and have used eggs bought weeks earlier and never had a problem.