Toilets are modern-day essential sanitary hardware for human waste. However, they are not great at disposing of certain household products.
Flushing down items other than human waste can potentially clog your drainage system, contaminate water, or even cause environmental pollution.
In this article, we will see if it is safe to flush eggs down the toilet and what can we do with discarded egg yolks.
Is It Okay To Flush Eggs Down The Toilet?
Yes, egg yolks can safely go down the toilet. However, you should avoid flushing dangerous substances, as they will always end up at your local wastewater treatment plant.
Always wash the egg yolks with lots of water to avoid leaving egg traces. You can also add a few drops of liquid soap or cleanser on any potential polluting item to prevent contamination of the subsequent use.
Meanwhile, you avoid washing egg yolks with hot water if you plan to flush them down your toilet
Can You Flush Egg Shells Down The Toilet?
No, you should never flush egg shells down the toilet. Shells can potentially damage your drain system. Even worse, you might be forced to replace the whole drain section with a new one.
A good rule of thumb is to dispose of egg shells onto a trash can even if your sink has disposal attached to it.
Egg shells tend to bind with fats and oils, which can cause blockage in your pipes.
Can You Throw Egg Yolks Down The Kitchen Sink?
Yes, you can dispose of egg yolks down the kitchen sink. However, run enough water to remove any remaining traces.
Wash the sink with soap or cleanser to avoid contamination afterward.
You should also avoid using hot water to wash down egg yolks: they could clog and damage your pipes.
Can You Put Raw Eggs Into The Garbage Disposal?
Yes, raw eggs are safe for garbage disposal. Simply crack your eggs and let the contents down the drain. Meanwhile, the shells should go into the garbage disposal or trash can. This is the most recommended method for disposing of rotten eggs.
According to the FDA rules on egg storage, hard-boiled eggs should be used within seven days after cooking and frozen for up to a year. However, they recommend disposing of eggs that have developed odd colors or smells, even if their expiration date hasn’t elapsed.
What Should I Do With Discarded Egg Yolks?
Plenty of recipes can be developed using leftover egg yolks. However, note that egg yolks don’t freeze well and will dry out after a day of refrigeration.
To prevent drying, put the yolk in water and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. That way, you’ll have extended its shelf life by a day or two.
Alternatively, you can keep the yolks in water and remove them carefully when you’re ready to use them.
You can prepare the following delicacies using egg yolk:
1. Prepare Hollandaise sauce
This delicious hollandaise sauce uses leftover egg yolks and comes together in minutes. Sprinkle it over a slice of bacon, toasted muffin, and a poached egg to break the overnight fasting period.
2. Try Preparing Ground Beef Wellington
Are you wondering what to do with that one large piece of egg yolk stuck in your fridge? Prepare this delicious ground beef wellington with a side of veggie. This is an excellent recipe to try when a friend stops by for lunch or dinner.
3. Get Your Family Classic Crème Brûlée
This dessert comes perfectly with only five ingredients and fits any function. You can have it for a weeknight dinner, especially when you feel like you don’t want to do much in the kitchen.
4. Cook Homemade Mayo
You don’t have to go through the hassle of buying mayo when you have leftover egg yolks in the fridge. This recipe calls for ingredients that you probably have in your pantry. To make this homemade mayo, you need salt, water, pepper, olive oil, lemon extract, and egg yolks.
5. Bake Muenster Bread
Muenster bread comes perfectly in a few simple steps, and it’s a perfect recipe for homemade bread lovers. Serve with a side of your favorite beverage for an ultimate breakfast.
6. Prepare Macaroon Cake
Nothing completes a party like a seasoned macaroon cake. This recipe calls for egg whites, egg yolks, and a few other ingredients.
Dress it with confectioners’ sugar to bring back childhood memories from your macaroon cake.
7. Get Your Hands on Some Fresh Peaches
Fresh peaches are fascinating, and if you’ve ever had your hands on them, you can be sure to try this cobbler peach recipe.
You only need egg yolks and a few other ingredients to make this crust. This is a great summer treat that will keep your family coming back for more.
8. Prepare Some Egg Noodles for Dinner
Noodle lovers can attest that this is the perfect recipe to utilize those egg yolks stuck in your refrigerator. This recipe makes an excellent dinner for busy weeknights.
9. Prepare Mandarin Salad
Pairing salads with egg yolks might seem odd, but the result is tasty. Serve chilled with a side of broccoli, mushroom, or any of your favorite veggies. This mandarin salad is best served on special occasions or even lunch.
10. Cook Chocolate Mousse
Lastly, you can utilize your leftover egg yolks for this creamy, delicious treat. Dress it with whipped cream and fruit toppings for an ultimate dessert. This recipe requires egg yolks, water, sugar, whipping cream, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips.
What Can You Do With Old Eggs?
Before disposing of old eggs, you should do a float test on them. Fresh eggs will often sink to the base while expired eggs float.
Break the egg and pour the contents on the drain. If the egg floats, it’s no longer safe and should be disposed of immediately. Toss the shell in the garbage disposal or use it as fertilizer.
Never give pets spoilt eggs, which could lead to stomach problems. Also, note that the expiry date printed on the egg packaging might differ from the actual state of your eggs.
Occasionally, eggs will last past their expiry or even expire faster than anticipated. However, most stamps will always indicate a 30-day period which means the eggs could stay an extra week past what the farmers recommend.
Eggs will stay for about 4 to 5 weeks in the fridge when properly stored.
Expiry date stamped on eggs for food safety reasons, as with any product. Remember that the printed date is flexible, and it will always take a few days before a food item can deteriorate ultimately. And because nothing goes bad suddenly, performing a float test on your eggs is of utmost importance.
Using Old Eggs as Fertilizer
Now that you know how to use expired eggs, let’s go deeper into how you can utilize them as fertilizer. As you already know, rotten eggs are unsafe for human consumption and pets. They produce a foul smell and can make you sick when eaten.
Whether fresh or old, eggs are packed with calcium and protein. For this reason, they shouldn’t be disposed of in the garbage disposal but instead fed to chickens.
Remember to cook the eggs before feeding the chicken.
If the eggs are rotten and stinky, utilize them for garden use. The shell is rich in calcium, which increases the plant’s overall productivity. Meanwhile, do not feed rotten eggs to chickens as this could make them sick.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can You Flush Egg Yolks?
Yes, you can flush egg yolks down the drain. However, they can also get trapped with other items in the drain. While egg yolks are safe to go down the drain, dispose of the shell, and any other waste in the trash.
2. How Do You Properly Dispose Of Old Eggs?
Just crack the eggs and pour the content down the drain. Do not put eggshells into the drain, as this could potentially clog and damage your drainage system.
The best way to dispose of the outer layers is by composting them or putting them in the garbage disposal. You can also use them as fertilizers in your kitchen garden.
3. Should I throw egg yolks?
No, it’s never a good idea to throw away egg yolks. Even though it’s true that egg yolks are high in cholesterol, there’s no solid information that says you should eat all the other parts of an egg and throw egg yolks unless advised by a nutritionist.
4. How Long Do Egg Yolks Last?
Egg yolks can stay for two days in the fridge. However, due to their tendency to dry out, egg yolks are best kept in airtight containers or food bags without the excess air in them.
5. What Happens If I Eat Expired Eggs?
In most cases, you’ll suffer from salmonella poisoning. And because salmonella accumulates over time, older eggs may contain more of it.
If you accidentally eat expired eggs, check out for salmonella poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, chills, and stomach pains.