Looking for the best water glassing eggs recipe?
Then, you’ve come to the right page!
I have been following this method for years to preserve my homestead-grown eggs for months.
The method is really simple and easy without demanding any fancy ingredients.
In my homestead, there’s a huge production during summer, which I need to store for winter.
And I found water glassing to be the best method ever for preserving the eggs without any worry.
But, is water glassing a safe method? What are the things that you need to ensure while trying this method? And how to detect bad eggs before eating them?
I’ve answered all these questions below so that you get a complete idea of this process.
So, just scroll down for all such info and try my simple recipe!
I’m sure you’ll be happy to see the result.
What is water glassing eggs?
Water-glassing eggs refers to the method of preserving farm-fresh eggs by immersing them in an emulsion made of filtered water and pickling lime.
It’s an effective and easy process of preserving eggs for many months. The quality of eggs remains intact if the emulsion is made correctly and other parameters are maintained.
How to water glass eggs?
Waterglassing eggs is one of the easiest kitchen hacks to try when you want to preserve eggs for longer. I follow this method when I have excess production in the homestead.
Below, I’ll share my own recipe for water-glassing eggs with lime, which you must give a try.
Water Glassing Eggs Recipe
Pickling lime is the main ingredient besides filtered water in this recipe.
Pickling lime for water glassing eggs is easily available online in various designs.
It’s also known as hydrated lime, slacked lime, and sodium silicate.
Tools You Need
- A large bowl
- A spoon
- Waterglass jar/ mason jar
Ingredients
- Fresh, unwashed eggs
- Pickling lime: 1 ounce
- Filtered water: 1 quart
Method
- First, you need to check the eggs for cracks or damage and debris. Then, you need to set aside the clean ones without debris and damage. But, make sure that you don’t wash the eggs to clean them as that will wash off the protective coating.
- Then, add the pickling lime to the filtered water in a clean large bowl and mix well. Once done, you can place the eggs inside the jar but be very careful to avoid cracks. Next, it’s time to pour the solution over the eggs and fasten the lid tightly.
- You need to label the jar with the date so that you can keep a track of the storage date. Your water-glassed eggs are now ready for storing in a dry, cool place. Whenever you want to use the eggs, take them out from the jar and wash the eggs well before use.
Notes
- Water-glassing eggs in mason jars is the best way to preserve them for months without worry.
- Depending on the size of your water glass jar, you can add more or less water and pickling lime.
- While pouring the solution, make sure that all the eggs submerge totally below the water level.
- You can also use a plastic container with an airtight lid for this recipe but it needs to be food-grade.
- Removing the excess lime solution by washing is really important before using water-glassed eggs.
- You don’t need to use all the eggs at a time but make sure you tighten the jar lid well every time.
- Though the eggs will be edible for up to 2 years, make sure you check the freshness and quality.
Is water glassing eggs safe?
Yes, water glassing eggs is a conventional method and it’s totally safe. Many homesteaders from across the world use this method and they find it perfect for storing excess production. But, the FDA hasn’t approved this method yet.
Botulism is the worst health problem caused by consuming rotten eggs. Clostridium botulinum is the bacterium that may be present in water glassed eggs, causing this issue. For this reason, you need to check the freshness of the eggs before eating.
Yet, water glassing egg safety totally depends on how well you can follow the recipe. If everything goes well, there are fewer chances of any health issues.
Water glassing eggs history
The history of water glassing eggs is really interesting.
It started probably around the 18th century as a part of kitchen hacks. In The Boston Cooking School Cookbook published by Fannie Farmer, the method of soaking eggs in lime water was first mentioned.
The main ingredient used for this solution was sodium silicate. Preserving extra eggs has been a real concern for homesteaders when there was excess production.
This method mentioned in The Boston Cooking School Cookbook became outrightly famous.
What do you need for water glassing eggs?
For water glassing eggs, you need very few tools that are easily available.
You can look for water glassing jars for eggs that are food-grade. Also, look for pickling lime for water glassing eggs. While there are so many options, I prefer using organic pickling lime for water glassing eggs.
I’m sure you’ll find a water glassing eggs book that has more comprehensive detail about this method. From a book, I found a food grade lime for water glassing eggs that I’ll suggest to you.
And you can also buy water glassing kit for eggs that contain everything in a single package.
Do water glassed eggs taste different?
