Water Glassing Eggs for Long-Term Storage
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Are you looking for a method for preserving eggs in their whole raw form? If so, water glassing eggs is the most efficient long-term method available.
Water Glassing Eggs
As poultry keepers, there is one thing we can always count on: the drop in egg production between fall through early spring. We become frustrated about the lack of eggs available and wonder why we did not prepare for this season. Well, wonder no more! Learn the technique our great-grandparents used to store eggs before there were refrigerators, freezers, freeze-dryers, and dehydrators.
This method is known as “water glassing” eggs. Preserving eggs in this fashion allows farm-fresh eggs to be preserved whole in their rawest form, shell and all. Water glassing eggs allows the eggs to be consumed as if they were collected that same day.
Preserving eggs utilizing the water glassing method allows farm-fresh eggs to remain fresh between one year to 18 months. However, there are individuals who state their eggs remain edible for up to two years in the preserving liquid. The method of water glassing eggs has been practiced since the early 1800s. A popular 1886 cookbook publication, The Boston Cooking School Cookbook by Fannie Farmer, provided instructions on water glassing eggs in a lime solution as a means for preserving them long-term.
However, not all eggs can be preserved using the water glassing technique. This preserving technique is reserved for those who raise poultry or for individuals who have the opportunity to purchase farm fresh eggs.
Luckily, the steps for water glassing eggs are extremely easy, and you will be thankful for the ability and knowledge to preserve eggs when egg production was high. You will be especially thankful to have eggs during the winter months when egg production is low.
Water Glassing Eggs Long-Term
As previously mentioned, not all eggs will do. Eggs used for water glassing must be freshly laid and unwashed with the bloom intact. Unfortunately, market eggs have been washed, bleached, and more times than not, coated with mineral oil. The USDA requires egg cartons to be stamped with the package date, which consists of three numbers near the sell-by date. These numbers indicate the day of the year in which the eggs were packaged. However, the package date does not include the number of days between the egg being laid to the package date. With that said, the consumer can expect eggs to be many weeks old prior to purchasing them.
Eggs that are to be preserved long-term must not only be unwashed, they must also be very clean: free of dirt, debris, waste, or remnants of yolk, egg whites, or broken shell fragments. Do not attempt to wipe the eggs clean; this could remove the bloom. For best practices, select the cleanest eggs from the current day. Plan to add freshly collected eggs each day to the preserving bucket; this allows you to be selective with the eggs you preserve.
Preserving Bucket
Food grade buckets are ideal containers to use for water glassing eggs. Five-gallon buckets are popular, however, I find them to be difficult to work with. A three-gallon bucket will hold up to 80 eggs as well as the preserving liquid. Another means for calculating the desired bucket size: one quart of water glass will cover roughly 15 to 16 eggs. Keep in mind, three-gallon buckets can be easily moved, whereas a five-gallon buck is much heavier. Not to mention, withdrawing preserved eggs for use means reaching to the bottom of the bucket to pull older eggs first, making this task difficult in a five-gallon bucket. In addition to food-grade buckets, modern earthenware ceramic crocks are a popular choice.
Preserving Materials
Two types of material can be used to water glass eggs: sodium silicate and lime (calcium hydroxide). The type of lime to use is known as pickling lime, hydrated lime, and slaked lime. Both products are harsh on the skin and should be used cautiously; however, they both do an excellent job sealing the eggshell in order to preserve eggs long-term.
Sodium silicate is a food-grade chemical material and commonly used to seal concrete surfaces. Lime is a more natural substance and a lot more comfortable for people to use. For this recipe, we are going to use pickling lime which is found in the canning section of your local market.
Water
It is best to use water which is free of chlorine, fluoride, and high in minerals. Distilled water or natural spring water are the best options for water glassing eggs. If your city does add chlorine to the water, boil the water and allow it to cool completely before using it.
