How tough is the bloom?

[1dzn4brkfst]

I'm currently one who does not wash eggs (except dirty ones). Those that have not been washed are stored at room temperature for up to several days, relying on the bloom to keep them sealed.
My question: how easily is the bloom compromised? I would understand that unwashed eggs that have once been refrigerated should remain refrigerated, lest they sweat and the bloom fail. If a little moisture on the surface of the egg destroys the bloom, what about a little sweat on my hands when I gather eggs on a hot day? If while carrying eggs inside, I feel a drip of rain hit my head, should I refrigerate all of the eggs just in case an egg was also hit by a drip of rain and the bloom destroyed? Under what circumstances do those who don't usually refrigerate eggs refrigerate an unwashed egg?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, you ask some great questions.

While eggs do remain safe at room temperature they actually decline in quality mush faster than refrigerated eggs. I once read a report that said 1 day on the counter was equal to 7 in the fridge. By decline in quality, I mean the egg yolk may be less tall and less firm, breaking easier when you flip them. The white may be runnier. The air cell will grow faster and can be an indicator of age.

For this reason in addition to my own experience verifying the same *approximate* effect, I refrigerate any eggs that will not be used within a day or two (personal preference many folks go longer), upon collection unwashed... always making sure to rotate out older stock first. I have used eggs after 6 months that were still as good if not better than store bought. If I needed to wash them I just use them first.

I have also used eggs unrefrigerated for about 30 days and a severe amount of evaporation had taken place essentially making what was there thick and kinda stuck to the shell... hence the reason hatchers only store for a short period of time around 60 degrees and turning them until setting to incubate.

I just dry off any drips before refrigeration and try to avoid them mostly.

Myself, nor anyone who uses my (clean) eggs ever washes them before use. No one has been sick.

When I did have that 30+ day pile of eggs... the only ones that got rotten were ones that actually broke or cracked and were exposed to air. The whole eggs, even if they had fecal smears, were perfectly intact inside still with no evidence of spoilage or rotting. The animals who were fed the old eggs scrambled... didn't complain about them being dry either.

I hope this information helps to answer some of your questions. There is no perfect and right way to do everything. While my room temperature is only 60 degrees here, other locations I lived were closer to 78+. So personal conditions is always a factor. I love that your looking for details!

 

[aart]

how easily is the bloom compromised?

There's no real way to tell.
I've noticed when washing eggs I can feel the amount of bloom with my hands and some have much more than others.

@EggSighted4Life gave a good overview as far as safety.
I too just avoid getting them wet when gathering or storing.
Have put the egg basket in a lidded bucket to bring from coop to house if it's raining hard enough.

Here's my egg washing notes/beliefs:
I don't wash eggs unless they are very dirty, then will refrigerate or use immediately because thorough washing will remove all the protective bloom(cuticle).

Eggs should be washed in 'water warmer than the egg'.
Simple physics, using colder water will cause the egg contents to contract, causing any 'germs' on exterior surface of egg shell to be pulled into the interior of egg thru the shell pores. Using warmer water will do the opposite.

I don't use any soap or other cleaning/sanitizing agent, just rotate in my hands to 'scrub' all surfaces area of egg shell. Then I air and towel dry before placing in the fridge.

If you are washing eggs for sale to the general public, other requirements may apply, so check your state regulations.