Duck School · Eggs
4 min guide
How to Store Duck Eggs and Check Freshness
A clear UK guide to keeping duck eggs safely until you are ready to cook them.
Fresh duck eggs are best treated simply: keep them clean, cool, dry and protected from cross-contamination. The date on the supplied box comes first - do not rely on a home test alone to decide whether an egg is safe.
Keep eggs cool, dry and stable
Store eggs in a cool, dry place, ideally in the fridge, and avoid big temperature changes. Keep them in the supplied box or another clean container that protects the shells.
Use the date and condition first
Check the best-before date and the shell. Do not use eggs that are cracked, dirty, damaged or past the date. A float test may suggest age, but it cannot tell you whether an egg is safe.
Keep raw egg away from ready-to-eat food
Wash and dry hands after handling eggs or shells, clean equipment and surfaces, and use cooked egg dishes promptly or chill them quickly.
Quick answers
The questions people ask most.
How long do duck eggs last in the fridge?
Follow the best-before date on the box supplied with your eggs. Do not use an egg beyond that date, even if it looks or smells normal.
Do duck eggs need to go in the fridge?
UK food-safety guidance says eggs should be stored in a cool, dry place and ideally kept refrigerated until use.
Can I use the egg float test?
It can give an idea of age, but it is not a food-safety test. Check the date and the shell condition instead, and cook duck eggs thoroughly.