Equipment
Water Glassing Eggs: How-To
- 3-gallon food-grade bucket
Ingredients
- 5 ounces hydrated lime (pickling lime)
- 5 quarts distilled water or natural spring water
- fresh eggs, clean and unwashed
Instructions
- In a three-gallon bucket add an equal ratio of water to lime. Five quarts water to five ounces of lime provides enough room for the eggs to be submerged. Use the ratio of one quart of water to one ounce of lime regardless of the container size.
- Mix the pickling lime and water until completely dissolved.
- Next, gently add eggs to the liquid. Add pointy side downs allowing the air cells to remain at the tops of the eggs.
- Securely add the lid to the bucket to prevent the liquid from evaporating and the eggs from becoming exposed to air. Store the water glass eggs in a cool dark location, withdrawing eggs as needed, and wash well prior to using.
Pulling eggs from the bottom of the bucket allows you to use the oldest eggs first. However, pulling a small amount to be used within a few days saves from having to withdraw an egg each time you need one. Make sure to store these eggs in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Additional Methods for Preserving Eggs
In addition to water glassing eggs give the following four methods a try:
Pickled eggs will last for many months when stored properly in the refrigerator, whereas smoked eggs will last a few weeks. Eggs that are frozen or dehydrated will last up to one year when stored properly.
All four of these egg preservation methods are detailed in the book A Farm Girl’s Guide to Preserving the Harvest by Ann Accetta-Scott.
Originally published in the October/November 2020 issue of Backyard Poultry and regularly vetted for accuracy.
Can you use “Hydrated Lime Type S” ? I don’t know what ingredient is added to the hydrated lime to make it “hold air” as is indicated by it being Type S. Can anyone help me out?
Thanks, John C.
Hi John, there are so many different types of lime, and some are very caustic. I find it’s safer to strictly buy the pickling lime sold in canning departments rather than buying from hardware stores and accidentally getting the wrong kind.
Can I give back the egg shells to my chickens after water glassing the eggs
How long do u have to leave the eggs in the liquid?
Up to 18 months. Pull the eggs out as you use them.
Yes. It is hydrated lime. It has been slaked, and is not as reactive as lime, or “unslaked” lime. It IS pickling lime in a big bag. It is not really that dangerous (slightly caustic with a high ph), but is still very inexpensive. It is sold in big bags for masonry work. It will work just fine for glassing eggs. You can buy it in 50 pound bags for pennies on the pound and can therefore have plenty on hand for storage. My wife has used my supply for pickles for decades
How do you get the eggs to stand on the pointy end? I am definitely having trouble with that. Thanks in advance.
I could not get mine to do that either. Curious to see how anyone gets the point end to stay down.
Is there a way to test them, before eating them, to make sure they’re good?
Start by tipping your bucket on it’s side, lay the eggs pointy end down an gradually tip the bucket uprights you add more eggs. Once the bottom is lined with eggs then you place the rest pointy end down in layers on top.
Use a plastic egg tray. Put pointy end down. Stack eggs on top of first row with pointy end down. The weight of the eggs will keep plastic tray down. Eggs should not float.
I find it’s irrelevant how the eggs are laying in the hydrated lime. Don’t stress about it.
THE CONTAINER IS EMPTY point the pointed side down and lean each egg against the other continue in layers. Once you have your eggs in then pour the liquid.
I am excited to try this preservation method using my family’s farm fresh eggs and have only 1 question. If I collect eggs and put them in the fridge for a few days (without washing or rinsing them at all) will they still be good to preserve in pickling lime or do they need to be un-refrigerated?
From what I’m told (by my water glassing mentor) is that you should only use clean eggs (no poop) that have their natural bloom.
I have had no problem with fridged, unwashed eggs. Just pretend it was a cold morning collecting eggs. 🙂
When you have used all of the eggs out of the bucket can you re-use the same lime water to start a new batch of fresh eggs?
