this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2024
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I’ve just bought a new fridge and it comes with a section to hold eggs. I’ve never stored them in the fridge since salmonella isn’t really a problem here because our chickens are vaccinated. Does anybody in the UK actually refrigerate their eggs?

As an aside, I tend to decide what goes into the fridge based on where it was in the supermarket. If they don’t refrigerate it, neither do I. So for eggs, I don’t.

Secondary question - what am I gonna use the egg holder in the fridge for now, other than maybe briefly cooling my balls?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 hour ago

US have to store eggs in the fridge because they mandatory wash them before selling, brushing away the natural protection layer that enhance durability.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

We don't have to in Germany, but they last longer and sometimes we don't eat a lot of eggs. Putting them in the fridge ensures that we can safely eat them even quite some time after the expiration date (then we cook them fully though).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 23 hours ago

I'm in the US, so I do have to store eggs in the fridge. BUT I do what you do for a lot of foods that don't need to be refrigerated. I refrigerate them anyway because they last longer. I live alone, so my groceries don't deplete as fast as people with large families, and so it makes sense for me to try to stave off food spoilage as long as possible.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago

Same in Italy. But i pur them in the fridge because they last a lot longer

[–] [email protected] 1 points 22 hours ago

I put them in the fridge because I don't have anywhere else to put them, but I'm aware it's unnecessary.

[–] [email protected] 33 points 2 days ago (5 children)

It's not just vaccination - European eggs aren't pressure washed like American ones to remove the protective coating.

I've honestly never understood why America does that to their eggs.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

In Australia our eggs are kept in the refrigerated section in the supermarket (usually near the cheese and butter, because everyone knows eggs are dairy), and we've always put them in the fridge at home, so I guess they wash the protective coating off here too.

[–] [email protected] 39 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Salmonella. It's carried in chicken dung, sometimes eggs get a bit of feces on them, so the US washes them to attempt to reduce exposure.

Problem is that without the protective coating, the eggs are more permeable and susceptible to bacterial infection, hence the refrigeration.

So it's a question of whether it's better to reduce bacteria exposure or susceptibility. I am sure there's research out there with numbers indicating one works better than the other, but it's been such a long-standing thing at this point that I don't think Americans would trust unrefrigerated eggs.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

Both work for protecting humans. However, I believe vaccination is better overall. It also improves the quality of life of the chickens. Unfortunately, it's also (very slightly) more expensive, so America went the cheap route. The EU mandated to reduce animal cruelty, by vaccination.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago

The research shows both methods are equally effective at controlling salmonella, afaik

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I don't keep them in the fridge, I've got my own hens and I didn't before when I got shop bought eggs. I have 0 concern about salmonella or anything like that.

The fridge egg holder is for keeping hard boiled eggs, not raw ones.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The fridge egg holder is for keeping hard boiled eggs, not raw ones.

That’s an interesting observation, I hadn’t thought of that. Although the day I consider pre-boiling eggs for later consumption is the day I give up on the illusion of youth.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

I grow old, I grow old

I wear my trousers rolled

Shall I eat a peach?

Nah, it's 3:00 pre-boiled egg time

Then some ~~Wheel of Fortune~~ QI and a nap

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 days ago (4 children)

Refrigerating eggs also roughly doubles their shelf life.

Is salmonella vaccination required in the UK now? It's been a few years but last I knew it was voluntary and roughly 3/4 of egg farmers did do it.

Egg farmers? Chicken ranchers? Poultry producer? Idk what they're called.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The correct term is Fowl Fiddler

[–] [email protected] 2 points 23 hours ago

This sounds like something you'd get arrested for.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I put them in the fridge... On top of the egg holder ... In their box 😈

I don't get through many, so putting them there means I know they are probably still good after a couple of months. The box has the best before date to let me know if I need to float test then.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago

I put them in the fridge... On top of the egg holder ... In their box

Absolute madman

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Apricots, upside down pears, Easter eggs, those teeny tiny sealed shot glasses of UHT milk you get in hotels, those big marbles we used to call Tom bowlers in primary school, eye balls, a large toy ant(assuming 6 holes in the holder rather than 12, otherwise 2 large toy ants)

The possibilities are endless!!!!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

I think it is obvious that the intended use is Easter eggs, and kinders in a pinch. Also, that sock drawer to keep socks cool in the summer is genius

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago

I do here in Sweden despite there is no need. Mostly because it is the convenient place in my kitchen.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I've always done that, here in germany. They are supposed to last at least ~2 weeks (or so, idk) at room temperature, after all they are stored like that in stores. But the eggs I have right now are more like 3-4 weeks old, so I prefer to put them in the fridge, because why not? They don't take much space and last for double as long, so 6 weeks.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago

When I buy supermarket eggs, I refrigerate them because they are washed (in the US). When I get unwashed eggs (from a farm or a friend), I still refrigerate them and just wash them prior to use. I don't have to refrigerate them since they have the cuticle intact, but refrigerating them still makes them stay fresher longer, so if I have the space for them, why would I not?

That said, the eggs already come in a carton, so I'm not going to transfer them into a separate container in my fridge for no reason.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

As an aside, I tend to decide what goes into the fridge based on where it was in the supermarket. If they don’t refrigerate it, neither do I.

There are quite a few items that are fine to store unrefrigerated until opened, but need to stay cold afterwards. Jam comes to mind.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

This is true, an egg won't last long unrefrigerated after its opened ;)

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago

In the US, eggs are washed, which significantly decreases their shelf life.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago (4 children)

Yeah I know, that’s why I was focusing on UK egg-fanciers.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's detachable in my fridge.

I use the egg holder on the door shelf for small bottles that would otherwise fall over when the door is opened. Medicine or nail polish, that sort of thing.

I also the egg holder to .. hold the eggs .. after they're boiled, so I can fill the egg cooker instead of boiling just a few at a time. I use cold boiled eggs for sandwiches or salats.

I do not use it for holding raw eggs as those already come in an egg shaped carton.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

How long do boiled eggs in fridges last?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

About a week maximum.

The taste changes over time, so I prefer using them in 1-2 days.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

The methods of salmonella mitigation, storing eggs from vaccinated chickens unwashed at room temp or storing washed eggs in the refrigerator, have roughly equal outcomes. There are still many egg-related salmonella outbreaks across Europe each year, roughly equivalent to the US. One method is not superior to another as far as outcomes, they're just two different systems that already exist and therefore are unlikely to change without a good reason

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I live in Canada, where eggs need to be refrigerated, and yet I've never seen a fridge with an egg holder. I already have an egg holder. The box they came in.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

Still one too many pieces of packaging for my liking. Put the OG egg holder in the fridge. The chicken.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

Idk, I think my family, as Germans, does this.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (7 children)

Why are you limiting your answer to UK? My decision to store eggs in the fridge has nothing to do with salmonella concerns and I believe it's likely people in the UK may also have similar judgement.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

We do.... but we don't need to. Just force of habit.

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