Food Storage

How to Tell If Eggs Are Fresh: Simple Testing Methods

Quick take: The float test, visual inspection, and smell are reliable ways to determine egg freshness at home.

The float test: Fill a bowl with cold water. Fresh eggs sink and lie flat. Week-old eggs stand upright. Floating eggs are old.

The visual test: Crack an egg onto a plate. Fresh eggs have compact, high yolks surrounded by thick whites. Older eggs have runnier whites that spread widely.

The sniff test: Fresh eggs have virtually no smell. Any sulfurous odor means discard immediately.

Storage tips: Store in their carton in the main refrigerator, not the door. They keep 3-5 weeks beyond the pack date.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you tell if eggs are still good?

Use the float test: fill a bowl with cold water. Fresh eggs sink and lie flat. Week-old eggs stand upright. Floating eggs are old and should be discarded.

How long do eggs last in the refrigerator?

Eggs keep 3-5 weeks beyond the pack date when stored in their carton in the main refrigerator (not the door).

What does a bad egg smell like?

Bad eggs produce a sulfurous, rotten smell that's unmistakable. Fresh eggs have virtually no smell. If you detect any sulfur odor, discard immediately.

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Written by the SummitPlate Team

Our team combines nutritional science and AI technology to help families eat better and save money. SummitPlate's meal plans are designed using USDA nutritional guidelines and optimized to reduce food waste through smart ingredient overlap.

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