Hi Patricia, Ann-Accetta Scott says, “I would advise against reusing the hydrated (or pickling) lime water solution over again. For multiple reasons, it is best practice to create a fresh solution once the container has been emptied. This will ensure the solution is at its prime to safely preserve the eggs and also eliminates any dust, dirt, or contaminates from the solution which sat for a year.”
just did my first attempt. I thought the lime was dissolved and was a milky color. Got all my eggs in but the lime has settled on the bottom. Is this ok? Also what is the easiest way to keep the eggs pointy side down when putting into the bucket?
Hi Nancy, some separation will happen with the lime, and a layer on the bottom is normal. Regarding how to keep the eggs pointy side down: that would be a matter of arranging them within the liquid, using the sides and other eggs to keep them propped up.
Thanks for the reply. I have found that putting the eggs in first and then adding the solution works perfectly. Am anxious to see how they eat in a few month. I am using 1.25 gallon ice cream buckets (provided by a friend that works at a restaurant) that will store approx 25-28 eggs with 2 gallons of water/lime. When my production slows I should be able to pull a bucket at a time.
I like the smaller container idea. What a blessing from your friend!
I haven’t tried this yet, but I know I don’t care for pickled eggs at all!
I was thinking of gallon glass jars, but don’t know yet.I’m probably overthinking it!
Regards…
We put our eggs in the fridge then when we have enough eggs to fill the jar we make a batch. Is it ok to use our fresh unwashed refrigerated eggs?
Absolutely must be unwashed, unrefrigerated. I use ice cream buckets. Had 3 buckets full from the spring. Almost down to my last bucket. Will have to call my farmer. Oh, distilled water is best, not chlorine treated. Enjoy.
Is the bucket plastic? I have never done this,yet.
I have a layer on the bottom and snow caos on the eggs. I took them out and stirred more withtge same result. Is that ok or should Instir more? Thank you for all the info! My grandmother used to watergalss and I am just getting started.
Hi Marissa, you seem very knowledgeable with water glass eggs, I have a questions I hope you can help me with. I brought in the eggs I collected, put them in the sink and cover them with cold water to soak to remove dirt and stuck on feathers. However I did not wash them. My question is will the soaking in water remove the bloom or will they be ok to water glass them?
Linda, I wouldn’t use any that need any kind of cleaning. Choose only your cleanest eggs. Even soaking in water would count as washing I would think. Make sure your nest boxes are kept clean and collect your eggs as often as is feasible or practical. They should be naturally clean to the visual eye.
I think I know why the USDA considers glassing washing eggs these days is no longer safe. I live-in a big city Philadelphia, Pa. and its very hard if not impossible, to find farm fresh unwashed eggs. All eggs are commercial meaning washed and cleaned. So many who live-in large city’s do not have easy or close access to unwashed farm fresh eggs, consequently USDA may feel it is unsafe to waterglass eggs for that reason. For farmers or those exposed to buying unwashed fresh eggs it’s okay. Maybe someone can add to this information.
John, Turning 80 this year, love and eat eggs
almost every day, sometimes twice a day. I take no medication whatsoever, and I dobmean NO!!!
but I do restrick my meat proteins.
John Novak
how does glossing eggs actually preserve them for
so long a time.
Yes, the line does separate and end up on the bottom. That is ok. Also, I use a 5 gallon bucket and find it impossible to store pointy side down. They still turned out fine. I only need my eggs to last until the chicks and ducks start laying again about March so I don’t dig down and grab eggs off the bottom. I open the bucket, take what I need and don’t worry about it.
To keep eggs pointed down, I add solution to the container first, let the snow settle, and put the points of the first layer/outer ring into the settled lime. It helps the eggs balance.
How clean must the eggs be? Do they have to be perfectly clean, or is it OK if they have some slight smudges of dirt on them?
Stored my fresh eggs unwashed in a lg crock in the 1oz pickling salt to each qt water they where storage in the kitchen pantry they have a smell and have mold on top of the water please let me what I did wrong thank you
Hi, I believe where you went wrong was using pickling salt instead of pickling lime. The salt wouldn’t have lowered the acidity enough to keep the eggs good. Look for pickling lime instead.
