Water glassing eggs is a way to preserve fresh eggs that has recently made a big comeback. I decided to conduct an experiment using this old egg preservation method to preserve some of the surplus of eggs from my laying chickens this spring. Unlike freeze-drying eggs, water-glassed eggs stay intact and taste exactly like fresh eggs!
It's finally spring! Here in Montana, that means my backyard chickens are finally back in production, laying eggs after being a bunch of freeloaders all winter. Since there are only so many eggs we can eat, I wanted to try a different method of preserving eggs (besides using our freeze dryer) for when the chickens go on strike again come winter.
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What is Water Glassing Eggs?
Water glassing is an old way of preserving eggs by storing them in a solution of water and pickling lime powder. This is different than pickled eggs. Most sources claim water-glassed eggs are good for up to a year, with some claiming the eggs are edible for as long as 2 years after being water-glassed.
The eggs do eventually begin to deteriorate in quality (the egg texture gets watery and the yolk does not stay intact).
I think water glassing has made a huge comeback because homesteading is really popular right now. Many of these homesteaders, Tiktokers, and influencers are sharing their water glassing success on social media.
However, water glassing eggs seems to be a controversial topic of late. Even though water glassing eggs was a standard method of preserving eggs in the 1800s, the FDA does not recommend this method.
Some sources claim that you may be in danger of botulism if you consume water glassed eggs. I searched for known cases of botulism resulting from water glassed egg consumption, but I did not find any. Most of the information I found was from homesteaders and farmers who regularly water glass eggs with excellent results.
I thought long and hard as to whether I should do this post. In the end, I decided to use this as a teaching opportunity to introduce my readers to this old egg preservation method.
I'm not promoting water glassing eggs or saying it's right for you. The purpose of this post is mainly to share my water glassing experiment journey with you. What you choose to do with this information is totally up to you! I will update this post in 6 months with my results and final thoughts on this topic, so stay tuned!
Ingredients
- Eggs: If using a gallon-sized jar, you will need approximately 40 UNWASHED, clean eggs that have been laid within the week. You should not use dirty eggs with stuck-on chicken poop, hay, or feathers. You also want to make sure the eggs are not cracked. Store-bought eggs should not be used because the "bloom," which protects and seals the eggs, has been washed off.
- Pickling Lime: Pickling lime can be purchased in large quantities from your local hardware store, however, since I'm in the experimental stage, I decided to buy a 1-lb bag from Amazon.
- Water: Most people recommend using filtered water, or at least water that does not contain chlorine and fluoride. Well water should be fine!
Helpful Equipment
- Since pickling lime is harsh on the skin, gloves are recommended.
- Gallon-sized glass jar or a gallon food-grade bucket.
- Half-gallon jars or ceramic crocks are also popular options.
- Kitchen scale for weighing the pickling lime
How to Water Glass Eggs
Begin by thoroughly washing a gallon-sized jar, then fill the jar halfway with 2 quarts of clean, filtered cold water.
- Using a kitchen scale, weigh 2 ounces of pickling lime powder (1 ounce per quart of water you added), then whisk it into the jar of water until thoroughly mixed.
- Using gloved hands, transfer newly laid, clean, unwashed eggs, one at a time, into the jar.
Pro Tip: During my research, I saw many questions regarding how much pickling lime to use if you don't own a kitchen scale. I measured with a scale and measuring spoons. It took exactly ¼ cup to make 4 ounces. For this recipe, you'll need 2 ½ Tablespoons of pickling lime.
- Place the eggs' pointy end down, first around the edges of the jar, then fill in the rest. Be careful not to break the eggs.
- Mix ½ ounce (1-½ teaspoons) pickling lime with 2 cups of cool water, then pour lime-water solution over eggs to completely submerge them.
Pro Tip: There's mixed information regarding what to do if an egg breaks. Some say you have to start over, while others suggest removing the broken egg and continuing. You may want to err on the side of caution and make a fresh batch of pickling solution.
- Seal the jar with a lid and mark it with the date.
- Place the jar out of direct sunlight in a cool, dark location.
