When do eggs go bad?

[Butterbean]

I know they are fine for awhile after their "sell by" date, but for how long?

Googling shows about 3 weeks but I just had someone tell me that as long as they have been refrigerated they are good 3-4 months.  

[Princess L]

I know they are fine for awhile after their "sell by" date, but for how long?

Googling shows about 3 weeks but I just had someone tell me that as long as they have been refrigerated they are good 3-4 months.  

I usually look at the Julian date (the date it was packaged) on cartons - not the expiration date, although it doesn't really matter   they're never around long enough to be of concern.   The Julian date is the actual day of the year -1 being Jan 1st & 365 being Dec. 31st.  They should be "fresh" for 4-5 weeks beyond the Julian date.  You could always do the float test if you're unsure of the age.  FYI ~ older eggs are better for hard boiling.

[NaturalWonder83]

stella u should be eating enough eggs that a dozen shouldnt last longer than 2 days max imo

[Butterbean]

stella u should be eating enough eggs that a dozen shouldnt last longer than 2 days max imo

Yeah I usually eat tons of eggs but things happened where I have a pkg of 18 that the sell-by date is Feb 15.  

Even though I usually try to buy the oldest eggs possible (for hardboiling like Princess said), this long of a date past the sell-by date + other things has me paranoid.  

Princess, I don't see the Julian date on the carton?  Only the sell-by date.

[Montague]

You could always do the float test if you're unsure of the age.

How does that work?

[Princess L]

Princess, I don't see the Julian date on the carton?  Only the sell-by date.

hmmm... I thought the Julian date was required by law - maybe not in your state  .  It's the date it was laid/packaged.  It's usually right above or below the sell by date.  You're probably pretty close to the "do not use" stage, but try floating them first.  If the test comes out ok - then hard boil them.

How does that work?

A very fresh egg will sink to the bottom right away and lie flat on its side. That's because the air cell is very small. It should also feel quite heavy.

As it starts loses its freshness (and more air enters the egg), it will begin to float and stand upright. The smaller end will lie on the bottom of the bowl, and the bigger end will point toward the surface. The egg will still be good enough to eat, however, if the egg fully floats and does not touch the bottom of the bowl at all, it's bad.

[Montague]

^^ I never knew that.
Thanks!

[Princess L]

^^ I never knew that.
Thanks!

Grandparents had chickens 





Asshole rooster pecked me in the leg    I still have a scar.

[yng466]

Eggs generally won't go bad, for the simple fact that the inside is pretty much sterile.They will however dry up on the inside giving off a noxious oder.