Why do eggs have to point down
Don’t use pickling salt, use pickling lime or hydrated lime. Don’t eat eggs with mold on top.
Hi. I’m new to this. I had read at one point, that using kosher salt is acceptable in place of pickling salt?
I have watered glassed 4 dozen eggs that way.
Do not use pickling salt! You must use lime… hydrated lime, aka pickling lime or slaked lime. You can get a big bag at the hardware store for way cheaper per pound, but might not be food grade, and a big bag will last you forever (1oz by weight, which I believe is about 1 tablespoon, to one quart of water). I didn’t really have the space to store a 30lb or 50lb bag, and it’s a very fine, messy powder, so I just bought a 3 pack of pickling lime from Amazon. Much more convenient. I used 1gal and 2 gal glass jars. I didn’t like the idea of using large containers…think “putting all your eggs in one basket”…. in case an egg breaks or goes bad and taints the whole batch. I also prefer putting the eggs in first then filling with the liquid solution.
Not pickling “salt”. You need pickling “lime”
Maybe pickling salt and pickling lime are different?
Did you use pickling SALT? It isn’t the same as pickling LIME.
Two different chemicals.
I am wondering. Can I used a gallon glass jar with a flip lid?
Yes, the lid is used to keep dust out and slow evaporation.
One of the eggsin my jar broke open. Are the rest of the eggs okay?
I would like to know the answer to that same question.
That happened to me. I removed all the eggs, threw the liquid out and started over with the same eggs.
Were the eggs still good?. I had 4 eggs broke and I restarted them with fresh water and lime. This was today.
What about hard boiling after sitting in lime for a few months? I tried it and they all cracked.
I read somewhere else that you need to poke a hole in it to let steam out.
Same here.
i read you need to put a pin prick in top of egg before boiling. use a tack.
I read elsewhere that glassing eggs closes the pores, so when boiling, pressure builds and they crack. The solution is to poke a small hole in the shell before boiling. Haven’t tried this, but I would think it’s best not to poke through the membrane.
I noticed a few eggs are forming bubbles around the shell. Is this normal? thanks
How do I dispose of the water/hydrated lime after the bucket is empty?
I did a Google search and found that you can add baking soda to neutralize then add a clay kitty litter to absorb it, then let it sit for a few days to dry out. Once it’s dry you can toss it in the trash. I didn’t research the measurement im sure that info based on the amount you have to dispose of can be researched also.
Pour it down the sink. Not on the ground because it will burn grass.
I have eggs that have been stored in pickling lime water for about 6 months. This was my first experiment with waterglassing eggs. I used fresh eggs from my own chickens but I don’t remember if they were all laid that day when I put them into the lime water. They were certainly not more than a few days old. When I crack them open now, after just 6 months of storage, the whites are quite thin, as are the yolks. They’re fine for making scrambled eggs but I don’t think they would make very good fried eggs. I had them in a glass jar with a lid in a storage room – no sunlight, cool but not cold temperatures. Any ideas on why they didn’t seem to store well?
I saw someone demonstrate this method and test eggs after 6 months. As you said the egg contents are thin. She said they are ok as scrambled and taste the same as new ones but less the fluffiness. They were perfectly good for baking.
I have put eggs in th refrigerator while waiting for my lime to arrive can these be water glassed or no
Fresh farm eggs can sit on the counter for quite a long time without refrigeration. Store bought ones need to always be refrigerated.
I read on another site that you can’t use them if you have refrigerated them. Possibly due to condensation on the egg that equates to washing or removing some of the bloom?
I used first Saturday lime. Clean eggs. Fresh eggs. I have mold on top of the water. Are the eggs in there still good? Every container I have water glasses aside from the last 3 months has mold.
Someone asked about using First Saturday Lime for Glassing Eggs on FSLs Instagram page, and they replied that it was the wrong kind of lime.
Also, make sure you do not wash the eggs first. That will destroy the bloom protection.
