Simple Ways To Stop Eggs From Smelling In Your Lunch Box - WikiHow

Home » Why Do Boiled Eggs Stink » Simple Ways To Stop Eggs From Smelling In Your Lunch Box - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Keep Hard-Boiled Eggs from Smelling PDF download Download Article Prepare and pack your eggs so they don’t cause a stink! Co-authored by Leslie Chartier and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: June 16, 2025 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article
  • Preventing Odors
    • |
  • Why do they smell?
    • |
  • How to Boil Eggs
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Leslie Chartier and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Leslie Chartier is a Personal Chef and the Owner and Founder of The Travelling Cafe based in North Carolina. Leslie is a skilled culinary instructor, prior restauranteur, and avid traveler. The Travelling Cafe specializes in bringing inclusion into culinary experiences with food for different diets, restrictions, and cultures. Through her business, Leslie employs and manages a team of chefs who put on events throughout the Triangle region of North Carolina. Leslie and her team offer prepared meals, chef services for special events and dinner parties, and cooking classes and events. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 70,431 times.

Packed full of protein and nutrients, hard-boiled eggs are a perfect addition to any lunchbox meal! But, they absolutely stink. Is there a way to prevent your lunchbox or fridge from smelling like eggs? Luckily, there is! We compiled all the best tricks below to help stop that sulfurous smell from stinking up your day. Plus, we even know why hard-boiled eggs smell, so keep reading to learn more!

How do you prevent hard-boiled eggs from smelling?

Prevent hard-boiled eggs from smelling by boiling them in a vinegar-water bath, not overcooking them, and storing them with the shells intact. You can also help keep your lunchbox and fridge smell-free by storing the eggs in separate containers and wrapping them in cling wrap.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

How to Prevent Hard-Boiled Eggs from Smelling

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Boil eggs in water with a splash of vinegar. 1 Boil eggs in water with a splash of vinegar. One of the best ways to prevent hard-boiled eggs from smelling is to add a small amount of vinegar to the boiling water when making them. When you add cold water over your eggs, pour a little bit of vinegar into the pot as well. The vinegar helps neutralize any smells without changing the consistency or texture of your eggs.
    • No need to measure out the vinegar! Simply pour a small amount into the water.
    • Some also say adding vinegar to the water helps make hard-boiled eggs easier to peel.[1]
  2. Step 2 Leave hard-boiled eggs in their shells until you’re ready to eat them. 2 Leave hard-boiled eggs in their shells until you’re ready to eat them. This hack can help contain some of the eggy smell that hard-boiled eggs are notorious for. Even with a perfectly cooked egg, there can still be a slight odor.[2]
    • If you do peel your eggs ahead of time, keep them in a bowl of cold water in the fridge to help prevent smells. Just remember to change out the water daily.
    Advertisement
  3. 3 Seal in odors by wrapping the hard-boiled eggs in cling wrap. Wrap your hard-boiled eggs in cling wrap to keep their odors contained. Think of the cling wrap as a forcefield around your eggs—no odor can get in or out. Once wrapped, they can be stored in your lunchbox or fridge with minimal odors.
    • This can be done before or after peeling, but the egg should be consumed the day of if peeled.[3]
    • Avoid wrapping the eggs too tightly, as this could promote yeast growth.[4]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Stop Eggs from Smelling in Your Lunch Box 4 Wrap the boiled egg in a cloth napkin to keep it from cracking. An accidental crack could make your lunchbox or refrigerator smell like eggs. Wrap the egg in a clean cloth to help prevent any accidental cracks and odor leakage.[5]
    • If you’re on the go, you may not have access to a waste bin when you finish eating. At the end of your meal, wrap the discarded eggshell in the napkin so it doesn’t get all over your lunchbox.
  5. Step 5 Store hard-boiled eggs in a separate container outside of your lunchbox. 5 Store hard-boiled eggs in a separate container outside of your lunchbox. If you’re packing hard-boiled eggs for lunch, consider placing them in a separate container or bag from the rest of your lunch. This way, your lunchbox and other foods won’t soak up the smell.
    • Double-decker lunchboxes can be a great solution to keeping your eggs cold on the go without stinking up the rest of your food.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Stop Eggs from Smelling in Your Lunch Box 6 Keep your lunchbox in the fridge until it’s time to eat. If you’re storing your eggs in a lunchbox to bring somewhere later, store the lunchbox in a fridge until you’re ready to eat. This may not always be possible, but the best way to keep your eggs safe and to prevent that weird eggy smell is to keep them cold. After you pack your lunchbox, stick it back into the fridge until you have to leave home. When you get to work or school, find out if there is a fridge you can use to store your lunchbox.
    • If there are other parts of your lunch that you don’t want to get too cold, put the eggs in a resealable plastic container or baggie. This way, you can move them in and out of the fridge separate from the rest of your lunchbox.
  7. Step 7 Use an ice pack if you won’t be able to put your lunchbox in the fridge. 7 Use an ice pack if you won’t be able to put your lunchbox in the fridge. This is especially important if your lunchbox will be at room temperature for more than 2 hours before you can eat. The ice pack will keep the egg (and the rest of your food) safe, and it should help prevent it from smelling too strongly.[6]
    • Hard-boiled eggs shouldn’t be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.[7]
  8. 8 Store hard-boiled eggs in a loosely covered container in the fridge to prevent bacteria. While this isn’t the best way to prevent odors from leaking into your refrigerator, it’ll help keep your eggs as fresh as possible. Hard-boiled eggs can last up to 7 days in the fridge if stored properly. Experts recommend storing hard-boiled eggs in a loosely covered container, rather than something airtight, to prevent bacterial growth.[8]
    • If you peel your eggs, aim to consume them within the day.
    9. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Why do hard-boiled eggs smell?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hard-boiled eggs smell when they’re overcooked. Hard-boiled eggs smell when they’re overcooked. The sulfurous, “rotten egg” smell hard-boiled eggs often get is because of a chemical reaction that occurs when they’re boiled for too long. If a hard-boiled egg is overcooked, the sulfur in the egg whites will react with the iron in the yolks, creating a foul, gaseous smell. [9]
    • If your hard-boiled eggs are overcooked, a greenish-gray ring will be present around the yolk when the egg is cut in half.[10]
    • The best way to prevent hard-boiled eggs from smelling is to avoid overcooking them. Experiment with the boiling time of your eggs and consider using a lower cooking temperature.
Section 3 of 3:

