Food & Nutrition

Don’t Store Eggs in the Fridge Door — Here’s Where to Keep Them

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Where should you store eggs? Definitely not on the refrigerator door.

Researchers warn that storing eggs on the refrigerator door is a mistake. Yet most people do it.

Adam Oakley, a British food expert, explained where eggs are best stored.

It might seem logical to use the designated egg compartments in refrigerator doors — so why look for another spot?

Oakley says the door is far from ideal. Mainly because it increases the risk of contamination and breakage, the Daily Mail reports. The door also experiences ‘constant temperature fluctuations due to regular opening and closing,’ he noted.

“This unstable environment creates conditions for bacteria to thrive, which weakens the egg’s natural protective barrier and accelerates spoilage,” Adam Oakley pointed out.

Where should you store eggs? Definitely not on the refrigerator door.

So where should they be placed?

The expert says eggs should be stored not in the door but at the back of the refrigerator’s middle shelf. The constant temperature in this area is typically below 2 °C, which, according to Mr. Oakley, is crucial for maintaining egg freshness.

But storing eggs on the middle shelf can expose them to odors from other foods. Oakley says keeping them in a covered container or in their original cardboard carton prevents that. “This will help maintain the quality of the product and keep your refrigerator organized,” he added.

For those who don’t keep eggs in the refrigerator at all, Oakley strongly recommends switching to refrigeration. “Eggs stored at room temperature start to lose quality within just a few days, especially in warm climates,” he said. In the refrigerator, eggs can stay fresh for 3 to 5 weeks.

However, even in the refrigerator, they shouldn’t be kept too long. “While refrigeration significantly extends shelf life, it’s always best to consume eggs within a few weeks,” said Adam Oakley.

Where should you store eggs? Definitely not on the refrigerator door.

How to keep eggs fresh for as long as possible?

The expert also shared several tips to help keep eggs fresh longer.

  • Keep them in their original cardboard packaging or a container to provide a protective barrier.
  • Do not wash eggs before storing them, as this removes their natural coating and makes them more susceptible to bacteria.
  • Store eggs with the pointed end down to keep the yolk centered.
  • Keep them as far away from strongly scented foods as possible to prevent the absorption of unwanted odors.

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