QUESTION: What is the proper way to store eggs?ANSWER: Always keep eggs in the coldest part of the refrigerator in their original carton. If your refrigerator has one of those built-in racks in the door, skip it. The eggs get jostled every time the door is opened and closed and they're exposed to temperature fluctuations.In your refrigerator, try to find a place that has a steady, cold temperature. Some refrigerators can have cold spots, especially on the very top shelf, where the eggs can freeze.Keep the eggs in a closed carton, away from smelly things such as unwrapped cut onions. Eggs can absorb off-tastes through the shell.If you buy eggs from a source such as a farmer's market or roadside stand, make sure they're been stored in a cooler with plenty of ice packs. Never buy eggs that are kept out at room temperature. Any bacteria on the outside of the egg will multiply quickly at warm temperatures and can contaminate the egg when the shell is broken.And finally, don't wash eggs before you store them. It can actually make bacteria more likely to get inside, especially if the egg is warm and you wash it in cold water.Tribune Information Services.