Can anyone tell me how long a hard boiled egg will last in the fridge before it's no longer suitable for eating? OR...can I test them to see if their edible? I've asked several people and no-one seems to know. They all have the same response "I just cook what I need and use them right away" I usually do this too, but every once in a while I'll make them for my kids to take in their lunches. Often one rolls to the back of the fridge and isn't noticed for some time. How do I know if it's still good?

Thanks

Russ

-- (imashortguy@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002

Answers

I usually use mine up within a day or two. I also write on the outside of the shell with a pencil, put a "B" on it for "boiled". Nothing like being half asleep and trying to crack an egg into a pan, and you can't figure out why the shell won't part. Perhaps write the date on your eggs? Then if you find one escapee rolling around in the fridge, you'll know how old it is.

-- Chelsea (rmbehr@istar.ca), January 29, 2002.

according to ahealthyme.com hard boiled eggs should be kept refrigerated and eaten within a week.

-- Lacey (cddllt@webtv.net), January 29, 2002.

Chelsea...try putting a non-hard boiled egg in with a batch of hard boiled eggs!! Really funny :-)!!!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), January 29, 2002.

If you aren't sure if an egg is hardboiled try spinning it on its side. A boiled egg spins nicely and an uncooked one wobbles. You prob. knew that though. Kim

p.s. my dad's favourite easter trick was coloring an unboiled egg with nice sentiments like "I love Mom" and giving it to her. She finally wised up though and one year cracked "her special egg" on his head!

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), January 29, 2002.

I sell and give away eggs and made the mistake of giving someone two boiled ones in a carton. They just thought something was horribly wrong and threw them away!

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002.

Hardboiled eggs with intact shells in the refrigerator should be used within a week. If they're cracked use them in a day or two.

I once gave my brother one of those imported Swiss chocolate eggs where they blow out a real egg shell and then fill it with chocolate. Of course, I gave it to him by slipping into the egg rack in the refrigerator. He came home from class one day while I was at work, put the little aluminum egg pan on the stove, reached in for an egg and knocked the pan off on the floor trying to crack it!

I came home and there was the egg on top of the compost pile. I asked him why he'd thrown his present away and said he looked at the egg and saw that a little piece of the shell had chipped off exposing this solid brown stuff underneath and thought it was the rottenest egg he'd ever seen so he threw it out!

Eventually our practical jokes got out of hand and nearly came to murder but I do sort of miss them...

........Alan.

-- Alan (athagan@atlantic.net), January 29, 2002.

Marcia: Been there, done that! Went to put a couple boiled eggs on my salad, kersplatt! on the counter. Hence the "B" on my eggs now....LOL!

-- Chelsea (rmbehr@istar.ca), January 29, 2002.

My favorite prank with an egg is to open the small end a bit and pour out the egg. Rinse it thoroughly but leave a little water in the egg. Hold it in the palm of the hand with the opening hidden. Pick an argument with some unsuspecting victim or just tell UV that "George" bet you $5 you wouldn't break an egg over UV's head. Then do it. That little big of water left in the shell really makes it. The other joke is to show it to UV without saying a word, still hiding the hole, drop it into his shirt pocket then mash the egg. Be sure all avenues of escape are clear then run like the wind. Also be prepared for retribution.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), January 29, 2002.

Ann, I did the same thing with the boiled eggs. Fortunately it was a neighbor freind and I realized the mistake that day. I hurried up there and switched with a good dozen. Brought the others home and had to sort 'em all out!

-- Novina in ND (homespun@stellarnet.com), January 30, 2002.

Russ, I have kept hard boiled eggs ( in their shells) for a month in a cold (less than 40 degrees) fridge with no "going bad", kept them over a month as pickled as well.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 30, 2002.

My bone-head ex-hubby used to break the shell of hard-boiled eggs on his head. Well...and I didn't do it on purpose...I accidently put a raw egg in his lunch pail! After over twenty-five years I still chuckle about that!

-- Ardie /WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.