Storing Eggs at Room Temperature

Asked by kansley. Answered on 24th January 2011

Full question

Hi, I had 5 eggs at room temperature to make cheesecake but something came up and I didnt have time to make it, they were out from fridge about 3 hours, I have returned them back to the fridge but am wondering if they are still okay to use... any thoughts? Thanks so much. Kristie

Our answer

If the eggs have only been out of the refrigerator 3 hours then they will be absolutely fine. The shells on eggs provide perfect protection so whole, uncracked eggs can be stored at cool room temperature right up to the "use by" or "best before" date on the box (and in the UK stamped on the egg).

If you are unsure about the freshness of an egg then put it into a large glass of water - if it sinks to the bottom and settles on its side (horizontally) then it is fresh, if it tilts up slightly it is still fine to use, if it is floating vertically then it is stale. Also if you crack the egg onto a plate the consistency of the white will give you a clue as to the freshness. If the white is very viscous and mostly sits around the yolk then the egg is fresh, if the white is watery and runs over the plate then the egg is older, though may still be used in baking if the "best before" or "use by" date has not expired.