Absolutely not, the taste of water-glassed eggs is exactly like the farm-fresh eggs. That’s the best thing about this unique method of preserving eggs for longer. In fact, water-glassed eggs taste better than frozen or dehydrated eggs as the texture remains unchanged.
But, if you get any pungent taste or smell from your water-glassed eggs, probably the eggs are rotten. Due to the wrong preserving method or any other reason, the lime solution flavor might get into the eggs. You need to discard them immediately as consuming these eggs won’t be safe.
What do water glassed eggs taste like?
Water-glassed eggs taste no different than those fresh eggs.
The taste is so similar that you may not even be able to tell whether you’re eating farm-fresh or water glassed eggs.
Water glassing doesn’t alter the texture of the eggs and that’s why they taste exactly the same.
Can you use store-bought eggs for water glassing?
No, as a general rule, water glassing isn’t possible with store-bought eggs.
Right before eggs arrive at stores, they are washed and cleaned, which affects the bloom coating. Some stores also bleach the eggshells for a clean, white appearance.
Can you use tap water to waterglass eggs?
I won’t suggest you use tap water to water glass eggs.
That’s because tap water usually contains some amount of fluoride or chlorine, which makes it unsuitable for waterglassing eggs. You can still use well water but tap water is a no.
Filtered water with a lot of minerals is the best solution for waterglassing eggs. Filtration is a process that reduces chlorine, fluoride, or any other element unsuitable for waterglassing.
In case you have only tap water, you can boil it and let it cool before waterglassing.
Should an egg float or sink in a glass of water?
An egg should always sink in a glass of water.
It happens because the egg’s density is always higher than the water’s density.
But, if you place an egg in a glass of water and it floats, chances are there that the egg has gone bad.
Do water glassed eggs smell?
No, water glassed eggs shouldn’t have any kind of bad smell.
If you are getting any smell, it means the process wasn’t done properly. Washing the eggs before waterglassing or using unclean utensils and jars can lead to a foul smell of the eggs.
Can you eat eggs 2 months out of date?
That totally depends on the storage conditions of the egg. Eggs come with 3-5 weeks of average shelf life but that can vary depending on multiple factors.
For example, if you store eggs in the refrigerator or water glass them properly, they will be free of contamination and safe for consumption even after 2 months.
Can you eat a 3 weeks old egg?
Yes, a 3-week-old egg will be safe for consumption if you preserve it correctly. Wrong preservation methods can lead to contamination, making the eggs unsafe.
So, the best thing would be to check if the eggs have gone bad before you take a bite.
Can you eat eggs that tilt up in the water?
Eggs that tilt up in water have their air cells enlarged because of declination. Old eggs usually tilt up in the water, signifying they are bad and unsafe for consumption.
But, it can be also possible that the eggs are old but still safe for eating, which you can check by smelling them.
How can you tell if water glassed eggs are bad?
There are multiple ways of checking if water glass eggs are bad. I’m explaining these simple methods, which you can easily try at home.
- You need to fill a glass with water and then submerge the water glassed eggs. If they float instead of sinking at the bottom, it’s a sign of decay.
- You can crack the eggs in a bowl and take a smell. If the smell is pungent and bad, you should discard them because they have gone bad.
- If you notice any mold or crack around the eggshell, you need to reconsider using them as they might have gone bad and are unsafe.
- Another method is to shake the eggs and listen to the sound carefully. If there’s a sloshing sound of the liquid, the eggs aren’t fresh.
What is the best container for water glassing eggs?
Glass containers with food-grade and airtight lids are the best for water glassing eggs.
The size of the container will totally depend on how many eggs you want to preserve. A three-gallon container will fit about 70-80 eggs but if you want a bigger space, you can go for a five-gallon container.
There are so many options when it comes to choosing glass jars for water glassing eggs. You can choose any design or brand that suits your needs and preferences.
But, while selecting water glassing container for eggs, make sure you check the food grade.
Can you use olive oil to preserve eggs?
Yes, coating eggs with olive oil is a method that many homesteaders prefer to preserve excess production for 4-5 months.
It’s a very easy method to try because all you need is some olive oil and a refrigerator. You need to grease your hands with olive oil, coat the washed eggs with it, remove the excess oil with a kitchen towel, and then keep it in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Water glassing eggs is the best method I rely on for securing a longer shelf life for my homestead-grown fresh eggs.
Now that you know the method isn’t fancy at all, go ahead and try it yourself!
Just follow my recipe and make sure you get the right ingredients and tools.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Homestead Lifestyle Board!!