You can’t use Saturday lime. It’s not water soluble. It has to be hydrated lime which can also go by calcium something?? (You can look it up) and is also called pickling lime but pickling lime is expensive in the canning aisle. I found straight hydrated lime at my local farm store. It’s also hydrated lime-s. Check ingredients and make sure hydrated lime is the only ingredient.
I wonder if there was unseen contamination?
Thanks for this informative article! I’ve been preserving my goose eggs this way this year, so far so good. Today I pulled a broken one and didn’t know if it would affect the others so I made a new solution. While transfering the eggs I realized I was also inadvertently rotating the stock so now I’ll be using the older eggs first. I’d like to know if anyone knows about proper disposal of the old solution as asked above.
Is it safe to use the crushed shells of eggs that have been waterglassed as a calcium supplement for your chickens?
Great question! I dry my used eggshells and grind them to a powder for gardening (Ca fertilizer) (and sometimes also use when I make coffee to #smooth out the acidity) I wonder if this is still a good idea when they’ve been water glassed??
I bought high calcium hydrated lime at the hardware store. Is that correct to use?
I’d like to know this too!
I’ve never heard of this, but when it comes to food, I’ll
try anything… I’m a retired Executive Chef.
Planning on moving onto a sailboat.
Having eggs available without refrigeration sounds perfect.
My question is this :
How soon after putting the eggs into the lime water will they ready to eat??
They are fine to eat immediately. This does nothing to the egg except to help preserve it, just be sure to wash the eggs before using to remove the lime.
If I pull from the bottom of the bucket how do I know the next time that I am gona get the oldest when I pull because of the eggs that fell down to replace the eggs that I pulled?
Your overthinking it. Just eat the eggs.
Also would like to know how to dispose of the water. We are on septic, so I don’t think I should pour it down the drain.
I have duck eggs which mean they are not to clean, but rather soiled with dirt. I scraped them with with a knife as best I could. Will I also destroy the bloom? I’m going to try them anyway and see what happens.
I have 77 eggs in my waterglassing collection.
I smell the container each time for peace of mind.
I found an egg dated 6/30.
I’ve put 12 in since. I remember dropping one from a short distance.
Last added was 9/8
Today the water smells…I found, on top, what looks like a soft boiled egg…cracked.
I removed it.
Today is the first smelly day.
Will the rest, as long as they were settled quietly, be ok?
Can they be rinsed and put in new water solution?
Please lmk
I love this method. Can’t wait to try it. Strange but probably the best way to store fresh eggs longer.
Hi!
Above it says that you should boil the glassing water to remove fluoride. This is actually not true (do a quick google search) and will probably actually make your water more concentrated with fluoride than it was originally.
Maybe just use distilled water from the getgo!
I think was referring to removing chlorine, not fluoride,But I agree, it seems like it’s best to go with distilled water
Can you mark your fresh eggs Is to be water glass with a number 2 Pencil. Also I was trying to find the right kind of lime to use and I have eggs that are 4 days old on my counter never been in the fridge or wiped clean. We use sand so our eggs are always clean. I clean every day. Only 6 chickens.. They are a year and a 1/2 old
Once fresh eggs are refrigerated, not washed, can they be waterglassed?
We have the same question. Thx
Hi, I have been collecting clean unwashed eggs on my counter for about 3 weeks.
Are these to old to use?
I always check the freshness of eggs I’m using by placing them in a container of water. If they stay on their side under the water, they’re good. Older eggs will start to build up gases inside and eventually cause them to float. Don’t use floating eggs.
Are you saying you can put the eggs in water to do this test and that does not destroy bloom? I didn’t think you could water glass eggs that had been rinsed that way. I’m new at this so very curious.
You can do the float test when you set them in the lime water, I wouldn’t do it ahead of time.
