What will happen if I leave out hardboiled eggs in water for four weeks?
Stupid me forgot to take out two, unpeeled hard boiled eggs still in the water before leaving on a 4-week long vacation.
If I just leave them be, will they stink up my apartment with that terrible rotten egg smell they use in fart packs?
Condo management is going to be entering my (rented) unit to test the fire alarm in about a week - would it have stunk up my apartment then?
The only person with the keys is the landlord (who lives far away) and the management. It'd be embarrassing to ask either to dispose of my eggs.
Best Answer
If you boiled the eggs but left them in the pot of water, you may be in luck. The shell should keep the rotten egg safe from cracking and exposing the apartment to the truly rancid smell of spoilt eggs, assuming they haven't cracked during boiling.
You will know a spoiled egg when you crack open the shell. Whether raw or cooked, a spoiled egg will have an unpleasant odor. No question about it: throw it out. - Net Wellness
What you will probably find when you get home are unmolested eggs in a stagnant pot of water. Throw the eggs out if they haven't cracked. They WILL be spoilt. This answer describes why.
According to the USDA (similar information can be found from other food agencies):
Why do hard-cooked eggs spoil faster than fresh eggs?
When shell eggs are hard cooked, the protective coating is washed away, leaving bare the pores in the shell for bacteria to enter and contaminate it. Hard-cooked eggs should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking and used within a week.
Simply put, you're damaging the shell, and that expedites spoilage.
If you're unlucky and the eggs did crack...well, the water might absorb some of the scent, but after four weeks, you're still likely going to have some odor. Throw the eggs out, pour the water out, throughly clean the pot, and try to air your apartment out as best you can.
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How long can hard-boiled eggs sit in water?
Peeled hard boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator in a bowl of cold water to cover for about 1 week (change the water daily).What happens if you leave hard-boiled eggs in water too long?
The interior of an egg is protected by the shell and several membranes, but if the egg spent enough time bobbing in turbulent, bubbling water, the physical stress on the egg \u2014 the shell, the white and the yolk \u2014 may eventually cause it to crumble and fragment.Can you eat 3 week old hard-boiled eggs?
While this might affect the texture and mouthfeel, it's safe to eat. Hard-boiled eggs can be kept for 1 week in your refrigerator. If the egg develops an unmistakable odor or slimy or chalky texture, discard it, as eating spoiled eggs can make you sick.Can you leave eggs sitting in water?
-- Never let eggs sit in water. Once the temperature equalizes the egg can absorb contaminants out of the water. -- Dry and refrigerate eggs quickly after washing. If eggs are stored properly .What Happens When You Overcook Eggs?
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