Most people never give much thought to where their eggs sit in the refrigerator. If your fridge has a handy egg holder built into the door, it seems like the perfect spot. It turns out, though, that the door is one of the less suitable places to keep them.
Eggs need fairly steady refrigeration, and the temperature inside your fridge isn’t the same everywhere. In the United States, commercially sold eggs are washed before they reach grocery store shelves. That cleaning removes the egg’s natural protective coating, often called the bloom, so refrigerated storage becomes especially important.
Where you put the carton can make a difference in how well the eggs hold up.
Why the Refrigerator Door Is a Poor Spot for Eggs
The refrigerator door tends to be warmer than the shelves inside the main compartment. Every time you open the door, warm room air enters, and the temperature around anything stored there can change more often.
That repeated warming and cooling isn’t ideal for eggs. It can affect their quality and make it harder for the refrigerator to keep them at a consistently cold temperature.
There’s also the issue of movement. Eggs stored in the door can get jostled each time the refrigerator is opened or closed. A cracked shell can allow bacteria to enter, so damaged eggs should be handled with care.
A better spot is a middle or upper shelf toward the back of the refrigerator. That area usually has a steadier temperature than the door. Keep the eggs in their original carton, too. The carton helps protect the shells and reduces the chance that eggs will pick up odors from foods nearby.
Related: 14 Produce Pairings That Can Make Your Fruits and Veggies Spoil Faster
The Best Way to Keep Eggs Fresh Longer
Storage location is just one part of keeping eggs in good condition. Leaving them in the carton is a simple habit that can help protect them from damage and strong food odors.
The carton also makes it easier to keep track of the eggs and their dates. Avoid moving them into decorative trays unless there is a good reason to do so.
Refrigerated eggs can stay fresh for several weeks when handled and stored properly. Farm-fresh eggs can have different storage considerations, particularly if their natural protective coating hasn’t been washed away.
Keeping store-bought eggs in their carton on an interior refrigerator shelf is an easy change that can help maintain their quality and reduce unnecessary food waste. And if your fridge has an egg tray built into the door, there’s no rule saying you have to use it.
