HELOISE Leave eggs in carton for safekeeping

Dear Heloise: Regarding a recent inquiry in your column about taking eggs out of the carton and putting them in an egg-sectioned container in the refrigerator:
I thought for sure you would address the subject of the expiration date -- in other words, if the eggs are out of the carton, how will you know if they are expired? Or if you purchase a new carton and mixed them in with the existing eggs, how will you know which ones expire first?
Well, just like your other reader, my mom would take the eggs out of the carton as well, but she would simply take a basic No. 2 pencil and write the expiration date on the eggshell.
Another helpful hint: If some of the eggs are hard-boiled, mark them with an "X" using a pencil. Jackie Kolla, via e-mail
Marking eggs makes it easy to spot the older ones! The original column said that it isn't a good idea to put eggs in the egg cups on the refrigerator door because the eggs are continually exposed to changing temperatures and vibrations when the door is opened and closed throughout the day.
Our friends at the American Egg Board also shared the following: Egg cartons are used to protect the eggs from cracking. The cartons also keep the eggs from absorbing odors from other foods in the refrigerator, help eggs maintain the correct temperature and prevent the loss of moisture.
So, the best place to store eggs is in the carton on a refrigerator shelf. Heloise
Dear Heloise: This idea seems so simple and obvious, but I've never heard about it before: When I grease my skillet to fry eggs, I grease the egg turner, too. It makes "over easy" easier. Bill Lucas, Houston
Dear Heloise: Here's an easy way to loosen a tight jar lid: Drape a rubber glove over the top of the lid and over the side, then twist. A little effort and the lid will yield. Harry and Maria, Camp Hill, Pa.
Dear Heloise: If you wish to consume a frozen dinner away from the kitchen table without risking a hot spill, simply take a regular dinner plate and one piece of paper towel. Fold the paper towel into quarters, dampen it under the tap and place it in the center of the dinner plate. Once the frozen dinner comes out of the microwave, place the container on the damp paper towel. The moisture in the towel acts as a temporary bond between the plate and plastic container, keeping it in one place without sliding and risking a spill. Cleanup afterward is a snap. Rev. Gary Radey, Green Bay, Wis.
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax: (210) HELOISE; e-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate