Water Glassing Eggs
Could You Benefit From Water Glassing Eggs?
Hey there! Have you ever heard of water glassing eggs? It's a cool old-school way of preserving eggs that gives us a peek into the past. While it's not FDA-approved, it's a fun way to make your eggs last longer and get creative in the kitchen when there's a shortage. Give it a try and see how it can add a touch of history to your cooking adventures!
Spring and summer is the best time to water glass your eggs in preparation for the colder months. One of the main components in insuring that your water glassed eggs hold their integrity is to keep the eggs natural bloom coating intact. This natural bloom seals the pores to reduce moisture loss and prevents the development of bacteria. This keeps eggs laid by healthy chickens fairly safe from disease and remains intact until the egg is washed. Water glassed eggs have been know to stay useable for up to 24 months when under the perfect conditions. Though I do not recommend using eggs that have been water glassed for that period of time, we do keep ours up to 12 months and some times a little longer!
Here's Some Basics
Water glassing eggs can be achieved using sodium silicate (construction lime), hydrated or pickling lime. It is recommended to use filtered water or well water for this preservation process. In case your house runs on city water and filtered water is not available, leaving chlorinated water in an open jar on the counter for 24 hours can help evaporate the chlorine. To prevent oxygen from ruining the preservation process, it is essential to use an airtight container such as a glass jar or a food-grade bucket. Ensuring proper storage is crucial to avoid ending up with spoiled eggs.
Know the Difference
Pickling lime, also referred to as calcium hydroxide or slaked lime, is a white powder that is insoluble in water and has the chemical formula Ca(OH)2. On the other hand, hydrated lime, also known as calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide, is a white powder that is also insoluble in water and has the formula CaO. The key distinction between pickling lime and hydrated lime lies in their reactivity levels, with pickling lime being more reactive due to its higher calcium hydroxide content. As a result, pickling lime is commonly used in various industrial and commercial applications that require a higher degree of reactivity. In contrast, garden lime is composed of calcium carbonate, which is less alkaline than calcium hydroxide. This is why pickling lime is often recommended for water glassing eggs due to its higher alkalinity.
How To Water Glass Eggs
Water glassing eggs is very simple and cost effective! All you need is a 1/2 gallon (18 eggs) or 1 gallon jar (3 dozen), pickling lime, filtered water and a cool dark space!
The first thing your going to do is wash your jar and lid with warm water and soap after you need to sterilize your jar. You can do this on the sanitize cycle on your dishwasher or in a large stock pot on your stove. If using your stove, you want to make sure your jar is fully submerged on a rack in your pot. Bring the pot of water to a boil and allow your jar and lid to boil for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes remove your jar and allow to cool down on a clean surface.
After your jar is cooled you are going to select your fresh farm eggs that you would like to water glass. When selecting your eggs you want to make sure there are no cracks, blemishes, barn grime, feces, or dirt on them. you can use a DRY paper towel to slightly clean your eggs. DO NOT WASH YOUR EGGS!
Once you have selected your eggs you want to then gently place them in your jar. Some people say to set them pointy side down, I however am not that coordinated and plus they move how ever they want when you add your water solution. You want to want to fill your jar so that the eggs are snug but not too full as to crack or break any of the eggs.
Okay, now you have a jar full of eggs! time to make your water solution. I make my water solution in a separate container , others mix everything into the same jar at once. Do what feels best for you. The water solution is
1 ounce (1/4cup) Pickling Lime to 1 quart (4cups) Filtered Water for a 1/2 gallon jar.
I use a separate container because I like to make sure the lime is thoroughly incorporated into the water. Once solution is made, slowly pour into the jar. I say slowly so that as the eggs readjust, none of them crack or break. If an egg does end up cracking and/or breaking, those eggs can no longer be water glassed due to the now contaminated water.
After you have successfully added your water solution you can now put the lid on the jar and stick a label (a piece of tape does just fine!) on the side or top, with the date and how many eggs are in the jar. Then place your jar in a cool dark place to be pulled out in the winter!
Q and A
Can you water glass store bought eggs?
No, eggs purchased from grocery stores are cleaned and sanitized, removing the natural protective coating known as the bloom. This makes them unsuitable for water glassing, a preservation method that relies on the bloom to work effectively with a lime solution. If you have already cleaned and sanitized eggs, freezing them is a viable alternative for storage.
Is it alright if the lime settles to the bottom?
Yes! It is common to see lime settled at the bottom of the container when preserving eggs. It is important not to stir the solution to avoid the risk of cracking the eggs. Stirring can potentially ruin the entire batch. Rest assured, there will be enough lime in the water to effectively preserve the eggs.
Are the eggs safe to eat?
Yes! Ensuring the safety of water glassed eggs is crucial for consumption. To do this correctly, clean jars and utensils must be used, along with unwashed eggs. If an egg has gone bad, it will emit a noticeable off smell. Before consuming, it is recommended to perform a float-test on the eggs to confirm their freshness.
Will the eggs taste the same?
Yes! Water glassing is a preservation technique utilized to maintain the freshness of eggs without compromising their taste. Unlike alternative methods such as dehydration or freezing, which may subtly alter the flavor profile of eggs, water glassing ensures that the original taste remains unaltered. It is important to note that while the flavor is preserved, the texture of water-glassed eggs may exhibit slight variations.
Thank You!
I hope you enjoy this method of preserving your eggs as much as I do and utilize the "old ways" when dealing with your surplus of eggs! As a family of 5 we Water Glass about 16 dozen eggs throughout the year to use during the winter months. Just to give you a gage of how many you may want to water glass for yourself and your family!
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