How to Clean Oyster Shells

Baking oysters is a simple process and one that requires little preparation. Since oysters are sealed shut when they are purchased, only the exterior needs to be cleaned for serving or cooking. However, if you wish to reuse the shells again in the future for other non-food purposes, they will require a more thorough cleaning and sanitizing as well.

You Will Need:

• Water
• Scrub brush

Steps to Clean the Oysters:

1. Begin by filling a bowl with warm water.
2. Moisten the scrub brush with the water and gently scrub away any dirt or sand from the outside of the oyster shells.
3. The insides will not be cleaned as this is where the oyster meat is located. The oyster’s shells will open during the baking process.
4. Once the oysters have opened and have thoroughly cooked, the top part of the shell can be removed and disposed of. The oysters can then be served directly in the shell.

You Will Need:

• Water
• Scrub brush
• Bleach
• Dish detergent
• Soft cloths

Steps to Clean the Oysters:

1. Begin by cleaning the outside of the shells using the methods above.
2. To clean the inside of the shell, begin by removing any meat that was not consumed. Take special care to remove the muscle that attaches the oyster to the shell.
3. Next, scrub the inside with warm water and dish soap.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. If extra cleaning is needed, fill a bowl with water and add a small amount of bleach. Soak the shells for a few minutes.
6. Remove them and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
7. Dry with a soft cloth and allow them to air dry completely.

• If any shells hold an odor, dispose of them immediately. This odor indicates that somewhere in the shell there is still some meat that has started to rot.
• Keep in mind that attempting to reuse oyster shells in restaurants for food purposes is a violation of health codes in some states.