Six Months Later...
Well, it's been six months since I water glassed the eggs, and today was the day I tried my first water glassed egg! The egg looked and smelled fine. It was slightly runnier than a fresh egg, and the egg yolk broke once in the pan. However, it tasted delicious, and I'm looking forward to having more!
FAQ
Water glassing is an old form of egg preservation used when there is a surplus of eggs. The freshly laid eggs are submerged in a jar with a mixture of water and pickling lime and stored in a cool location for up to two years or until needed.
Most sources suggest that water-glassed eggs are good for one year, while other sources suggest they are still good at the 2-year mark. Most agree that they are best when consumed within 6-8 months.
Performing a float test is really simple. Fill a glass with cool water, then gently place the egg in the glass. If the egg sinks to the bottom, the egg is good, however, if it floats up to the surface, it should be discarded.
Any type of egg can be used for water glassing, including duck eggs, quail eggs, goose eggs, and, of course, chicken eggs. However, the eggs need to be fresh, unwashed but clean, with no visible cracks.
Pro Tips
- There is no waiting period to use the eggs; they can be used as needed. Some people add more eggs as they get them. However, I prefer knowing the date they were added to the jar to make sure they are consumed within 6-8 months
- Although it's typically suggested that water-glassed eggs should be good for a year and maybe even up to two years, I plan on using mine within 6 to 8 months.
- Water glassed eggs can be used as needed, there isn't a required "wait time" to use them.
- If the water looks cloudy or moldy, discard the entire batch.
- Even though the pickling lime gets stirred into the water in the jar, it still eventually settles to the bottom of the jar; this is perfectly normal!
More Homesteading Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
How To Water Glass Eggs
Ingredients
- 2½ quarts fresh filtered water
- 2½ ounces pickling lime
- 40 fresh eggs (clean & unwashed)
Instructions
- Begin by thoroughly washing a gallon-sized jar, then fill the jar halfway with 2 quarts of clean filtered cold water.
- Using a kitchen scale, weigh 2 ounces of pickling lime powder (1 ounce per each quart of water you added), then whisk into the jar of water until thoroughly mixed.
- Using gloved hands, transfer newly laid, clean, unwashed eggs, one at a time, into the jar. Gently place the eggs pointy part down, first around the edges of the jar, then filling in the rest. Be careful not to break the eggs. I managed to fit 39 eggs into the jar.
- Mix ½ ounce (1-½ teaspoons) of pickling lime with 2 cups of cool water, then pour lime-water solution over eggs to completely submerge them.
- Seal jar with lid and mark with the date. Place jar out of direct sunlight, in a cool location.
Notes
- During my research, I saw many questions regarding how much pickling lime to use if you don't own a kitchen scale. I measured with a scale and measuring spoons. It took exactly ¼ cup to make 4 ounces. For this recipe, you'll need 2 ½ Tablespoons of pickling lime.
- There's mixed information regarding what to do if an egg breaks. Some stay you have to start over while others suggest to remove the broken egg and continue. You may want to err on the side of caution and start over and make more pickling solution.
- Although it's typically suggested that water-glassed eggs should be good for a year and maybe even up to two years, I plan on using mine within 6-8 months.
- Water glassed eggs can be used as needed, there is no required wait time to use them.
- If the water looks cloudy or moldy, discard the entire batch.
- Even though the pickling lime gets stirred into the water in the jar, it still eventually settles to the bottom of the jar, this is perfectly normal!
- There is no waiting period to use the eggs, they can be used as needed. Some people add more eggs as they get them. However, I prefer knowing the date they were added to the jar to make sure they are consumed within 6-8 months.
Hilda Sterner says
I hope you have fun trying this method of preserving eggs!
Roger Harmon says
Are you enjoying the eggs?
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Roger, I'm overwhelmed with fresh eggs at the moment, but I will be enjoying them in the winter.
Denise Boutwell says
Can you use them over time?
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Denise, Great question! Yes you can. The process doesn't require any waiting time. You can start using them the next day if you'd like, or anytime within that 1 year period.