How Long Can Cracked Eggs Sit Out?

Eggs are protein-rich and easy to cook and are included in everyone’s breakfast menu. They can be used with different recipes and add a specific flavor. But it is very important to check whether eggs are healthy or not before using them. 

If you bought eggs that are already cracked, and 2 hours have passed, then it is not good to use them because eggs have thin pores in their shells, and many microorganisms might have gone inside them through these cracks and pores.

How Long Can Cracked Eggs Sit Out?

There are many different beliefs about whether cracked eggs can spoil, and people get confused because of the misinformation circulating everywhere.

So here you can find the logic behind why you should use cracked or broken eggs kept at room temperature within 2 hours. Firstly, eggs have thin shells with small pores; through these pores, eggs can absorb odors, and bacteria can escape inside them.

 Secondly, if eggs are cracked, the process of bacteria going inside the eggs becomes faster and can spoil the eggs even more quickly. Salmonella is a deadly bacterium that can grow in the eggs and can cause a potential hazard to your health. Lastly, open eggs have a shorter shelf life and are more prone to get spoiled than unbroken ones.

What Should You Do If Eggs Are Left Out Too Long?

Eggs are stored and distributed in a particular carton, and they should be kept inside their original packaging. When it comes to their shelf life, unbroken eggs have decent shelf lives and remain stable for a week at room temperature in hot weather. In contrast, they remain good for half of the month at room temperature in winters.

But if you have left with egg whites and yolks, they can go bad within 2 hours at room temperature. After they got opened, they become exposed to bacteria and other microorganisms. It is good to store egg whites and yolks in a refrigerator by putting them into airtight containers; this way, they will not absorb any odors and become less prone to develop molds.

How Long Can Cracked Eggs Be In The Car For?

Cracked Eggs should be kept at a temperature of 40⁰ F or below; if your car has its air conditioning turned on, then you can store cracked eggs there. But you cannot keep the AC on of your car all the time, obviously, so it is better not to keep the cracked eggs in your car and rather store them in the refrigerator.

If you forgot the cracked eggs in your car for more than 2 hours in hot weather, it is not a good option to use them because they might have gone bad.

You can check whether the cracked eggs are good to use or not by taking a sniff; if there is a foul smell coming out from them, it means that they have gone bad and should not be used for eating.

Do Cracked Eggs Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?

Cracked eggs can easily get spoiled, and the only thing to prevent them from wasting is to use them within the same day they crack. You can use ovens or microwaves for baking them and making delicious dishes.

If you are not using them, then make sure to store them in the refrigerator because leaving them out can cause them to spoil very quickly.

Do Eggs Go Bad If You Lose Power?

It depends on the duration of the power outage. If the power is restored within an hour, you should not worry about the health of cracked eggs because they will not go bad within an hour. If it is more than 2 hours, they might have been expired because, as we mentioned above, those cracked eggs are more prone to get spoiled than the regular ones.

What Temperature Is Safe For Cracked Eggs?

Temperatures less than 40⁰ F is safe for cracked eggs. They can remain good for one-day maximum, and after that, they will start to spoil. It is because cracked eggs can get bacteria inside of them easily through the cracks, and consumption of contaminated eggs can be dangerous for your health. So always make sure to check the health of the cracked eggs and then use them. If you notice any sign of spoilage, then discard them right away. 

Sources:

• Bhg
• eggs.ca
• Egg safety