how do you tell if an egg is ok to eat?.....is it when they float or when they sink?

Answer 1

A good egg should sink. It might bob a bit if the water is shallow, but it will sink.

A bad egg MAY float. It can do this if air has penetrated the shell somehow, thus making it light enough to float. However, other things may cause the egg to be bad as well, i.e. salmonella or the fact that it has been fertilised and in these instances it will still sink.

Answer 2

If the egg lies on its side on the bottom, the air cell within is small and it's very fresh.

If the egg stands up and bobs on the bottom, the air cell is larger and it isn't quite as fresh

If the egg floats on the surface, it it should be discarded.

Also: A very fresh egg out of the shell will have an overall thick white which doesn't spread much and the yolk will stand up.

Grade AA eggs are the highest grade available. They cost more than other grades, but may be a good choice because of their high quality and longer shelf life.

Answer 3

How to tell if an egg is fresh




This is a bit like witches.
Put the egg, still in its shell, in a glass of water.
If the egg sinks then it is still fresh and can be used.
If it floats it's "off" and should be thrown away.
If it finds an equilibrium somewhere in the middle then you take your own chance.

Answer 4

as a chicken breeder and egg seller they should definatley sink... as an egg gets older the air sack ( u no the dimpled bit when u peel a hard boiled one at the round end ) gets bigger with age and makes it float this is because as the egg gets older it loses its moisture through its shell ( osmosis springs to mind ) normally a chicken egg is good for 28 days after laying ( ten days if it.s fertile and u want to hatch it) thats why supermarkets have a 28 day shelf life...bit longer in the fridge...after this it loses that much moisture the yolk sticks to the shell..and breaks when u crack it into the pan or whatever way u want to use it. always try to find egg seller local then if you get a bad egg you can ask him/her how old it is. if my eggs are not sold within a few days i pickle them...now thats a different story altogether...hope this helps...rose

Answer 5

When they sink they are good whilst on their side laying in the water, as there needs to be air in the top of the egg for it to be fresh. Also when you shake the egg it needs to be firm, not a fluid, and a smell can tell if there is a bad egg too.

Answer 6

Ignore the idiot who said that an egg is good when it floats!!! An egg should sink in water...if it floats it means that it contains air and gas - ie, its off so dispose as carefully as possible so as not to stink out your house!

Answer 7

First check the sell by date, second if it sinks in water usually OK, also spin it on a flat surface then stop it if it still rotates should be OK. In the pan leave a portion of shell above the water, when the shell starts to dry its ready .... that is unless you have ostrich, duck or seagulls eggs then different rules apply.
happy cooking .... Ikey

Answer 8

as an egg gets beyond its sell by date, it begins to float, and the more it floats the less likely u ar to want to eat it!

Answer 9

If an egg floats it is no good.

Answer 10

If they float they are ok, if they sink pitch them out.
OK OK, my bad!!!!!
So if you submerge a very fresh egg in water, it will lie on the bottom. An egg that is a week or so old will lie on the bottom but bob slightly. An egg that is three weeks or so old will balance on its small end, with the large end reaching for the sky. And a bad egg will float.