How to Keep Hard-Boiled Eggs From Smelling Up the Fridge

Last Updated on September 15, 2024 by Shari Mason

**Sick** of that **overwhelming odor** of hard-boiled eggs filling up your fridge?

Let me share my firsthand experience and expert advice on how to prevent those eggs from stinking up your refrigerator.

In this quick guide, let’s learn how to keep hard-boiled eggs from smelling up the fridge.

We’ve included an in-depth analysis of why boiled eggs smell bad and what you can do to eliminate their unpleasant odor. Let’s start.

5 Ways to Keep Hard-Boiled Eggs from Smelling Up the Fridge

1. Use an Airtight Container

I usually use an airtight container to keep hard boil eggs from stinking up the ref and place it on the middle shelf.

It can prevent bacteria from growing, which causes the stinking odor of the hard-boiled eggs and changes their taste.

“Good eggs have a neutral odor, while bad ones will smell sour or gassy,”

Melanie Marcus, RD, Culinary Dietitian

2. Cover With Water

You can keep eggs from smelling by covering them with cold water (one to two inches high). After you boil eggs using a saucepan, remove them from the boiled water. Plunge them into a bowl of cold tap water (or ice water).

Let them cool until you get your desired temperature, then dry the eggs with a paper towel. This is to prevent mold growth and lessen the foul odor.

Note that cool water also keeps the yolks from turning grayish-green or darkening. Discolored yolks are caused by a chemical reaction that intensifies the odor. But can you eat over medium eggs while you’re pregnant?

3. Add Vinegar Before Keeping

If possible, open your windows while peeling the eggs. Place shallow bowls with vinegar throughout your kitchen.

The eggs’ scent will be reduced by air movement. Vinegar absorbs and neutralizes any lingering egg smell or food odors.

Note: Bring a pot of diluted vinegar to a boil if the odor persists. Add essential oils or spices like cinnamon (a few teaspoons) to the boiling water. Also, you can use white distilled vinegar for better results.

4. Keep the Shell

Based on my research, the shells seal in moisture and prevent the eggs from picking up other flavors and odors from the refrigerator. So it’s best to keep this protein-rich ingredient unpeeled.

Another reason to keep eggs unpeeled? Hard-boiled eggs are much easier to peel after they’ve been chilled. You can store unpeeled hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator for up to a week. But can you eat an ostrich egg?

5. Wrap in a Damp Cloth or Napkin

If you want to peel hard-boiled eggs before storing them, we suggest wrapping their top and bottom with a damp cloth or napkin.

Then, place the eggs in a properly sealed container. This will keep their natural moisture, making hard-boiled eggs fresh when in storage. Also, this will help keep the bad odor in your ref.

Culinary Tip: Place the cooked hard-boiled eggs on the refrigerator shelves. We suggest that you use a cardboard container or airtight boxes. You can keep them like this for a week.

Why Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Smell Bad? The Science Behind It.

Hard-boiled eggs smell bad because of the formation of hydrogen sulfide. Iron is released when egg yolk is cooked, whereas hydrogen and sulfur are released when an egg white is cooked.

When hydrogen, sulfur, and iron react to produce the dreaded rotten-egg stench, the terrible odor substance hydrogen sulfide is formed [1].

And this is especially true when raw eggs are overcooked [2] or exposed to too much heat or temperature.

How Do You Get Rid of Egg Smell in the Fridge?

Based on my experience, if the hard-boiled eggs are already peeled, do not let them sit for more than two hours after cooking (unless you want them to go bad quickly).

Get them out of the saucepan, then place eggs in a bowl of cold water right away before storing them in your refrigerator.

This will not only keep the eggs fresh but also get rid of the egg scent in your refrigerator. The moisture content will be maintained, and the temperature will remain stable. Change the water once a day to keep the hard-boiled egg fresh.

“No more egg odors; keep your fridge fresh and clean!”

–Eat Pallet Restaurant & Food Advice

Pro Tip: You can use vinegar or baking soda to remove the egg scent (or food odors) inside your fridge.

FAQs

How long do hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge without smelling?

Hard-boiled eggs can last in the ref without stinking for up to one week (if unpeeled), depending on how you store them and the cooking process. But if you want to peel the boiled egg, expect to keep it fresh for up to 5 days.

Do hard-boiled eggs smell in the fridge when peeled?

A peeled, hard-boiled egg can have a slight odor in your ref, but not the heavy-sulfur fumes you’re attempting to avoid.

So, if you peel your eggs ahead of time, we suggest keeping them in your fridge in a bowl of cold water. Find out what you can serve with egg salad sandwiches here.

Conclusion

To keep hard-boiled eggs from smelling up the fridge, put them in an air-tight container and place them in the middle of the fridge’s shelf.

With these simple steps I provided, you can bid farewell to the unpleasant aroma of hard-boiled eggs permeating your fridge.

By following proper storage techniques, utilizing odor-absorbing agents, and incorporating a dash of creativity, your refrigerator will remain a haven of freshness.

Enjoy your eggcellent culinary creations without any lingering scents. Bon appétit!

References:

1. https://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-how-to-hard-boil-eggs-story.html
2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/what-happens-when-you-overcook-eggs/articleshow/70191466.cms