Preserving eggs in lime water is really easy!
As an old-fashion skill, it will serve you well on your homestead journey.
It’s a common practice in my homestead as well when there’s a huge production.
If you want to use your homegrown eggs throughout the year, there’s no best option than this.
And if you want to know how to do it, scroll down!
I’ll also share with you some useful tips on how to preserve eggs safely.
What Is The Best Way To Preserve Eggs?
Soaking eggs in lime water is the best way to preserve eggs. This method dates centuries back and still is quite popular among homesteaders. The best part is that it doesn’t require any refrigerator to preserve eggs for a long time.
As a homesteader, you’ll know that egg production isn’t the same throughout the year. Sometimes, the production is higher than the demand and vice versa. So, it’s important that you store the eggs safely for a year-long supply.
From spring to summer, egg production stays quite strong. During this time, it might not be possible for you to bake regularly. But, in fall and winter, when the product is very low, it’s Christmas and the ideal time to bake.
For all the above reasons, it’s quite important to know what is the best way to preserve eggs. Traditionally, there are more than 30 ways, but, storing in lime water is the best one. So, let’s explore how to do it properly.
Egg Preservation Methods
Preserving eggs in lime water is the best method and I’ll start with it first. Then, I’ll also share some other preservation methods as well.
Water Glassing Eggs
For this method, you need hydrated/ pickling lime, distilled/ filtered room temperature water, and a food-grade glass container.
First, you need to fill the container with 4 cups of water. Then, add and mix about 30 grams of hydrated or pickling lime with it. Finally, place the unwashed eggs carefully in the container and close the lid.
The method is quite simple and won’t take more than 5 minutes. For storing, you don’t need a basement or a root cellar. A cool and dark place that’s also less humid will be perfect for preserving the eggs.
When you’re in the mood to use the eggs, take them out from the solution. Make sure that you rinse the eggs really well. Otherwise, consuming hydrated salt can lead to digestive issues and even food poisoning.
Refrigerating Eggs
If you want to preserve store-bought eggs, refrigerating them will be the best choice. That’s because these eggs are already washed and won’t preserve well by water glassing.
Keeping Eggs in Basement
The basement of your house is the coolest place, which is apt for storing eggs. You can keep eggs in your basement for a couple of weeks or more than that.
Freezing Cooked Eggs
You can easily preserve boiled eggs by freezing them. You can also fry the eggs or make scrambles if you want to use them in sandwiches.
Can You Store Fresh Eggs In Lime Water?
Yes, you can absolutely store fresh eggs in lime water. But, it’s better to use pickling lime or hydrated lime for this method. You can find these packaged limes online or in your nearest Home Depot.
One more important thing to note is that you need room temperature water for this method. Neither hot water nor too cold water is suitable for lime water egg preservation. You can also use distilled or filtered water.
Unwashed eggs are suitable for long-term preservation in lime water. And the ideal temperature for this preservation method is 50 degrees. To prevent further contamination, you can use oil or ash to seal the eggshells.
What Kind Of Lime Do You Use For Preserving Eggs?
As mentioned above, you can either choose hydrated lime or pickling lime for preserving eggs. Slaked lime is another good option in case you’re unable to find the above two types. The main reason for using these limes is better coating or sealing of the eggshells.
Hydrated and pickling limes are a bit harsh against the skin owing to their physical compound. So, you need to be very careful while using these limes. You can wear rubber gloves for better protection of your hands.
Now, you already know which limes are the most suitable for preserving eggs. But, how does hydrated lime preserve eggs? And, is hydrated and pickling lime the same?
Let us find out all these answers quickly!
How Does Hydrated Lime Preserve Eggs?
Hydrated lime refers to calcium hydroxide, which differs from regular lime or calcium oxide. The lime is more alkaline and so, it provides an optimum coating to the eggshells.
Due to the sealing, the eggshells can retain the eggs inside for a long.
Hydrated lime can eliminate the spoiling bacteria from your eggs. Moreover, it can still retain the lactic acid bacteria, also known as healthy bacteria. As a result, eggs get a better shelf life and remain fresh for a long.
Is Hydrated Lime And Pickling Lime The Same?
No, hydrated lime and pickling lime aren’t the same, though they are similar. Both limes come in powder form and can preserve eggs well. But, while hydrated lime is calcium hydroxide, pickling lime is calcium oxide.
Hydrated lime is produced by heating limestone. On the other hand, pickling lime is produced by treating hydrated lime with water and heat. As a result, it changes its form and turns into calcium oxide.
Pickling lime is also known as quicklime. Due to its huge demand for canning, it’s available online or in local stores. You’ll also find hydrated lime everywhere as it’s also an excellent option to preserve eggs.
Preserving eggs in lime water requires hydrated or pickling lime. But, do you know how long eggs can last in lime water? Well, just scroll down to know it!
How Long Will Eggs Last In Lime Water?
Eggs can last from 12 to 18 months if you preserve them properly in lime water. The hazy brine of water and hydrated or pickling lime can retain the freshness of eggs. You will get unspoiled, fresh eggs by water glassing them in this solution.
But, how long eggs will last may depend on various factors. Here are some important factors that you need to check while water glassing eggs:
- The temperature where you’ll preserve the eggs should be 50 degrees.
- You need to use room temperature water that’s distilled or filtered.
- A glass jar with a solid lid is the best option for water-glassing eggs.
- Make sure you don’t wash the eggs before water glassing them.
- You can also use ash or oil to coat the eggshells before preserving them.
How Did They Preserve Eggs In The Old Days?
Well, there were various techniques for preserving eggs in the olden days. But, water glassing eggs or preserving eggs in lime water was still prevalent in those days. The main ingredient for water glassing was sodium silicate.
Another popular method was to keep eggs in a cool, dark, and less humid environment. The ideal temperature for this method is below 50 degrees with a humidity of less than 75 percent. But, this method can only store eggs for a few weeks.
Is Water Glassing Eggs Safe?
Water-glassing eggs is an absolutely safe method. It does no harm to the eggs and their quality. You can try it at home with no worry about toxication.
But, you need to wash the eggs well before using them after preservation. Though hydrated salt is safe for your eggs, it’s not good to ingest. And to stay safe, you can also check whether any of your eggs have cracks.
And, since hydrated or pickling salt is quite harsh, you can wear a pair of gloves. Touching them directly can make your skin rough. I prefer taking a precaution by wearing rubber gloves, which you can also try.
Water Glassing Eggs Botulism
Water-glassing egg is a safe method but there’s a chance of botulism.
In case you don’t know, botulism is food poisoning that occurs when you consume improperly tinned food or preserved food. Sterilization is very important and the lack of it can cause botulism.
For all the above reasons, you need to wash the water-glassed eggs very carefully before consuming them.
If you find any cracks in the eggs, it’s better to discard them. Otherwise, you’ll be safe from botulism or food poisoning.
Water Glassing Eggs Safety
I’ve already pointed out the precautions that you need to take before and after water glassing eggs.
Wearing gloves, using unwashed eggs, and washing preserved eggs after preservation are a must.
If you follow all these tips, you can safely preserve eggs in lime water.
Conclusion
Preserving eggs in lime water is easier than you thought.
All you need is hydrated or pickling lime, room temperature water, and a glass jar to get started.
If you can preserve them properly, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh eggs all year long.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Homestead Lifestyle Board!!