How to Boil Eggs So They Don’t Smell

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Choose eggs that have been in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. 1 Choose eggs that have been in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. Super fresh eggs are full of moisture, and that makes them harder to peel. As the eggs get older, they lose moisture through their shells, creating a bigger pocket of air at the top. This pocket of air can make the peeling process a bit easier.[11]
    • How easy the eggs are to peel doesn’t have much to do with whether or not they’ll smell, but it does make life easier when you’re ready to eat!
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Stop Eggs from Smelling in Your Lunch Box 2 Place the eggs in a single layer at the bottom of an empty pot. Avoid stacking the eggs on top of each other. Keeping the eggs in a single layer helps them cook more evenly. If they’re too crowded, you might get some eggs that are overcooked and others that are undercooked. If you have too many eggs to cook at once, work in batches or switch to a bigger pot.[12]
    • Ideally, you want enough space for water to surround each egg on every side.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Stop Eggs from Smelling in Your Lunch Box 3 Add cold water to the pot until the eggs are covered by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Don’t use warm, hot, or boiling water. To get the best results, start with cold water that you’ll then bring to a boil. You don’t need to fill the pot with water, either. Just enough to cover the eggs from top to bottom is perfect.[13]
    • Some experts say that you should boil the water first before putting in the eggs, while others claim that the cold-water method is the best. If you’re curious, try it both ways and see which way you prefer!
    • Using the right amount of water is an important part of cooking the eggs. If there’s too much water, it’ll take longer to come to a boil, meaning that the eggs will cook for a lot longer than they need to. Overcooked eggs are more likely to give off a sulfurous scent.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Stop Eggs from Smelling in Your Lunch Box 4 Bring the water to a boil, then remove the pot from the burner. Use high heat and keep a close eye on the pot during this stage. While you want the water to boil, you don’t want the eggs to stand in the boiling water for too long. The sulfurous smell often comes from eggs that get overcooked during this step.[14]
    • Eggs that are cooked for too long or at too high a temperature develop a green ring around the yolk.[15] This ring causes that eggy smell.[16]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Stop Eggs from Smelling in Your Lunch Box 5 Put the lid on the pan and leave the eggs alone for 10 minutes. Set a timer for 10 minutes—it’s really important that you don’t overcook the eggs if you want to keep them from smelling. The 10-minute cook time is assuming that you’re working with large eggs and want a firm yet creamy yolk.[17] If your eggs are a different size, adjust the cook-time accordingly:
    • Cook extra-large eggs for 15 minutes.
    • Cook medium-sized eggs for 9 minutes.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Stop Eggs from Smelling in Your Lunch Box 6 Finish by placing the eggs in an ice bath for 1-2 minutes. Stop the eggs from cooking further by immediately submerging them in a bowl of cold water and ice cubes for 1-2 minutes.[18] Stopping the eggs from continuing to cook is important for preventing a future smell. Because they’re so hot, the eggs would continue to cook even after being removed from the pot. Cold water stops the cooking process entirely.
    • Looking for more tips on how to boil eggs? See what readers suggest on the “How do you make the perfect hard boiled egg?” forum page!

