Today concludes the end of a 6 month experiment: to see if the calcium hydroxide method of water glassing eggs works for preserving eggs without refrigeration. It’s a good thing to know, if your laying hens are producing more than you use or give away or sell/trade.
Last summer I mixed up enough food grade calcium hydroxide solution and filtered water to fill a 1.75qt jar with 16 farm fresh eggs of various sizes, fully immersed. I vacuum sealed the lid and let it sit on our canning shelves.
I’m happy to report that the neighbour’s dog and my mother in law have suffered no ill effects since eating them yesterday. I tried some this morning. Lol.
But seriously, it appears to have worked as advertised. No bad odour upon unsealing the jar. No change to the taste upon frying. A little overcooked on account of letting the cast iron pan get a little too hot and not having some proper tallow or ghee to cook with, but tasted normal. And I haven’t died!
For egg preservation in water jars:
Hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) is mixed with water to create an alkaline solution.
Fresh, unwashed eggs (with the bloom intact) are submerged in this solution.
The solution prevents bacterial growth and seals the pores of the eggshells.
Eggs can be preserved this way for 6 months to over a year when stored in a cool, dark place.
How to mix it:
A common ratio is:
1 ounce (by weight) of hydrated lime per 1 quart of water
Make sure the powder is food grade, not construction-grade lime.
If you’re looking for the older sodium silicate method (“water glass” proper), that’s also effective but less commonly used today.
Look for these key indicators on the packaging:
Name on the Label:
Look for terms like:
- Pickling Lime
- Food Grade Hydrated Lime
- Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂)
Food-Safe or Food-Grade Label:
- The package should explicitly say “food grade” or “safe for food use.”
- Avoid anything labeled “for industrial use only” or “not for consumption.”
Brand Examples (USA):
Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime – Common in canning sections of grocery or farm stores.
Ball Pickling Lime – Another reputable canning brand.
Some Mexican markets sell “cal” (short for calcium hydroxide) for nixtamalization, and this is often food grade too—just double-check the labeling.
Ingredient List:
Should list only calcium hydroxide or hydrated lime with no additives.
Location in Store:
Found in the canning supplies section of supermarkets, farm supply stores (like Tractor Supply), or online. I got it off Amazon.
Do not buy lime from the gardening or construction section — that is usually quicklime (calcium oxide) or agricultural lime, both unsafe for food.
#prepstr
#homesteading
#bitcoin