How to store hard boiled eggs in shell unrefrigerated? 3 Proven Methods You Must Know

  • By: Emma
  • Date: August 13, 2022
  • Time to read: 6 min.

If you have read your aunt’s blog on how to keep your eggs fresh and yummy all the time, then it is evident that you will be keen on adequately storing them.

But if you are like most people who have not heard of anyone talking about how to store hard boiled eggs in shell unrefrigerated, properly storing them becomes very alien for you.

Well, it does not matter as long as you read this article. After all, we are talking about you, not your aunt or anyone else.

We will discuss different ways to keep your hard-boiled eggs without refrigeration and what you need to do.

Table of Contents

How to store hard boiled eggs in shell unrefrigerated?

There are three ways to store hard boiled eggs in the shell without refrigeration.

  1. Store on a counter for up to 2hrs at 90oF
  2. Store it in a lunch bag with a cool pack.
  3. By pickling the boiled eggs for at least 1-2 weeks.
Storage typeBoiled eggs in the shellPeeled boiled eggs
On the counter1-2 hours2 hours
Lunch bag3-4 hours2-4 hours
Pickled3-4 months3-5 months
Table 1: Comparison of storage time of eggs in and out of the shell

Read: Does Spicy Food Last Longer in The Fridge?

How long can hard-boiled eggs in a shell be unrefrigerated?

It is pretty hard to say, but it is a fact that eggs can be stored in a shell without refrigeration for a few months. However, keeping them unrefrigerated for more than six weeks will not be advisable.

The reason is that if the egg is kept under hot and humid conditions, then the egg will start to decompose.

Do hard-boiled eggs in the shell need to be refrigerated?

If you are still wondering whether or not hard-boiled eggs in the shell need to be refrigerated, the answer is no.

Now, if you have been told that they do not need to be refrigerated yet seem a little bit more ‘fresh’ than usual, then it is time for you to take some additional steps. And these steps will make sure that your hard-boiled eggs remain as fresh as if they were just hatched.

If your eggs stay fresh without any shelf life issues, then the chances are they are stored properly. These storage methods include baking soda and vinegar, apple cider vinegar and water, and ice cubes and salt.

Can you eat hard-boiled eggs that have been left out?

If you are planning to store your hard-boiled eggs for a few hours, then you can eat them. Just ensure that the egg is not too warm or raw.

You might also want to check if the shell has separated from the egg. If it has and has been left out for more than six hours, then it would be best for you to discard it.

Let’s look at some methods of storing your hard-boiled eggs without refrigeration:

  1. Keep them in a sealed container: This is one of the easiest ways to store your hard-boiled eggs without refrigeration and one of the most effective ways to keep them fresh.
    All you have to do is put them in a sealed container and keep them in an airtight bag or on ice until you need them. This way, they will stay fresh for longer than otherwise stored.
  2. Store them in the refrigerator: The idea behind storing them in the refrigerator is that egg whites exposed to cold temperatures maintain their texture and flavor better than those exposed to warmer temperatures.
    However, this method will not work if there is very minimal space inside your refrigerator due to limited space or lack of place for storage purposes.
    The only downside with this method is that you will need access to an electrical outlet when using electrical appliances such as chilling packs, etc.
  3. Put them on ice: This can be done by placing ice cubes of water and salt.

Read: Does Frozen Meat Weigh More? A Science-Backed Answer

Do hard-boiled eggs last longer peeled or unpeeled?

One of the most important things to do after you have boiled your eggs is peeling them. The peeling will help preserve them from possible harm and make things easier for you.

But as a result, this means that you need to store your peeled eggs in a refrigerator.

So, what should you do if you have boiled your eggs without removing the shell?

Well, there are some ways to keep your hard-boiled eggs without refrigeration.

If you want the longest-lasting eggs possible, the best option is to leave them unpeeled and store them at room temperature.

However, if you want your eggs to last for a shorter amount of time but still want them smooth and firm and not sticking together or getting spoiled due to bacteria growth, then storing them in water would be the best option.

This way, they would keep longer than unpeeled ones but won’t last as long as those stored in a refrigerator because of their lack of air circulation.

If this is not required, peel them before storing them and store them at room temperature or refrigerate them so they do not get spoiled too soon.

What happens if you leave hard-boiled eggs out all night?

The first thing that happens when you let your hard-boiled eggs be out all night is that they will burst.

This may not sound so bad, but the possible consequences are grim. You might end up with raw eggs or a broken container.

There are some ways you can avoid this from happening to you. One of them is by using the proper container for storing these eggs.

The other way is to store them in the refrigerator after boiling them and before setting them aside for a few hours or overnight.

The third way is to use an egg mister instead of boiling the eggs, ensuring no air bubbles inside.

The final and best way to prevent your hard-boiled eggs from bursting is by purchasing a new container specifically designed for storing hard-boiled eggs without refrigeration. This ensures that every time you need to store a hard-boiled egg, it will enter the container without any problems at all.

How can you tell if a hard-boiled egg is bad?

If you want to know if your hard-boiled eggs are rotten, look closely at them.

One of the first signs that your eggs are bad is their appearance. If they have brown spots or ragged edges, they are not fresh, and you need to throw them away as soon as possible.

Another way to tell if your eggs are bad is to smell them. If they smell foul or have an unpleasant odor, then they are not good, and you should dispose of them in the same manner mentioned above.

Another sign that your eggs are rotten is that they do not peel easily, even with a knife. The reason why this happens is that there is something wrong with their texture.

When this happens, it means some part of the egg has started rotting or seeping out the liquid, which could cause contamination and make other parts of the egg rotten.

Lastly, if your hard-boiled eggs do not peel easily, even with a knife, it could mean that some of the egg has turned greenish in color. This can happen when some part of the egg is dropped into a dirty utensil used for cooking or storing raw materials such as vegetables or meat for later use.

Conclusion

So, how to store hard boiled eggs in shell unrefrigerated? The key to storing hard-boiled eggs in the shell without refrigeration is not to leave them out. The best way to store hard-boiled eggs without refrigeration is by carefully following the steps outlined below. Hard-boiled eggs in the shell can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to a week.

Hard-boiled eggs are safe to eat if left out for no more than two hours. If you find that your hard-boiled eggs are starting to get a little funky that day, it’s time to put them in the fridge or eat them up!