    Warning: Be careful when removing the eggs from the pot. Use a slotted spoon or ladle so that you don’t accidentally burn yourself.

    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question How long can I keep hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator? WikiCloudJumper763 WikiCloudJumper763 Community Answer You can keep hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator for up to a week. Beyond that, they may spoil, as eggs are perishable, especially after cooking. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • Aim to eat hard-boiled eggs within 7 days of preparing them.[19] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Make peeling hard-boiled eggs easier by cracking the surface and then holding it under running water while you peel. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • For the best consistency, avoid freezing hard-boiled eggs. They tend to get a weird consistency and release a lot of water when they’re thawed.[20] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How toStore Boiled Eggs Hard Boil an EggHow to Hard Boil an Egg That’s Easily Peeled Cook Hard Boiled Eggs Without CrackingThe Best Way to Cook Hard Boiled Eggs So They Don’t Crack How to Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs Every Time Boil an Egg So That It Peels EasilyHow to Boil Eggs So They’re Easy to Peel The Best Ways to Peel a Hard Boiled Egg Like a Pro Hardboil Eggs in a MicrowaveCan You Hard Boil Eggs in a Microwave? The Best Ways to Warm Up a Boiled Egg Tell When an Egg Is BoiledHow toTell When an Egg Is Boiled Boil an Egg in an Electric KettleHow toBoil an Egg in an Electric Kettle How Do You Make The Perfect Hard Boiled EggDiscussionHow do you make the perfect hard boiled egg? Peel an EggHow toPeel an Egg Collect Chicken EggsHow toCollect Chicken Eggs Use an Egg BoilerHow to Use an Egg Cooker to Boil, Poach, & Cook Eggs Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/kittencals-technique-for-perfect-easy-peel-hard-boiled-eggs-259573
  2. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/eggs2.htm
  3. ↑ https://www.incredibleegg.org/egg-handling-storage-tips/#egg-handling
  4. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-long-can-hard-boiled-eggs-sit-out-11703105#toc-how-to-store-hard-boiled-eggs
  5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-way-to-bring-a-hard-boiled-egg-for-lunch-260412
  6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/lunch-box-food-safety-tips-260081
  7. ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-hard-cooked-eggs
  8. ↑ https://www.incredibleegg.org/egg-handling-storage-tips/#egg-handling
  9. ↑ https://fshn.illinois.edu/news/solved-heres-why-your-hard-boiled-eggs-have-green-yolks
More References (11)
  1. ↑ https://food.unl.edu/how-avoid-green-ring-hard-boiled-egg-yolks/
  2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-boil-eggs-perfectly-every-time-video-202415
  3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/5-mistakes-to-avoid-when-making-hard-boiled-eggs-cooking-mistakes-to-avoid-216999
  4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/5-mistakes-to-avoid-when-making-hard-boiled-eggs-cooking-mistakes-to-avoid-216999
  5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-boil-eggs-perfectly-every-time-video-202415
  6. ↑ https://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/scibytes/why_do_eggs_hardboil/
  7. ↑ https://www.jessicagavin.com/overcooked-hard-boiled-eggs/
  8. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-boil-eggs-perfectly-every-time-video-202415
  9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/5-mistakes-to-avoid-when-making-hard-boiled-eggs-cooking-mistakes-to-avoid-216999
  10. ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-hard-cooked-eggs
  11. ↑ https://www.incredibleegg.org/recipes/cooking-school/can-i-freeze-eggs/