Hi. Here in the UK I used to keep hens back in the 60’s and for preserving eggs used to use ‘ Water Glass ‘ a defunct process. A different method to this! ‘Water Glass’ is an industrial chemical compound / trademark and available in different strengths for different purposes. It can / could be purchased from a Chemist shop ( Pharmacy ) but be sure to purchase Food grade or you may need a hacksaw. It can be diluted with hot water and cooled to dip and left to dry ‘clean eggs’ which you may need to ‘touch in’. Never wash eggs! clean dirt patches of with a light scraper or dry brush. Before boiling pierce the fat end with a deicent size pin!
‘Ps’ don’t forget to candle them!
If they’re laid that day is within a couple days, why in the world would you need to candle them???
Candling eggs will show cracks that your eyes can’t see. If there is blood spots too.
Hi. Here in the UK I used to keep hens back in the 60’s and for preserving eggs used to use ‘ Water Glass ‘ a defunct process. A different method to this! ‘Water Glass’ is an industrial chemical compound / trademark and available in different strengths for different purposes. It can / could be purchased from a Chemist shop ( Pharmacy ) but be sure to purchase Food grade or you may need a hacksaw. It can be diluted with hot water and cooled to dip and left to dry ‘clean eggs’ which you may need to ‘touch in’. Never wash eggs! clean dirt patches of with a light scraper or dry brush. Before boiling pierce the fat end with a deicent size pin! ‘Ps’ don’t forget to candle!
Do I need to water glass eggs immediately or can I wait until I collect a dozen or more?
Also, can I refrigerate eggs with their blooms on them before water glassing them?
Once you refrigerate Eggs, they have to stay refrigerated. I was also saving eggs to waterglass. I was told
If they float they are too old to waterglass. all of mine floated!!? So what’s a general time frame that’s acceptable to hold them? ? Ty
This confuses me! Fresh eggs don’t float. They float when they start to deteriorate inside and gases collect in the egg shell. I’ve used the float test for many years with eggs from the store or from the farm. Do you think you may have collected eggs that were laid some time ago and missed?
If you do the water test, that’s like washing them and they can’t be water glassed. But if they float when you put them in the lime water I suppose that’s the test. I have been able to keep eggs for two months before they float so I’m surprised you’re fresh eggs all floated.
Can you water glass eggs that have a little dirt on them or do the have to be perfectly clean?
Can I make pickled eggs with eggs that have been water glassed for several months.
Can I use 40% sodium silicate solution?
Sodium silicate is a more commercial and less “organic”
Product than hydrated lime.
But yes, it CAN be used for water glassing eggs. But I don’t know if the ratio is the same. ☺️
He said to use pickling Lime not salt
Do you know why the USDA no longer considers this a safe method? I would like to water glass my extra eggs (for home use only; I would never gift or sell water-glassed eggs), but have been having a hard time finding any recent official or scientific information on current safety understanding.
The USDA current info says it’s an old technique and doesn’t include it as a viable method, and the USDA flier promoting it is from the 1940s. An extension Q&A says the USDA no longer considers it safe, but doesn’t say why (https COLONSLASHSLASH ask2.extension DOT org/kb/faq.php?id=754883)
If their only concern is that the quality of the white and yolk get a little watery, I’d go ahead and do it. If there is a reason they have found it is unsafe (ingestion of highly alkaline liquid, or possibility of contamination) then I would skip this method.
Did you find any recent information to verify that this method is food safe?
Thanks in advance for any information!
Not sure, but I asked them. I was coming here to ask where in the book they referenced this was, but this might explain her potentially removing it. I’m going to jot this info down in her book regardless, it seems good to have just in case. If they answer my question I’ll try to come back to post it.
Water glassed fresh farm eggs which I purchased. I had to gently use a paper towel to remove the poop, so much. Eggs shells felt very hard! Hope I did not compromise!
Hi! I tried water glassing eggs for the first time this year, and now am not sure if I was successful. I have seen that they look like regular fresh eggs when you crack them open, but mine are entirely liquid. I tried several, from both buckets, but they’re all the same. 🙁 how do I know if a water glasses egg is bad?
