Storing Potatoes
A Few Great Methods For Storing Potatoes
Gone are the days when everyone had a cool, dry root cellar for storing potatoes and other sensitive vegetables. We have upgraded to finished basements and garages, traded the shed for rubber storage units, and begun purchasing new when the old is through. We wouldn’t even consider changing these luxuries just for the sake of storing potatoes the entire winter, especially with potato prices as low as they are. But there are things that you can do to garner the best of both worlds, and they aren’t so difficult to accomplish. For starters, whether bought or grown, your potatoes must be completely dry at all stages of the harvesting and storage processes. No rain, no washing, no moistness of any sort. This is your first and most important step in storing potatoes.
The refrigerator is not considered a good long term place for your potatoes, as no matter how well your unit controls humidity, there is always moisture within. Temporarily, the cold trumps the moisture, and refrigerating them will work well for a week or so. After this, you are likely to see eyes and moisture on the skin of your potatoes. Use them quickly at this point, or discard them before they have a chance to continue the decaying process.
Next up, you can utilize the dark, dry areas beneath your basement stairs or pantry closet to temporarily store potatoes. This can work upwards of two months, depending on how much moisture is in the air surrounding that area. Too much cold is not a good thing either, and in this way, potatoes are rather temperamental. Close them in a breathable, dry, wooden storage box until you are ready to use them. I am sure you have seen those pretty potato bins that people keep in their kitchens. These actually do work, but they should not be placed in the kitchen. This is, aside from the bathroom, the most humid room in the house, and as such is not a good environment for storing potatoes.
These tips on storing potatoes go hand in hand with another. Areas of low to no moisture which are cool and dark will offer your tubers the most longevity. If you notice any moisture, mold, or eye growth on them, then the environment you have chosen is not working. Also, the green on potatoes is actually slightly poisonous, and can cause upset stomach. This happens when too much light gets to the potato, and is another sign that your storage methods need some adjusting. Do not use potatoes which have this green tint to the skin or contents. Discard them and check the rest before use. Don’t give up; just keep trying until you have found the proper balance within your home for storing potatoes.