How to keep from accidentally hard boiling a rotten egg

[KatGold]

Apologies if this is posted in the wrong place.

After 10 years of chicken keeping, you'd think I'd know the answer to this, but I don't.

I've had a couple of bag eggs lately. I could try to guess why, but this is not the time. What I want to now is this--when I crack open an egg, it is obvious when the egg is bad (smell, green, putrid, it's impossible to miss, right?)

But what about boiling/steaming eggs? What happens if I accidentally hard boil (steam) a bad egg? Will it explode? Will it seem fine until I open it? I'm trying to get through my older eggs. I have a stockpile.

I don't believe the water/sink method works as a general rule. Perfectly fine eggs float. Also, that is an age/O2 test, I don't know what an actual rotten egg would do.

Thanks.

#DystopianRefridgeratorEating

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Don't do the float test. Eggs are porous. You can force bacteria into them, especially if the water is colder than the eggs.

Collect your eggs daily. They shouldn't be rotten if fresh. Use them within 3 weeks. Store them in the refrigerator. I've never had a rotten egg. Sometimes an egg has gunk in it. You won't know that until you open it up.

If you are truly concerned you could invest in a high powered egg candler to check the insides first.

 

[KatGold]

I understand about collecting and using, but I'm hoping to use the eggs in my fridge. I don't have a high powered egg candler, but I guess I can use a flashlight in a dark room.

I'm needing "here I am, what can I do now" advice. I am doing my best to not leave the house. Though, maybe there hasn't been a run on candling lights; maybe I can Amazon up one.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How old are your eggs? Do you clean them before storage? You can always give them a sniff. Rotten eggs will smell rotten through the shell.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs I've always been able to catch a whiff of nasty from a bad egg... Sniff them first.

 

[GC-Raptor]

If you don't know how old an egg is or how long it's been in the fridge, don't boil it. GC

 

[KatGold]

I'm curious about this. Typically, I use my oldest eggs for boiling. Sometimes, they're pretty dang old.

 

[aart]

Sometimes, they're pretty dang old.

How old is that, in weeks?
Do you wash them before refrigerating?
A decent flashlight, used in a dark room, can show any cracks that might lead to a 'rotten' egg.