How to Tell if Eggs Are Bad: 4 Simple Ways to Check
Wondering if your eggs are still good? Don't risk it. Use these simple, proven methods to quickly test for freshness and safety.
1. The Float Test (Most Reliable)
This is the best way to check an egg's freshness without cracking it. As eggs age, the air pocket inside grows, making them more buoyant.
- Fill a glass or bowl with cold water.
- Gently place the egg inside.
- Observe its position:
- Sinks and lies flat: Very fresh. Perfect for eating.
- Sinks but stands upright: A few weeks old, but still safe. Best for hard-boiling.
- Floats to the top: The egg is old and likely spoiled. Discard it.
2. The Sniff Test (Trust Your Nose)
Your nose is a powerful tool for detecting spoilage.
- Fresh eggs have no noticeable smell.
- Bad eggs will have a distinct, foul, or sulfur-like odor.
If it smells bad in the shell, throw it out immediately. If it smells fine, crack it into a separate bowl and sniff again before using. If you detect any off-smell, discard the egg and wash the bowl.
3. Visual Inspection (Look for Clues)
Before and after cracking, a visual check can reveal signs of spoilage.
On the Shell:
- Cracks or damage: Bacteria can enter through cracks.
- Slimy or powdery texture: This can indicate mold or bacterial growth.
Inside the Shell (Crack into a separate bowl):
- Pink, green, or iridescent egg white: A clear sign of bacterial contamination. Discard immediately.
- Flat, runny yolk: A fresh yolk should be bright and dome-shaped. A flat yolk means the egg is old.
- Watery egg white: Fresh egg whites are thick and hold their shape. Thin, watery whites indicate age.
4. Check the Date (Use as a Guideline)
Your egg carton has several dates. While useful, they are primarily for quality, not a definitive safety measure.
- Sell-By Date: Eggs are often good for 3-5 weeks past this date if refrigerated properly.
- Pack Date: A 3-digit code (Julian date) indicating the day the eggs were packed (e.g., 001 is Jan 1).
Always trust the float or sniff test over the printed date.
When to Discard an Egg Immediately:
- It floats in water.
- It has a strong, rotten smell.
- The egg white is pink, green, or iridescent.
- The shell is slimy, powdery, or cracked.
Proper Egg Storage for Maximum Freshness
- Refrigerate immediately at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Keep them in the original carton on a main shelf, not in the refrigerator door.
- Store them pointed-end down to keep the yolk centered.
Food Safety Tips
Pro Tip
Always crack eggs into a separate bowl before adding to your recipe. This way, if one egg is bad, it won't contaminate your entire dish.
Quick Reference Guide
- Fresh (1-2 weeks): Sinks flat, no smell, firm yolk
- Older but safe (3-4 weeks): Stands upright, still no smell
- Bad (discard): Floats, foul smell, unusual colors
By using these quick tests, you can confidently determine if your eggs are safe to eat, preventing food waste and protecting your health. When in doubt, throw it out.