How to Preserve Eggs for Months with Pickling Lime | Water Glassing Method

During the summer, my hens lay more eggs than my family can eat in a week—especially since I don’t bake as much when it’s hot outside. But once winter hits, my girls go on strike, sometimes going weeks without laying! In the past, I’d be so disappointed when I had to buy eggs from the grocery store just to keep up with holiday baking and eggnog season.

But once I discovered water glassing eggs using pickling lime, I never had to worry about running out again! This simple preservation method keeps fresh eggs usable for months, making it a game-changer for backyard chicken keepers.

Supplies Needed To Water Glass Eggs

• Fresh, unwashed eggs – straight from my backyard! I store my extra eggs on my counter until I am ready to preserve them
• Food-grade pickling lime – is a type of food-grade calcium hydroxide to preserve food
• Clean, food-safe storage container – I prefer to use wide-mouth half gallon sized Ball jars with reusable screw-top plastic lids
• Filtered or distilled water – I use water straight from my faucet
• Measuring cup & spoon
• Digital measuring scale – this is necessary so you can measure out 1 ounce. If you have another measuring method, feel free to use that!

Video Tutorial

In this video, I take you step by step through the entire process, from gathering unwashed eggs to mixing the lime solution and storing the jars. Whether you’re a backyard chicken keeper or just looking for a reliable way to store unwashed eggs long-term, this method is a game changer!

Steps to Water Glass Eggs with Pickling Lime

1. Measure the Water: Fill a measuring cup with 4 cups of water
2. Weigh the Pickling Lime: Place a small bowl on a digital scale, tare it out to zero, and measure 1 ounce of pickling lime
3. Mix the Solution: Pour the pickling lime into the water and stir well with a whisk until fully dissolved
4. Place Eggs in Jar:
   • Add clean, unwashed eggs to a wide-mouth half-gallon jar
   • Make sure they are free from straw, dirt, or poop (do not wash them—just ensure they are clean)
   • Place the eggs pointy side up if possible and continue adding until the jar is full
5. Add the Pickling Lime: Slowly pour the pickling lime water into the jar until it reaches the top of the jar rim and fully covers the eggs
6. Seal and Store:
   • Screw on a reusable lid to secure the jar
   • Store the jar in a dry, dark, and cool place until you’re ready to use the eggs

Your water-glassed eggs are now preserved and will stay fresh for months!

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Storing Water Glassed Eggs

Once your eggs are preserved in pickling lime, proper storage is key to keeping them fresh for months. The best place to store your jars is in a cool, dark, and draft-free space—like a pantry, basement, or storage room. I keep mine in my canning pantry, where they stay protected from light and temperature fluctuations.

💡 Tip: Avoid areas with direct sunlight or extreme temperature changes, as this can affect the preservation process.

How to Use Water Glassed Eggs

Using water glassed eggs is super simple! When you’re ready to cook or bake, just remove an egg from the jar, rinse it under cool water, and use it as you normally would. These preserved eggs work great for scrambling, frying, baking, and even making homemade eggnog.

💡 Tip: Since water glassed eggs aren’t cooked or pasteurized, they’re best used for cooked recipes rather than raw applications like meringue or homemade mayo. If you’re unsure, you can always do the float test—fresh eggs will sink, while bad eggs float to the top.

Water glassing eggs with pickling lime has been a total game-changer for my backyard flock! Now, I don’t worry as much about running out of fresh eggs in the winter when my hens take their seasonal break. It’s such an easy, budget-friendly way to keep farm-fresh eggs on hand for baking, cooking, and all my holiday recipes.

If you have backyard chickens and want to make the most of your eggs year-round, I highly recommend trying this method. Have questions? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to help!

For more backyard chicken tips, check out these helpful posts:
🐓 Best Backyard Chicken Breeds for Beginners | Friendly & Reliable Layers
🥶 How To Insulate A Chicken Coop for Wind, Rain and Snow
🏠 How to Set Up a Backyard Chicken Coop | Beginner’s Guide
🪵 Backyard Chicken Regulations & City Ordinances: What You Need To Know Before Getting Chickens