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Did you know that putting eggs in the refrigerator door is the wrong way to store them? Here is the best way to preserve eggs.

According to food and nutrition experts, the refrigerator door is actually a terrible place to store eggs.

26 February, 2024

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Why shouldn’t you keep eggs in the refrigerator door?

Refrigerator manufacturers often design compartments for eggs on the refrigerator door, making most people believe that this is the ideal place to store eggs. However, food and nutrition experts believe that the refrigerator door is actually a terrible place to store eggs, according to the Daily Mail.

Vlatka Lake, a marketing director of Space Station – a storage company, said that the refrigerator door is the most unstable area in terms of temperature, with frequent temperature fluctuations due to the opening and closing of the refrigerator. If stored in this position, eggs will become more vulnerable to damage.

In addition, the frequent opening and closing also puts pressure on the door, causing the eggs to shake and the quality to decrease.

Explaining why eggs should not be placed in the refrigerator door, Dr. Tung Duy (Vietnamese Institute of Applied Medicine) shared on Vietnamnet that although the refrigerator door is where people usually store eggs, this position often experiences temperature changes with each opening and closing. This creates a favorable environment for bacteria to grow and weaken the protective membrane of the eggs, increasing the risk of bacterial infection and spoilage.

A good way to store eggs is to place them in specialized trays and close the lids to prevent them from absorbing odors and flavors from other foods in the refrigerator. It is recommended to place the egg tray/box in the middle or deeper inside the refrigerator, and the temperature should always be stable below 20 degrees Celsius.

Keeping eggs in the refrigerator is certainly better than leaving them outside. According to Dr. Duy, many studies have shown that fresh eggs stored at room temperature will decrease in quality after a few days and should be used within 1-3 weeks.

Meanwhile, eggs stored in the refrigerator will maintain their quality and freshness longer, at least twice as long as eggs stored at room temperature. However, experts recommend a maximum storage time of 3-5 weeks to avoid using eggs that have become too old.

In addition, here are some tips for storing eggs:

Use bran or sawdust

One of the most commonly used methods in poultry farming is burying eggs in dry bran or sawdust. Get a clean foam box/paper, spread a layer of bran or sawdust on the bottom and place the eggs, continue to sprinkle bran/sawdust layer by layer until finished, then wrap and place the box in a cool place. This method can help you store eggs for several months. Remember to check once a month.

Coat eggs with oil

The simplest way to store eggs is to coat the eggshell with a layer of vegetable oil such as rapeseed oil or sesame oil. This method can help preserve eggs for up to 1 month at the appropriate temperature of 25-32 degrees Celsius.

Place eggs in tea leaves

Tea leaves can also be used to store eggs, similar to storing them in bran. The method of storing eggs in tea leaves can keep them fresh for 2-3 months.

Use newspaper

Frequently asked questions

The refrigerator door is one of the warmest parts of the fridge due to the constant opening and closing. Eggs are best stored in a cold, dry place, ideally in the main body of the fridge, in their original carton, on a middle or bottom shelf.

The best way to preserve eggs is to keep them in their original carton and store them in the main body of the refrigerator, preferably on a middle or lower shelf. This maintains a consistent, cool temperature and protects them from absorbing odors and flavors from other foods.

Fresh eggs can last for about 4-5 weeks if stored properly in the refrigerator. However, it’s important to note that the shelf life of an egg depends on various factors such as the environment, handling, and individual egg quality.

Several factors influence the quality and shelf life of eggs, including the environment (temperature and humidity), handling practices, and the individual characteristics of the egg itself. Proper storage practices, such as keeping eggs refrigerated and handling them gently, can help extend their freshness.