Preserving chicken eggs by water glassing is a long-standing historical method that works well for long-term egg storage.
If you have several hens and the production of eggs is at an all-time high, it is the best time to preserve the extra bounty for when production is down.
Water glassing is one of the cheapest and simple methods for preserving chicken eggs for a long. This article will discuss everything you need to know about water glassing eggs. Read on to learn more.
What Is Water Glassing?
Water glassing eggs is a historical method that has been used for many years to keep eggs fresh. The method is very easy and effective.
Besides, it does not require a lot of funds to water glass your eggs. The eggs are put in a bucket containing a solution of hydrated lime, and when taken out, they will be as fresh as the day they were put in.
The secret to this age-old technique is the high amount of calcium in the hydrated lime. The calcium powder will keep the air supply in the egg intact by the pores in the shell.
As a result, it will prevent your eggs from getting spoiled. The calcium will also prevent bacteria from thriving.
Are Water Glassing Eggs Safe?
Water glassed chicken eggs that have been submerged in a water and lime solution are safe for human consumption.
However, you will need to water your water-glassed eggs before using them to avoid ingestion of pickling lime which could not be good for your personal health.
You will also have to look out for cracks in any of your eggs because even the smallest crack can damage or contaminate the entire batch of your water glassed eggs.
Eggs That Can Be Water Glassed
You can preserve any poultry eggs by the water glassing method. You will have to ensure that your eggs are fresh and lean from debris.
Besides, your eggs must be unwashed before water glassing. You should only wash your eggs when you want to use them.
In addition, you should not use store-board eggs for water glassing. This is because eggs from the store are normally washed and bleached, thus destroying the egg’s bloom coating.
Therefore, be sure to water glass only eggs collected from your coop to avoid regrets.
The Bloom Coating And Its Importance
Some people do not realize that an eggshell is porous, meaning it comprises several little pores.
The blooming is an outer coating protecting the egg from bacteria and air entering through the pores.
Washing your eggs will likely destroy the bloom coating. This will allow the lime to get inside the egg during the water glassing process.
The coating is sealed in place by the lime and water mixture during water glassing and leaving you with chicken eggs ready for storage in your pantry.
Materials Needed For Water Glassing Eggs
Here are some of the materials you will require to water your eggs successfully.
Food-Grade Bucket or Glass Jars
First, you will need a glass jar or a food-grade bucket to water glass your eggs. The container or glass jar size will depend on the total number of eggs you are planning to preserve.
You will need to keep in mind that one quart of water glassing solution will cover 10 to 15 eggs.
Pickling Lime
Pickling lime is also referred to as Calcium Hydroxide. You can look for this lime online or find it in stores with preserving and canning equipment. You can also use sodium silicate to water glass your eggs.
Water
Water is one of the main components you will require for water glassing eggs. You will have to be sure that your water is fluoride-free and chlorine-free.
There will be nothing to worry about if you have good well water. However, if you reside in a city where fluoride is an additive, you will have to boil the water.
You can also buy natural spring water or distilled water from the store to be safe.
Eggs
You can use any poultry eggs for water glassing as long as they are fresh and clean from any debris. Also, make sure that the eggs to be water glassed are unwashed.
You do not have to collect eggs all eggs at the same time of day you make your water glassing solution. You can add more eggs with time as you gather them.
How To Water Glass Eggs
Ingredients
- Pickling lime
- Airtight container (Food Grade Bucket or Glass Jar)
- Kitchen Scale (For measuring pickling lime)
- Natural or distilled water (must be free from chlorine and fluoride)
- Eggs (Fresh and clean eggs that are unwashed)
Instructions
Step 1
Head to your coop and gather several fresh, clean eggs. Make sure that your eggs do not have poop or dirt on the shells.
Also, do not wipe them clean as that could remove the bloom coating of the egg, which keeps bacteria from entering the egg.
Step 2
Carefully place your eggs with the pointy side facing down the container or glass jar. You should always store your eggs this way so that they do not get spoiled.
Step 3
Mix together the calcium hydroxide and water. The mixture will look milky. Because it will be a saturated solution, the lime will settle and continue to settle with time.
However, you do not have to worry about this as it is normal. Using boiling or warm water will not prevent this from happening.
Step 4
Once you are through with mixing water and calcium hydroxide, the next step will be pouring the mixture over your eggs. Be sure to leave about two or three inches of liquid above the eggs.
Step 5
Lastly, cover the container to prevent your liquid from evaporating over time. You can also check them from time to time to ensure that they are covered properly.
Also, do not forget to date and label the container. Be sure to store the container in a cool and dark place until the eggs are ready for use.
When you are ready to use some fresh eggs, make sure that they are washed well before cracking them for use. The eggs can easily curdle with just a drip of limewater.
Things You Need To Know When Water Glassing Eggs
- You do not have to gather all eggs at once when water glassing. You can select your eggs daily through the week and add them one by one to the liquid.
- Avoid moving the container from one place to another once you add the eggs. Make sure that no egg in the container cracks. If a single egg cracks, it might ruin the entire batch of eggs.
- Crack every egg in a separate bowl before using it just to be sure that you do not end up mixing good eggs with spoilt ones. The eggs will no longer be porous after sitting in lime water. They will be well sealed. Therefore, you will have to pinprick the shells first if you are planning to steam or hard boil the egg. This will prevent the egg from exploding or popping in the water.
- Make sure that you wash your eggs well before cracking them open for use.
How Do Water Glassed Eggs Taste And Look Like?
It is nearly not possible for one to tell the difference between a water glassed egg and a normal fresh egg since they have a similar appearance. Water-glassed chicken eggs also taste just like fresh eggs.
Using Water Glassed Eggs
If you want to use an egg, remove it from the container and rinse it clean. You can then use it the same way you use fresh eggs.
You can bake, scramble, or even boil. As mentioned earlier, water-glassed eggs have the same appearance and taste as fresh eggs.
You will need to be careful when cracking the eggs and make sure that any spoilt egg is not mixed with
Can You Preserve Duck And Quail Eggs By Water Glassing?
Yes, you can preserve any type of eggs by water glassing as long as they are not store-bought. All commercial eggs are usually washed, bleached, and even coated with mineral oil.
Also, do not wash your duck or quail eggs before preserving them. Therefore, make sure that you are only water-glassing fresh eggs clean from any debris.
When Is the Best Time to Water Glass Your Eggs?
There is no specific or better time to start preserving your eggs. You can start it anytime you think, be it in the summer or winter.
However, it is always good to start preserving your eggs when you think your hens produce more eggs than your family can consume. This can be in the summer or early spring.
Conclusion
Water glassing is an ancient method of preserving eggs that uses pickling lime to preserve the eggs and ensure they are good for several months or years.
You can use this method to preserve any egg as long as they are clean and unwashed.
