Perhaps you have some eggs sitting in the fridge, and you are just not quite sure about them. Maybe the date on the carton seems a bit old, or you simply cannot remember when you bought them. This is a very common situation, and thankfully, there are several simple and successful tests you can use to tell if an egg is bad or if it is still good to eat. We will go over all the methods so you can ensure those eggs are fresh, discovering five easy ways to check.

You might be wondering, "How do you know if eggs have gone bad?" Well, before you throw your eggs away, try a few tricks to see if the eggs are actually bad. We talked to experts about how to interpret the dates on the carton and find the best ways to test if eggs are still safe. Here are six ways to tell if your eggs are going bad and how you can prevent getting food poisoning, basically.

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Table of Contents

• The Float Test: A Classic Method
  • How the Float Test Works
  • What the Float Test Tells You
• The Sniff Test: Your Nose Knows
  • Before Cracking: The Smell Test
  • After Cracking: The Smell Test
• The Visual Inspection: What to Look For
  • Checking the Shell
  • What to See When Cracked
• The Sound Test: A Subtle Clue
• Checking the Date on the Carton
  • Understanding Expiration Dates
  • Expert Insights on Dates
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Keeping Your Eggs Fresh Longer

So, you're ready to figure out if your eggs are still good, right? The easiest way to tell if your eggs are bad is the sink or float test, which is often pictured. But we will cover all the methods. Here are four great tips for deciding if your eggs are good or bad, actually.

The Float Test: A Classic Method

The float test is, you know, one of the most popular and straightforward ways to check an egg's freshness. It is a simple trick that relies on how eggs change as they age. This test is pretty much a go-to for many people, and it is very reliable, too.

How the Float Test Works

To do this, you just place the egg in question in a bowl or wide glass of cold water. Make sure the water completely covers the egg. Then, you simply watch what happens. The egg's behavior in the water will tell you quite a bit about its condition, basically.

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As an egg gets older, the small air cell inside it begins to grow larger. This happens because moisture slowly evaporates through the porous shell, and air gets in to fill that space. A fresher egg has a tiny air cell, so it will sink. An older egg, with its larger air cell, will have more buoyancy, you know?

What the Float Test Tells You

If the egg sinks to the bottom and lies flat on its side, it is very fresh. This means there is hardly any air inside, so it has more density than the water. You can feel pretty good about using these eggs for anything, perhaps even poaching.

If the egg sinks but stands up on one end, with the wider end pointing up, it is still perfectly fine to eat. This means the air cell has grown a bit, but the egg is still good. It is probably a few weeks old, so it is still okay for cooking or baking, too.

Now, if the egg floats to the surface, it is a bad egg. This is because the air cell has become quite large, making the egg very buoyant. You should not eat eggs that float, as they are likely spoiled and could make you sick, honestly. It is just not worth the risk, you know?

The Sniff Test: Your Nose Knows

Your sense of smell is, quite literally, one of your best tools for detecting if food has gone bad. Eggs are no exception. A bad egg will usually give off a very distinct and unpleasant odor that is hard to miss, apparently.

Before Cracking: The Smell Test

Sometimes, you can get a hint of an egg's condition just by smelling the shell. A truly rotten egg might emit a sulfurous, almost sulfuric smell even through its shell. It is a pretty strong odor, so you will likely notice it right away, you know?

However, this is not always the most reliable method for eggs that are just starting to turn. For a more definitive smell test, you really need to crack the egg open. This is where your senses truly come into play, after all.

After Cracking: The Smell Test

If you have already cracked open your eggs, use your senses and your best judgment. Crack the egg into a separate bowl first, rather than directly into your recipe. This way, if it is bad, you will not ruin your whole dish, which is a pretty good idea, right?

A fresh egg will have little to no smell. If you crack an egg and it gives off a strong, foul, or sulfurous odor, sometimes described as a "rotten egg" smell, then it is definitely bad. Do not try to cook with it or taste it. Just toss it out immediately, you know? The smell is a pretty clear indicator, actually.

The Visual Inspection: What to Look For

Once you crack an egg, its appearance can tell you a lot about its freshness. Here is how to spy an egg that is past its prime or close. This is where your eyes become very helpful, too.

Checking the Shell

Before cracking, take a look at the egg's shell. A fresh egg shell should be clean and smooth, perhaps a little rough. If you see any slimy residue on the outside of the shell, or if it looks powdery, that could be a sign of mold or bacteria growth, which is not good, you know? Any cracks in the shell could also let bacteria in, making the egg unsafe.

