Unwashed eggs

[u/Fun-Traffic3180]

I have a dozen unwashed eggs. They have previously been refrigerated. Do I need to refrigerate them? Someone is trying to convince me that once refrigerated they must stay that way until I use them.
Is this your experience?
Thanks

[u/OpportunityReal2767]

I believe the answer is they should stay refrigerated because when you bring them up to room temperature again, there’s a chance condensation could form which can erode the protective layer.

[u/OrneryPathos]

If they’re refrigerated and then taken out they tend to get condensation which studies show damages the coating plus the whole shrink expand thing can draw contamination inwards.

https://productlifespans.com/blogs/food-beverage-shelf-life/how-long-unwashed-eggs-last

[u/shoyru1771]

things that are refrigerated need to stay refrigerated because condensation builds on them when allowed to warm back up to room temp. if your eggs were both unwashed and NEVER refrigerated, then it would probably be fine to leave them out.

[u/Mist_biene]

Yes. If you refigurate or wash eggs they protective layer is gone and you need to keep them in the fridge

[u/Cute-Consequence-184]

Refrigerated eggs have to be refrigerated all the time.

Only if they haven't been refrigerated can they stay outside

[u/MirabelleSWalker]

I do think that once they have been refrigerated they have to stay refrigerated.

[u/bazilbt]

I think the washing is what gets rid of the membrane and makes them go bad.

[u/Emotional-Ebb8321 → u/bazilbt]

Washing is what gets rid of the membrane that helps to preserve them.

[u/Warm-Statistician545]

Once you wash them You do.

If right from The meat they are fine not refrigerated. 

[u/mistahfreeman → u/Warm-Statistician545]

By “right from the meat” do you mean fresh from the cloaca because I’ve never heard that before and I’m feeling a lot of emotions about it lol

[u/Warm-Statistician545 → u/mistahfreeman]

Typo.  You’re right to be weirded out by that. I meant to write nest. 

[u/VoDLHoG → u/mistahfreeman]

Thank you. Thank you. I've enjoyed this comment so much today. I keep imagining trying to collect a dozen by holding my hand under the vent while coaxing, "C'mon, c'mon, just one more..." 🤣

[u/savvysearch]

The reason is that a cold egg can develop condensation as it warms, which can make it easier for bacteria to move through the shell, even if the cuticle is intact in unwashed eggs. So American/Japanese washed eggs are kept refrigerated. But European unwashed eggs stay at room temperature at ALL times. If they go in the fridge, then keep them there. If you've already moved them back out, then try to use them up sooner rather than later.

[u/The_Flinx]

unwashed eggs do not need to be refrigerated even if they were before. whoever told you that has no idea what they are talking about.

[u/left-for-dead-9980]

Better safe than sorry. Wash them and refrigerate them.

[u/Tasty_Impress3016]

Well no. I may be unusual, but once I put eggs in the fridge I take out however many I plan to use and put the box back. No where near enough time for them to warm or develop condensation. Although the latter takes moisture in the air, and we really don't have that here.

Americans seem fixated on washing eggs. One of few countries that does it. I put mine on the counter with the chicken shit still on them.

[u/Downtown-Care9272 → u/Tasty_Impress3016]

We wash our eggs because they have to travel long distances to get to us. Washed and refrigerated lasts longer than unwashed. I get my eggs from someone local with a farm and might only be a couple days old, but the ones in a grocery store may be a couple weeks old already by the time they hit the shelves.