I glassed many eggs this year, in two buckets. I recently pulled an egg that was cracked and the glassed water smelled. Are the other eggs safe to use? Or should I discard them? I haven’t been able to find info specific to this problem.
I have the same problem, did you get an answer to your question?
My Mum used to water glass our fresh eggs, sink them in clarified dripping when it was almost set in Sunshine powered milk tins and ship them off to England (from Tasmania) in the 1940s. My Aunt. then used the eggs and the dripping. I was around 4 years old and I remember well sitting at the kitchen table helping Mum do this.
What is the longest period of time fresh eggs can sit on the counter before water glassing? Also some of mine have a tiny smear of dirt or a tiny smear of what appears to be blood. Are these safe to use if it can be taken off without washing??
What does the water look like at 6 months or even a year? I have a bucket. I’m at 1 yr 2 months and was considering dehydrating as I didn’t eat as much as I thought. NOBODY will share what their jars or container water looks like after initially adding the water pickling lime.
How long can you keep fresh eggs before water glassing? Our store is out of lime and I’m wondering how long I have to get them in the bucket? Thanks
Same question how long can I wait to water bath my fresh eggs ? 3-4 day ok or not ?
Lots of good questions here, if only there were answers as well.
I am saving unwashed eggs for a customer who is going to try water glassing. How often does she need to pick up eggs to add to her glassing solution?
I saw other posts that said, once an egg is refrigerated it can’t be glassed, is that correct?
Is the plastic buckets better than using gallon glass jars? If yes is it because of light filtering in? If yes, can you cover the outside of the jar & it’d be the same as a bucket?
A lot of questions. Thank you for your help.
I’ve been doing this for my second year! I’m wondering how long the eggs will stay fresh once taken out of the brine and washed and stored in fridge? I can’t seem to find my answer in this thread! Does anyone have an answer?
Our local farmer can supply bulk eggs tgat are unwashed but they must be individually stamped (by law) in order to leave the farm. Can stamped eggs still be water glassed?
I sell eggs & I have a customer that is going to glass some eggs. She got a 5 gal buckets for this.
My question is, could I do a few eggs for her each day in a gal or 1/2 gal jar and then she could transfer to her 5 gal jug & return my smaller jars?
Didn’t research enough & used tap water to water glass my eggs. What is the outcome I should expect from tap water use instead of distilled water
I’ve read that city water (chlorinated) can’t be used because of the added chemicals. Well water is fine to use straight from the faucet.
I am excited to try this preservation method using my family’s farm fresh eggs and have only 1 question. If I collect eggs and put them in the fridge for a few days (without washing or rinsing them at all) will they still be good to preserve in pickling lime or do they need to be un-refrigerated?
Hello,
I want to water glass my duck eggs. Can I use any glass container with a lid? Does the lid need to be air tight?
Thanks
Does not need to be Air tight. Keeps dust out and slows the liquid from evaporating.
My question is about fertilized eggs. Our eggs will be “glassed” ina dark pantry at room temperature. Is it ok to use fertilized eggs?
I opened my 5 gal glassing bucket that im added eggs to and noticed a cracked egg and slight order. Do i dump the bucket, wash the bucket and start with fresh lime solution amd add the eggs back in? Or is it okay to just remove the cracked egg feom the bucket?
Thank you!
I have one question that I think should be answered. It says to user eggs that are “clean and unwashed” can you be clear what that means? Nearly all eggs have poo on them, can I use water to clean them, dry clean them or something else? Or do I have to avoid dirty eggs? Seems like a real waste to do that.
I was in my basement cold room when I noticed in one of my gallon jars of water glassed eggs was different than the others. The water was milkier in color and a yellow sediment was layered on the top of the lime. Is this common or could I have a broken egg? Is the whole jar contaminated? Ty
I put my eggs in vinegar instead of water and pickling lime, can I still waterglass them r toss them.
Use immediately or toss them would be my suggestion, though they might stay in the fridge. Float test before using if you keep them. Vinegar dissolves egg shells fairly quickly.