What to See When Cracked

When an egg is cracked, keep an eye out for discoloration. A fresh egg white should be thick and somewhat cloudy, holding its shape around the yolk. The yolk itself should be firm and rounded, sitting high in the middle, basically.

If the egg white has a pink hue or looks slightly iridescent, or if the yolk has completely flattened, it is a bad egg. These are pretty clear signs of bacterial spoilage. Also, if you see any dark spots, like black or green, that could mean mold is growing inside. Just get rid of it right away, seriously. It is not worth taking a chance, you know?

The Sound Test: A Subtle Clue

This method is a bit less common than the others, but it can still offer a subtle clue about an egg's freshness. It relies on the consistency of the egg's contents. You just need to listen carefully, too.

Hold the egg close to your ear and give it a gentle shake. In a fresh egg, the contents are pretty firm and do not move much inside the shell. So, you should hear very little or no sloshing sound, you know? It should feel pretty solid.

If you hear a distinct sloshing sound, like liquid moving around freely inside, it might indicate that the egg is older. As eggs age, the whites thin out, and the yolk membrane weakens, causing the contents to become more watery and move around more. While not a definitive sign of spoilage on its own, it is a good reason to follow up with a float or smell test, you know? It is just a little extra check, really.

Checking the Date on the Carton

One of the easiest ways to tell if your eggs are still good is to check the date on the carton. This might seem obvious, but understanding what those dates actually mean is very important, you know? It is not always as simple as it looks.

Understanding Expiration Dates

Egg cartons usually have a "sell by" date or a "best by" date. The "sell by" date tells the store how long they can display the eggs for sale. It does not necessarily mean the eggs are bad after that date. Eggs can often be good for several weeks beyond the "sell by" date if they are stored properly in your fridge, which is pretty good news, right?

A "best by" date suggests when the eggs will be at their peak quality. Again, this is not a hard and fast expiration date for safety. You can often use eggs past this date, too. It is more about quality than immediate spoilage, in a way.

Expert Insights on Dates

We talked to experts about how to interpret the dates on the carton and find the best ways to test if eggs are still safe. They say that while the carton date is a good guideline, your senses are the ultimate judge. Eggs can sometimes last longer than the printed date, especially if they are kept cold consistently. So, even if the date has passed, do not just throw them out without trying a few of the other tests first, you know? It is worth checking, honestly.

Conversely, sometimes eggs can go bad before the date if they are not stored correctly or if the carton was damaged. So, using the date as your only guide might not always be the best approach. It is just one piece of the puzzle, really.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are eggs good for after the "sell by" date?

Eggs can often be good for about three to five weeks past the "sell by" date if they are kept properly refrigerated. This is because the "sell by" date is more about how long stores can display them. It is not a strict safety deadline, you know? Always use other tests to be sure, too.

Can you eat eggs that float if they do not smell bad?

No, you should not eat eggs that float, even if they do not have a strong smell. A floating egg indicates that a significant amount of air has entered the egg, which is a sign of age and potential spoilage. The absence of a strong smell might just mean the spoilage is not yet producing the most obvious odors. It is just safer to discard them, basically.

What does a pink egg white mean?

If an egg white has a pink hue or looks slightly iridescent, it is a sign of spoilage, often due to a type of bacteria called Pseudomonas. This kind of discoloration means the egg is bad and should not be eaten. It is a pretty clear visual warning, you know? Just toss it out.

Keeping Your Eggs Fresh Longer

To help your eggs stay fresh for as long as possible, always store them in their original carton in the coldest part of your refrigerator, which is usually on an inner shelf, not in the door. The door tends to be warmer and has more temperature fluctuations, which can make eggs go bad faster, you know?

Also, avoid washing eggs before storing them. Eggshells have a natural protective coating that helps keep bacteria out. Washing them removes this coating, making them more vulnerable to spoilage. Just keep them in the carton until you are ready to use them, basically. This helps a lot, you know?

By using methods like the float test, sniff test, and visual inspection, you can feel pretty confident about the freshness of your eggs. Knowing how to tell if an egg is bad is an essential kitchen skill that can help you avoid foodborne illness and prevent waste. It really makes a difference in your daily cooking, you know? Learn more about egg safety on our site, and find more kitchen tips on our cooking hacks page.