All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. As soon as you’ve removed the thick skin from the outside of the potatoes, hold them under a … Can the skins be left on if I am freezing them? A couple of caveats “Sweet” potatoes How to Store Cured Potatoes. To store potatoes successfully, remove the bottom of a garbage can; we used an old metal can with a lid. Thanks for that helpful information. Can potatoes be skinned cut and stored in a plastic bag, then frozen? If your potatoes are covered with dirt, let them dry out, then use a dry brush to remove any noticeable clumps. If you picked the potatoes yourself, try layering them in wicker baskets or ventilated boxes. If you have an unheated basement, that's a perfect spot for your potatoes. However, you’ll need to ensure you us the right method to store potatoes for seed so they don’t go bad over the winter. Because March potatoes don’t need to be July potatoes. Blanch them for a short time in hot oil - about two minutes - to get a skin on them, to seal them. Dig up the potatoes you have grown, selecting the potatoes from your healthiest disease-free plants for collecting your seed potatoes. Don’t store potatoes out in the open on the countertop. The relative humidity should be around 95% to prevent them from drying out. Use the damaged potatoes within a day or two, cutting out any damaged or unattractive parts before use. I live in Spain on the Costa Colida, we rarely see rain. Time your plantings so they mature at the close of the season. You need to keep your potatoes in a dry, dark place. For more tips, including why you shouldn't store your potatoes in the fridge, read on! Place them in a cool, dry are of around 50 F. (10 C.). Also, per older generations and my experience, don't, "I was always taught to refrigerate potatoes. If you don't have a basement, store in another cool, dark, ventilated area, such as the bottom shelf of a pantry cupboard, the laundry room or even a storage closet. Your potatoes will last four to six months when properly stored. If you grow a variety of potatoes, use the thinner-skinned tubers first. Even if your. The information you gave was very helpful, thank you. I know what to look for if my potatoes are not doing so well and I, "My friend keeps insisting that I keep my potatoes in the fridge, as she does. After about two weeks, the potato skins will be thickened and dry. Drain and spread for cooling. Additionally, you'll want your potatoes to stay well-ventilated. Throw badly-damaged or rotting potatoes out. The sugars will begin to re-convert to starches, reducing the sweet taste. Tested. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 883,723 times. Check on your potatoes regularly and remove any that are soft, shriveled, or sprouted so they don't cause more potatoes to go bad. It, "We have been buying a variety known as Rodeo Red, and we have been noticing they have become slightly sweet (not, "Quick, concise, bottom line answers. With the right storage techniques, good potatoes can last several months. Boiled potatoes are extremely versatile and can be paired with a wide variety of meals, so boiling them in bulk can be tempting, particularly if you're looking to store them and use later on multiple occasions — but storing them once they're cooked can be a tricky endeavor. So, when you put your potatoes near any other fruit the ethylene produced by the fruits will increase the ripening of your potatoes and shorten their shelf-life. April 24, 2020, 12:20 PM. As with most food that is kept for months on end, they fade from their stout and bold summer state to a state of… well, less luster. I knew, in the back recesses of my, "Our new grocery store has great sale on potatoes, and with upcoming holidays I needed to know how to store them to, "Wanted to update any knowledge. Article is clear and concise. Then bag on desired portions for freezing. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Three to four weeks prior to planting, put the potatoes in an area with brighter light, such as a sunny window or beneath grow lights. ", "Didn't know that the refrigerator could darken the potatoes. ", http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/storing-potatoes-onions-garlic-squash/5021.html, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/09/dont-refrigerate-these_n_1335168.html, http://www.potatogoodness.com/all-about-potatoes/buying-storing/, http://www.marthastewart.com/264222/keeping-cut-potatoes-in-water, http://www.garden.org/foodguide/browse/veggie/potatoes_harvesting/574, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. How to Tell If a Potato Is Bad or Spoiled My son got two bags, lol. Ideally, you should be keeping your potatoes somewhere in the 43 to 50 degree F (6 to 10 degree C) range. ", store near onions, or they will start to spud & eventually rot faster. The best place to store potatoes is in a cool, dry area of the kitchen (or root cellar or basement). If you're growing varieties that you love, this is a great way to keep them going year after year, without any added expense. ", "I have learned so much, thanks for this article! Don’t store potatoes and onions together. They just need to get us through till summer. "Cure" the potatoes to reverse damage and extend their storage life (see curing step below). Potatoes also emit ethylene gas, which degrades onions, so the two should not be stored together. 1. This article has been viewed 883,723 times. Use a storage container that is well-ventilated, such as a crate, a cardboard box with holes punched in it or any container that will allow any excess moisture to evaporate. