Figuring out if an egg is still good to eat can feel a bit tricky, especially if you’re new to cooking. You might wonder, “How can I tell if an egg has gone bad?” It’s a common question because bad eggs can smell and taste really unpleasant. But don’t worry, it’s actually quite simple to check!
We’ll walk you through easy steps so you can be sure your eggs are fresh. Let’s find out how to check your eggs.
How Can I Tell If An Egg Has Gone Bad
Eggs are a staple in many kitchens. They’re great for breakfast, baking, and so many other dishes. But like any food, eggs don’t last forever.
Knowing when an egg has gone bad is important for your health and to avoid unpleasant meals. A spoiled egg can make you sick. Luckily, there are simple tests you can do right at home.
You don’t need special tools. You just need to use your senses: sight, smell, and a little bit of science. This guide will show you exactly what to look for.
The Float Test A Simple Check
The float test is the most popular and easiest way to check if an egg is still good. It works because of the air cell inside the egg. When an egg is fresh, the air cell is very small.
As an egg gets older, moisture escapes through the shell, and air gets in. This makes the air cell bigger. A bigger air cell makes the egg float.
Here’s how to do the float test:
- Get a bowl or glass and fill it with cool water.
- Gently place an egg into the water.
- Watch what the egg does.
If the egg sinks to the bottom and lies flat on its side, it’s very fresh. If it sinks but stands up on one end, it’s still good to eat, but it’s not as fresh. It’s older, but the quality is still fine for most cooking.
If the egg floats to the top of the water, it has gone bad. It’s best to throw it away.
Why Does An Egg Float When It’s Old
The shell of an egg is porous. This means it has tiny holes. Over time, water evaporates from the egg through these holes.
At the same time, air can enter the egg. This process creates or enlarges an air pocket, usually at the large end of the egg. This air pocket is called the air cell.
The more air that gets into the egg, the more buoyant it becomes. A fresh egg has a tiny air cell and stays at the bottom of the water. An older egg has a larger air cell, making it lighter and causing it to float.
Checking The Smell Is It Rotten
Smell is one of the strongest indicators that an egg has gone bad. A fresh egg has a very mild smell, if any. A rotten egg, however, has a very distinct and unpleasant odor.
This smell is often described as sulfurous or like rotten eggs. It’s a strong smell that can be detected even before you crack the egg open.
How to check the smell:
- If you’re unsure about the float test or want extra confirmation, crack the egg into a separate small bowl or on a plate.
- Before you touch it or use it, take a sniff.
- If you notice a strong, foul, or sulfurous smell, the egg is bad.
- If there’s no unusual smell, it’s likely still good.
This simple sniff test is very reliable. The smell of a bad egg is hard to miss. It’s a sign that bacteria have grown inside the egg.
Visual Inspection What To Look For
Before even smelling or floating, you can often tell if an egg has gone bad just by looking at it. The shell itself can give clues. Also, what you see when you crack it open is very important.
Checking the shell:
- Look for any cracks or slimy spots on the shell. These can be signs that bacteria have entered the egg.
- A shell that looks unusually dull or powdery might also be a sign of age or mold.
Checking after cracking:
- Crack the egg onto a flat surface, like a plate or a shallow bowl.
- Observe the yolk and the white.
In a fresh egg, the yolk will be firm and rounded. The egg white will be thick and stay close to the yolk. It will have two parts: a thicker white that surrounds the yolk and a thinner white that spreads out a bit.
As an egg ages, the white becomes thinner and more watery. The yolk can become flatter and more fragile. If you see any discolored spots in the white (like pink or green), or if the yolk looks broken or mushy, the egg has likely gone bad.
Sometimes, you might see small, dark spots inside the egg white. These are usually blood spots or meat spots and are harmless. You can just remove them.
The Shake Test A Quick Check
The shake test is another quick way to get an idea about the freshness of an egg. This test relies on the fact that the contents of an older egg are more liquid and separated than in a fresh egg.
How to do the shake test:
- Hold the egg up to your ear.
- Gently shake it.
If you don’t hear any sloshing sound, the egg is likely very fresh. The white and yolk are firm and held together. If you hear a sloshing sound, it means the egg white has thinned out and the contents are more liquid.
This indicates the egg is older, but not necessarily spoiled. A very loud sloshing sound might mean the egg is quite old and could be bad. However, this test isn’t as reliable as the float test or smell test on its own.
It’s best used as an additional check.
Cooking With Older Eggs
Not all eggs that fail the “very fresh” test are bad. If an egg sinks but stands up in the float test, it’s still perfectly fine for cooking. Eggs that are a few weeks old are often better for hard-boiling.
Their whites are less likely to stick to the shell, making them easier to peel. Older eggs can also be used in recipes where their freshness isn’t a main feature, such as in cakes, cookies, or quiches. The key is to always perform at least one of the other tests (smell or visual check) if the egg is not super fresh.
If it passes those, you’re good to go!
Storage Matters How Long Do Eggs Last
Proper storage helps eggs stay fresh longer. Always store eggs in their original carton in the main part of your refrigerator, not in the door. The temperature in the refrigerator door fluctuates too much.
The carton protects the eggs and keeps them from absorbing odors from other foods. Whole, raw eggs can last for about 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator. They can last even longer if they are properly stored and the refrigerator temperature is consistent (below 40°F or 4°C).
Once eggs are cooked, their storage time changes. Hard-boiled eggs will last about a week in the refrigerator. If you’ve used only part of an egg, it’s best to discard the rest if it’s been out of refrigeration for more than two hours.
If you’re unsure about an egg’s freshness, it’s always better to be safe and discard it. The cost of a new carton is much less than the risk of food poisoning.
When To Throw Away An Egg
You should always throw away an egg if:
- It floats during the float test.
- It has a strong, foul, or sulfurous smell.
- You see any pink or green discoloration in the egg white or yolk.
- The yolk is broken and the white is very watery and spread out.
- The shell has slime or mold on it.
If an egg fails any of these crucial checks, do not try to salvage it by cutting out a bad spot or cooking it longer. Bacteria that cause spoilage can spread throughout the egg. It’s not worth the risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How can I tell if an egg has gone bad without cracking it
Answer: You can use the float test. Fill a bowl with cool water and gently place the egg in it. If it floats, it has likely gone bad.
You can also gently shake it near your ear; a sloshing sound suggests it’s older.
Question: What does a bad egg smell like
Answer: A bad egg has a very strong, unpleasant, sulfurous smell, often described as “rotten eggs.” This smell is a sure sign that the egg has spoiled.
Question: Can I still eat an egg that floats
Answer: No, if an egg floats to the top in the float test, it has gone bad and should be discarded. If it sinks but stands up on its end, it’s older but still good to eat.
Question: How long do fresh eggs last in the refrigerator
Answer: Fresh, raw eggs stored properly in their carton in the refrigerator can last for about 3 to 5 weeks past the sell-by date.
Question: What if I see a small blood spot in my egg
Answer: Small blood spots or meat spots inside an egg are usually harmless and are a result of a small blood vessel breaking during ovulation. You can simply remove them with a spoon and still eat the egg.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how can I tell if an egg has gone bad is simple with these easy checks. Use the float test for a quick start. Always trust your nose; a bad smell means it’s time to toss it.
Visual checks of the shell and what’s inside when you crack it also give big clues. You can confidently choose fresh eggs for your meals.
