💡 How-To
How to Tell if an Egg is Bad (The Float Test)
The "sell by" date on eggs isn't actually an expiration date " — eggs can last 3-5 weeks past that date. Here's how to tell if they're still good using the float test and other methods.
The Float Test (Most Reliable)
- Fill a bowl with cold water
- Gently place the egg in the water
- Observe what happens:
| Result | Freshness | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Sinks and lies flat on side | Fresh (under 1 week) | Safe to eat |
| Sinks but stands upright | Older (2-4 weeks) | Safe to eat, use soon |
| Floating | Bad (has gas inside) | Throw it away |
The Crack Test
- Crack into a bowl and observe
- Fresh egg: Yolk stands tall, white is thick and compact
- Old egg: Yolk is flat, white is thin and watery
- Bad egg: Discolored (pink, green, or iridescent), slimy texture, or foul smell
Other Freshness Checks
- Shell check: Cracked shells allow bacteria in " — discard cracked eggs
- Smell test: Bad eggs have a distinct sulfur/rotten smell " — you'll know immediately
- Date label: "Sell by" date is not expiration " — eggs last 3-5 weeks past it
- Julian date: The 3-digit number on the carton (001-365) is the day of the year it was packed
Egg Storage Tips
- Store in the original carton " — not the refrigerator door (temperature fluctuations)
- Keep at 33-40°F " — back of the refrigerator is coldest
- Raw eggs last 3-5 weeks in the refrigerator
- Hard-boiled eggs last 1 week in the refrigerator (unpeeled)
- Never freeze raw eggs in shell " — they expand and crack
The freshness trick: Write the purchase date on the carton with a marker. Eggs are good for 3-5 weeks past the "sell by" date. If you bought them on March 1 and the sell-by date is March 15, they're good until at least April 12.
⚠️ When to throw eggs away:
- Floating in water " — gas has built up inside (bacteria)
- Slimy or chalky shell texture
- Unusual color when cracked (pink, green, iridescent)
- Any sulfur or rotten smell " — even a slight one
- Cracked shell that's been sitting out
The bottom line: Float test: fresh eggs sink and lie flat; older eggs sink but stand up; bad eggs float. The "sell by" date isn't expiration " — eggs last 3-5 weeks past it. Store in original carton at the back of the fridge. When in doubt, crack it open " — fresh eggs have tall yolks and thick whites.