Water glassing eggs is a technique that dates all the way back to the 1800s. It is a quick and easy process that preserves eggs for the long term, without freezing or cooking them. They can stay preserved this way for up to 18 months without going bad!

When you need to use an egg, all you have to do is take it from the jar, give it a good rinse and it will taste the same as it did the day you put it in there! It is VERY important to note that NOT ALL EGGS CAN BE WATER GLASSED! 

On our homestead, we have several chickens and during the spring and summer, egg production is way more than me and my family can eat. However, in the fall in winter most egg production slows down and even stops for a while. The water-glassing process allows us to have fresh eggs all year long, instead of having to buy them at the store when my hens are not laying!

Ingredients

Water glassing is an EXTREMELY simple process. You only need three ingredients and there is no cooking, canning, or freezing involved. The lime creates a solid seal around the eggs, filling in any gaps in their natural seal. Ultimately preserving it in time, until it is ready for use. This does not change the flavor or texture of the egg! It will taste just like it did the day you put it in there!

• Clean, Unwashed, Farm Grown Eggs
• Pickling Lime (I buy this kind on Amazon)
• Filtered Water (free of chlorine). If you have a Well you are probably good to use tap water.

Supplies Needed 

• Airtight Container with Sealable Lid
• Whisk

Egg Requirements for Water Glassing

Where to Get Your Eggs:

The Eggs MUST Be Farm Raised and NOT Commercially Grown. If you do not have chickens, you can still water glass eggs for storage! All you have to do is buy your eggs from a local farmer or neighbor that has backyard chickens! Just make sure to ask them to NOT wash or refrigerate the eggs prior to selling them to you. This is important. The reason or this is that the eggs have a protective seal on them that, when washed, is broken. Commercial egg producers always send their eggs through a sterilization process so they would not be good candidates for this at all!

Clean, Unwashed, Unrefrigerated

From the Coop the Eggs MUST Be Clean, Unwashed and Unrefrigerated. This can be a little difficult because a lot of chickens can be messy and poop all over their eggs. The key to getting as many clean eggs as possible is to make sure that your coop stays as clean as possible. I use these coop liners that help prevent the eggs from cracking, are reusable, and can be easily washed off and placed back into the coop. 

You are bound to get “messy eggs” and while some say you can try and carefully pick off whatever is on your eggs, prior to water glassing, this can break the eggs protective coating and could prevent it from sealing properly. My recommendation is to wash the messy eggs and put them in the fridge for daily use and keep the clean ones for preserving. 

No Cracks

Carefully Inspected to Insure There Are No Cracks. Sometimes eggs can have hairline cracks that you are unaware of and can go unnoticed. Do your best to properly inspect them to make sure they are free from any cracks. Most of the time, after you water glass your eggs, within a week or less, if there were any cracks you missed or problems with you eggs, you will notice them at this time.

Container Choices

There are many different options for water glassing containers. Many people use big containers like these that store a lot of eggs at one time. Personally, I just use these standard size mason jars. I do this because even though it takes more jars to store the number of eggs that I will need for winter, if one egg in the jar goes bad, I must throw away all of them. The jar holds about 7-9 eggs, depending on the size of the eggs, and by using smaller containers, I reduce the risk of a major loss. 

If you are a beginner in this process I highly recommend starting with smaller containers, just in case you were to have an egg or two go bad. 

Note: Typically, if an egg goes bad, it is most likely due to a hairline crack that you did not see during your inspection.  It CAN happen and is another reason why I choose smaller containers. I’d rather loose 7 eggs than 40!

Water Glassing Process

Step 1: Gather your water glassing supplies. 

Water Glassing Container: If you are using the mason jars, I recommend, get enough to preserve however many eggs you have. **(If you do not have enough to fill up more than one jar but you have more than will fit in just one, you can still put the additional eggs into the second jar and add more as they come in!)**

Pickling Lime and Chlorine Free Water: The ratio is 1 Oz of Lime to 1 Quart of Water. There is a little more than half an oz in 1 tablespoon (0.52 to be exact!). There are four cups in one quart.

Whisk and Measuring Tools: I use a 4 cup (One Quart) measuring cup, a 1 Tbsp spoon, and a wire whisk

Fresh, Unwashed, Unrefrigerated Eggs: I take a soft napkin or tissue and wipe each egg off prior to putting it into the solution 

Step 2: Prepare Water Glassing Lime Solution 

Start by measuring out 1 quart of water (or 4 cups) and 2 Tablespoons of pickling lime. Add the Lime to the solution and whisk until it has mixed well. (It will be very cloudy and almost the color of milk, but you want to make sure you get it all off the bottom and mixed around into the water). Pour half a quart into each jar. 

Step 3: Add the Eggs

Place the jar in a sink or bowl to catch any solution that might spill over. Start by adding the eggs (slowly and carefully) with the large side facing down. Stack the eggs carefully until you reach the top. You want at least an inch or two of solution between the egg and the top of the water line. Place an airtight lid on the jar

Step 4: Store Your Water Glassed Eggs!

Place the jar in a cool, dry, and dark place for storage and that’s it! The water will seem murky for a little while until all the lime settles at the bottom!