About This Article

Leslie Chartier Co-authored by: Leslie Chartier Executive Personal Chef This article was co-authored by Leslie Chartier and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Leslie Chartier is a Personal Chef and the Owner and Founder of The Travelling Cafe based in North Carolina. Leslie is a skilled culinary instructor, prior restauranteur, and avid traveler. The Travelling Cafe specializes in bringing inclusion into culinary experiences with food for different diets, restrictions, and cultures. Through her business, Leslie employs and manages a team of chefs who put on events throughout the Triangle region of North Carolina. Leslie and her team offer prepared meals, chef services for special events and dinner parties, and cooking classes and events. This article has been viewed 70,431 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 7 Updated: June 16, 2025 Views: 70,431 Categories: Food Preparation In other languages Spanish Portuguese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 70,431 times. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Leslie Chartier Co-authored by: Leslie Chartier Executive Personal Chef Click a star to vote Co-authors: 7 Updated: June 16, 2025 Views: 70,431

Quizzes & Games

Is Your Egg Bad?Is Your Egg Bad?Do I Smell Bad QuizDo I Smell Bad QuizTake QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizTake QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizHow Well Do You Know Gen Alpha Slang QuizHow Well Do You Know Gen Alpha Slang QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Store Boiled EggsHow toStore Boiled EggsHard Boil an EggHow to Hard Boil an Egg That’s Easily PeeledCook Hard Boiled Eggs Without CrackingThe Best Way to Cook Hard Boiled Eggs So They Don’t CrackBoil EggsHow to Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs Every Time

Featured Articles

What Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)What Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & Icebreakers110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?How Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse? Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)

Trending Articles

Make OutHow toMake OutWhat Song Was #1 On My Birthday?What Song Was #1 On My Birthday?How Many People Had a Crush on Me This Year? Find Out HereHow Many People Had a Crush on Me This Year? Find Out HereBest Personality TestBest Personality TestDo I Have Common Sense QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizDaily Horoscope (All Signs): What Do The Stars Predict Today?✩⟡˚₊‧Daily Horoscope (All Signs): What Do The Stars Predict Today?✩⟡˚₊‧

Featured Articles

What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerWhat Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasExercise Your BrainHow toExercise Your BrainBe a Fun Person to Hang out WithHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out WithWhat Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?What Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?

Featured Articles

Develop Productive HabitsHow toDevelop Productive HabitsPractice Self CareHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?What Song Matches Your Life Right Now?Your 2026 Vision: What Does Next Year Hold?Your 2026 Vision: What Does Next Year Hold?Understanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)Understanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)Type A B C D Personality TestType A B C D Personality Test

Watch Articles

Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink (& Keep It Clean)How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink (& Keep It Clean) Curl Your Hair: 8 Easy & Quick WaysHow to Curl Your Hair: 8 Easy & Quick WaysThicken Sauce with FlourHow toThicken Sauce with Flour Brighten Up White Shirts and Other GarmentsHow to Brighten Up White Shirts and Other Garments Cook White Rice without a Rice CookerHow to Cook White Rice without a Rice Cooker Clean Out the Inside of a Glass Bottle (With or Without a Brush)How to Clean Out the Inside of a Glass Bottle (With or Without a Brush)

Trending Articles

Compatibility TestCompatibility TestWhat Am I Craving QuizWhat Am I Craving Quiz150 Unique & Sentimental Ways to Say “Happy New Year”150 Unique & Sentimental Ways to Say “Happy New Year”30+ New Year’s Eve Games to Keep Your NYE Party Going30+ New Year’s Eve Games to Keep Your NYE Party GoingWhich Hogwarts House Do You Truly Belong In?Which Hogwarts House Do You Truly Belong In?Toxic Family TestToxic Family Test

Quizzes & Games

Am I a Picky Eater QuizAm I a Picky Eater QuizTake QuizAm I Annoying QuizAm I Annoying QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Eat for Lunch QuizWhat Should I Eat for Lunch QuizTake QuizThe Impossible QuizThe Impossible QuizTake QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhy Am I So Bloated QuizWhy Am I So Bloated QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Food and Entertaining
  • Food Preparation
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go! X --579

Tag » Why Do Boiled Eggs Stink