Eggs shells, surely there is a better way...

roblrich · Sat Mar 11, 2006 3:35 pm

I asked for egg shells from a couple of relatives, and boy did I get them. Actually, one relative had a friend that owns a family restaurant and they saved a few days worth for me. Now I have four large fry cases full of egg shells. Plenty to last me all season I would think. Don't know, I always used crushed oyster shell before.

I started preparing them the way we all usually do I guess, rinse then bake in the oven for several minutes. But it is taking forever rinsing this many.

So I was wondering. What if I take these shells outside (as I have a huge pot I can place over a camp fire, fill it with water and bring it to a boil) and pour all these shells in it and boil them? Would boiling them suffice as well as rinsing and baking?

What'dya think?

roblrich · Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:05 pm

OK, I don't think boiling will work. I mentioned it to my wife, and let me see if I can quote her.

"You dummy! If you boil them, you will be cooking any egg product still attached to the shells...which is the purpose of rinsing it off. And after they are boiled, you would still have wet egg shells which would have cooked egg on them which would spoil and possibly harm anyone or anything that consumed it".

Guess I'll just rinse each and every shell by hand TOMORROW. That is unless someone has a better idea.

iluvbirds · Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:53 pm

Robert, it seems like I read on here one time that someone said to put them in a pillowcase, and throw them into the washing machine, (do not add detergent) and then dry them in the dryer. Thats supposed to break them up. I've never tried this, but if you have a bunch of them, thats what I would do.

Joe Zorn · Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:16 pm

Robert,

This is going to sound stupid, but in other applications it works well enough. Are there any ant hills on your property? Might be too early in the year, yet.

But ants would make short order of ANY food product you leave for them.

I've seen skeletal remains of fish, shark, and other animals "cleaned" in this manner. Bit it might take a while with that many egg shells.

Shortly after that, leave the ants a meal of AMDRO, so they don't hang around, waiting for your babies to break their necks when they fall out of their nest!

Daniel Airola · Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:47 am

When I visited Tom Mills in Ontario, Canada, I think he said he put the eggshes in a nylon net bag and stuck them in the dishwasher. He said it was pretty easy. Tom - if you see this and I am wrong, please correct me.

But also with the ease, cheapness, and effectiveness of crushed oyster shell, why not just use that I think it comes ground coarse or fine, and you want to use fine for oysters. Others know more about this, I am sure.

Daniel Airola · Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:48 am

Obviously, I am too sleepy tonight. I meant use fine oyster shells for martins.

Guest · Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:44 am

Organic gardeners are aware, of oyster shell meal as provided, by their suppliers. Oyster shell meal is about the consistancy, of course corn meal or oatmeal. My supplier is Fertrell. They are national distributors and are online.

roblrich · Sun Mar 12, 2006 5:30 pm

Thanks Pat, I think I have also read that a couple of years or so ago. I'll try that.

Oh, I still have crushed oyster shell left over from last year. But I wanted to offer some egg shell this season also. I have heard the martins prefer them. We shall see.

Thanks for the replies.

Dale Hrncirik · Sun Mar 12, 2006 6:57 pm

Robert,

It seems like the martins prefer egg shells over oyster shells but lately I've given them what is easiest...that being oyster shells purchased from the feed store. I prefer tenderloin but I don't always get it

In fact I rarely get it

)

Take care,
Dale

Guest · Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:26 pm

Dale,
Krogers has pork tenderloin on sale this week!!!

Also ribeyes....... I'll let you know what they taste like in about 20 minutes

Chuck

roblrich · Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:31 pm

c_chambersll wrote:Dale,
Krogers has pork tenderloin on sale this week!!! ....... I'll let you know what they taste like in about 20 minutes

Chuck

Now you did it Chuck! You just offended the Muslims and the Jews.

Guest · Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:52 pm

Rob,
I've never seen one with a PM setup!!! BTW, see ya in three more days

Chuck

iluvbirds · Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:15 pm

Hey Robert, If you try the washing machine method, let us know how they turn out....

Guest · Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:28 pm

I have used the washing machine method and it was great! Just put them in the pillow case, tie it shut, wash in hot water with no detergent and then put in the dryer....and walaaaa! You have cleaned crushed eggshells!

Dale Hrncirik · Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:41 pm

Guys,

I'm partial to Beef Tenderloin and Pork baby back ribs. Please let me know if you find a good sale on either. I'll also settle for a porterhouse or a good T-bone. Thanks,

Dale

iluvbirds · Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:29 pm

Rhonda, thanks so much for posting that! I was wondering if it was a good method to use. We don't eat enough eggs around here to try it. I have just always rinsed them out after I cracked them....

Guest · Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:23 am

Pat, we don't eat enough eggs either, but what I did was take a bucket lined with a garbage bag to a local breakfast place, asked them if they would just throw the eggs shells in there for me and I would come back in 3 hours to get them...they said sure no problem...when I returned I found my bucket full, took it home dumped them in the pillow case and then to the washing machine and dryer. It was easy.
Rhonda

frank arendt · Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:56 am

Good grief!! What a lot of work for such a simple process!!!PUT THEM IN A MICROWAVE FOR 45 SECONDS,WITH A CLOTH OVER THEM CASE THE EXPLODE,COOL THEM,PUT IN PLASTIC BAG AND YOU'RE DONE!!!!!

roblrich · Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:28 pm

Wrong Frank. They have to be rinsed some how, or the residue egg product of the shell will be cooked and then spoil. Also, I don't think I am going to be able to fit 4 large boxes full I got from a local restaurant in the microwave! And after you rinse them by hand and put a few in the microwave over and over, that would take forever.

The reason for the thread to begin with questioned, "when you have so many, there has to be a better way".

The best method I have read was presented by Pat, then seconded with experience from Rhonda. Thanks for the great idea Pat & Rhonda. I am going to try to get to them today.

roblrich · Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:18 pm

Hey guys, it worked! I am done. Just a 10 min wash cycle, and popped them in the dryer. I was able to do 4 large boxes with two pillow cases. Wow, and to think I almost hand rinsed all those shells.

I guess unless the pillow case rips or something, this is a great method. Glad that task is over. Hope the wife doesn't mind losing two pillow cases. But it's always easier getting forgiveness than permission.