Water-glassing your farm-fresh eggs is easy and safe to do at home. It is an excellent alternative to freezing or dehydrating your excess eggs for preservation. Water glassing was invented long before refrigerators were around. With the water glassing method, your eggs will remain raw in their shells until use. 

When days shorten and hens stop laying for the winter, your flock may give you a drastic drop in egg production. Prepare for the shortage by water-glassing eggs during peak production times. This method is best if you like having eggs whole with the whites and yolks separated, just as they would be if they were freshly laid. While freezing your eggs can make the consistency of the egg change, water glassing seals the pores of the eggshell, blocking anything from entering the egg and preserving it.

Choosing The Eggs

Eggs chosen for this preservation need to be unwashed and very clean before submerging them into your container. Water-glassed eggs can be stored and used as needed for up to 18 months!

First, collect your best eggs for water glassing and choose your container size. You need a food-safe container the right size for the number of eggs you wish to preserve using the water glassing method. We suggest 1/2 or 1-gallon glass jars, food-grade plastic buckets with lids, or old-fashioned ceramic crocks. You will also need distilled or filtered water and pickling lime to preserve the eggs. Picking lime is different from the lime you may use as pest control in your coop, so be sure to pick up pickling lime from your canning aisle at the local grocery store.

How To Do It

Fill your jar with eggs carefully, making sure there are no cracks or visible debris on the eggs. Give yourself enough head space at the top to fully submerge the eggs with at least an inch of additional water. Once your eggs have filled the container, mix the pickling lime with the distilled water. Each quart of water used needs an ounce of lime powder. You’ll use about 2 quarts of water mixed with 2 ounces of lime for the gallon jar. When mixing your powder and water, ensure it fully dissolves before pouring over your eggs to ensure each egg is completely submerged. Pour the liquid over your eggs and cover the jar tightly to make sure the eggs are not exposed to any air. Store your water-glassed eggs in a cool, dark location and remove eggs as needed. When using water-glassed eggs, fully clean the surface before using and dispose of the shells. 

Get in touch with your ancestors and try this old-fashioned preservation method today!

Watch how to choose eggs and start your water-glassing egg container in this video