On Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:59:18 -0800 (PST), James wrote:

> My local Safeway has large eggs on sale this week for 99 cents a
> dozen.
>
> If I cook a bunch of hard boiled eggs would they keep in their shells
> at room temperature? I don't have room in the fridge.

this is the dope on eggs, according to the f.d.a.:

(U. S. Food and Drug Administration FDA Consumer
January 1992)
"Use raw shell eggs within 5 weeks after bringing them home. Use hard-
cooked eggs (in the shell or peeled) within 1 week after cooking. Use
leftover yolks and whites within 4 days after removing them from the
shell."

or, from the current f.d.a site:

Product Refrigerator Freezer
Eggs
Fresh, in shell 4 to 5 weeks Don't freeze
Raw yolks, whites 2 to 4 days 1 year
Hardcooked 1 week Doesn't freeze well

you can even tell when they are packed:

Dating of Cartons
Many eggs reach stores only a few days after the hen lays them. Egg
cartons with the USDA grade shield on them must display the "pack
date" (the day that the eggs were washed, graded, and placed in the
carton). The number is a three-digit code that represents the
consecutive day of the year (the "Julian Date") starting with January
1 as 001 and ending with December 31 as 365.

Always purchase eggs before the "Sell-By" or "EXP" (expiration) date
on the carton. After the eggs reach home, they may be refrigerated 3
to 5 weeks from the day they are placed in the refrigerator. The
"Sell-By" date will usually expire during that length of time, but the
eggs are perfectly safe to use. This date is not federally required,
but may be State required.)

some folks say the f.d.a. recommendations (for almost anything) are too
conservative, but you should be rock-bottom safe if you follow them.

your pal,
blake