Please can the eggs be one week old with bloom intact and still be water glassed? Thank you.
Yes
I purchased Mrs wages pickling lime it does not say hydrated on the package. Do we store them in the containers in a pantry shelf? I’m new to this also. Thank you
There are some really great questions asked above and it would be awesome if we could get your answers! Thank you
Trying for the first time the water glassing eggs
Took them straight from the hens, put them in a glass container on my counter top, I used 1 gallon distilled water and 4tablespoons of pickled lime. Most eggs where clean, I wiped down with a clothes some dirt of.. and scraped some poop off…
I wonder if they are going to be good???.. I read that the eggs needs to be refrigerated once they are in the water solution???
Also the 3 gallons bucket you mentioned.. does it need to be food grade??
How long will eggs last after I pull them out of the solution? Can I take out enough eggs for a week or two? Do they have to be refrigerated after glassing or are they still good on the counter?
I started water glassing about a year and a half ago. I was over run with eggs and all the people that said they wanted eggs, all of a sudden didn’t want them. I got some hydrated lime from my neighbor who works for the road department. Made the solution. I kept adding eggs. Sorry to say, I didn’t put the pointy end down. I couldn’t figure how to keep them that way. I used a 3 gallon food grade bucket. Kept it under the stairs. Since I eat fresh eggs daily, I just kept adding to the bucket and more lime water. When I got ambitious, I made an egg casserole with about 24-28 eggs at a time. With veggies, cheese etc. Then I made freezer bag portions to eat. I just used the last ones. They were at least a year ahead a half old. I tested them in water and they were all good. Then I broke them in a separate bowl to be sure. Made a big casserole. Tastes great. I did find a few at the bottom of the bucket that had cracked. They were like hard boiled. They got thrown away. When my girls start producing again, I will definitely use this again. Not sure what to do with the water. I might pour it where I have a lot of weeds and see if it kills them. I would say to be careful reaching in the bucket to the bottom because you can crack the eggs.
I have farm fresh eggs that are unwashed but were put in the refrigerator . We could not get pickling lime local and had to order it from Amazon. Can these eggs still be water glasses?
Hi Janice,
We don’t recommend waterglassing any eggs that have been refrigerated, washed or unwashed. The bloom on the eggs needs to be fresh, and not chilled (this sounds like a cocktail…)
Backyard Poultry
Does the lime really dissolve? You say above in the directions: “Mix the pickling lime and water until completely dissolved”. I’m using Mrs. Wages pickling lime (calcium hydroxide) [it doesn’t say it’s hydrated, but the warning label about hydrated lime implies it is.] I shook and shook the quart jar and got a milky colored solution that never turned clear. I covered the eggs in a 2-gal jar with 3 qts of this solution. This morning the solution is fairly clear, but there is a 3/4″ layer of lime in the bottom of the jar. This implies the lime was just in suspension and not really dissolved. Am I doing something wrong or does the lime not really dissolve?
Ed,
Calcium hydroxide (pickling lime) does dissolve in water; cold water is better. But it may not all dissolve and will settle to the bottom of the container. Having some settle doesn’t hurt the eggs, or mean that they aren’t pickling.
Backyard Poultry
I’m curious as to what the temp can be for the water glassed eggs? I live in a 1900’s home and I have different temps around my home.(radiator heaters through out the home with the exception of the pantry and half of the basement. (Other half has the boiler for heat) . The pantry is a little chily(colder on single digit days) same with one half of the basement. The rest of the home is comfortable. Thanks in advance for response.
Thanks for the question. The general advice is “a cool, dark place”. Cool means 40-65 degrees. In a cabinet or cupboard is best to avoid sunlight.
-Backyard Poultry
Hi, I have eggs in the lime water solution now but am running into having too much solution in the container. I’d like to remove some of the solution so I can add more eggs. Will this create too much of an imbalance of water to lime? The solution is clear and lots of the lime has settled onto the bottom of the container on top of the eggs. Thanks!