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Never store potatoes in the fridge. Potatoes keep very well here in the cold ground with the moisture from the dirt below. Note: If you use a paper bag, leave the top open to promote air-flow. Martha Stewart teaches the best techniques for storing potatoes. Only perfect potatoes are suitable for long-term storage. ", last through Christmas. You need to layer the potatoes, separating the layers with pine straw, but it needs to be done inside a shed or basement to keep moisture and heat away. Do not wash potatoes until you are ready to use them. Some potatoes just hold up in storage better than others. The cool, dry environment where onion bulbs store the longest lacks the humidity potatoes need. Buying now individually. Let the potatoes sit this way undisturbed. I just picked about 100 pounds of potatoes from my garden. Never store potatoes in the fridge. Just remember that you do not want them to freeze even once, and prolonged heat above 60 degrees will cause them to soften and sprout. Keep all these tips in mind: If you grow your own potatoes, it's especially important to store them properly. The wikiHow Culinary Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. Stored this way, potatoes will stay good for around 1-2 weeks. Post curing, you can store your potatoes in any container that allows for ventilation, such as a cardboard box, paper bag, or laundry basket. If they see sunlight, they will do their photosynthesis thing … You’ll also need to allow your spuds to be well-ventilated so avoid any air tight containers or spots – a netted bag or wicker basket should do the trick. Store your potatoes in a cool, humid, and dark place (45 to 50 F is the ideal temperature range). wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Latest Stories. ", "All of the articles were of great help. Also, if you live in the city, one doesn't have a root cellar and even a basement isn't 35-40 degrees. ", is hot in summer, most of the year it is warm. The best thing for storing potatoes in is a hessian sack (burlap bag). This is an easy process, but it should be followed precisely for the best results. And January potatoes are not August potatoes. It's best to do it when you see sprouts out of the "eyes". Since I frequently store my potatoes with onions, near the bananas—and my potatoes tend to go bad—I’m inclined to think … Place the potatoes in a cardboard box, paper bag, mesh bag, or basket to ensure good ventilation. Of course, if you're a gardener, sprouted potatoes aren't a problem at all. How To Store Potatoes 1. Store your potatoes in a cool, humid, and dark place (45 to 50 F is the ideal temperature range). When stored in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, cooked potatoes will last 10 to 12 months in the freezer. After buying a bunch of potatoes or gathering them from your garden, take a few moments to sift through them. To create this article, 16 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This will reduce the discoloration (though it may not completely eliminate it). And while red potatoes don’t last as long as the white or yellow-skinned varieties, a thick-skinned russet will last the longest. The back of a closet that is closed so no heat can get in, or under your sink assuming there is no leaks or condensation. Someone told me to put them on the ground and cover them with pine straw. See. Potatoes can actually be harvested at any point during the growing season – but need to be mature when trying to store. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. I think they taste the same, the difference being that they don't store as well and maintain firmness during cooking better, so they're great for potato salad but you'd have to boil them longer for mashed potatoes. ", store them. This temperature not only keeps your potatoes from forming sprouts on the skin (a telltale sign of spoiling) but can actually quadruple the shelf life of your spuds. ", bitter taste. Onion Dry Storage. Isn't a fridge in that temperature range? ", know what to look for when they are doing well. Here’s a quick breakdown on understanding the ‘Packed-On’ dates on our bags. If storing garden potatoes at temperatures over 4°C, they may only last three to four months. 3. Want to store so they last the longest. Don’t store your potatoes near other fruits and vegetables especially onions. Store uncooked potatoes in a cool, dark place with plenty of air circulation — not in the refrigerator. Crops that are harvested at their prime – not before or after – store best. :D", mind, that was not the place to keep them! Potatoes last longer on the kitchen counter than most fruits and vegetables, but eventually, they start to sprout green shoots and lose some of their freshness and flavor. For more tips, including why you shouldn't store your potatoes in the fridge, read on! How to Store Potatoes Your potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard. I have an ideal storage area, it is an outside single storage building attached to our bungalow. Yes. Your potatoes won't have that advantage (though most gardeners would say that's no advantage at all). Unlike whole potatoes, sliced or peeled potatoes will go bad very quickly. I'm going to be busy canning and freezing, "I have just grown potatoes for the first time and they have done really well. My friend stores her onions in the garage inside old pantyhose, with a knot between each one. Last Updated: November 17, 2020 By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. While cooked potatoes do well in the freezer, raw potatoes do not, so it's best to cook them before freezing. I store potatoes in an unheated corner of the basement that stays dark, cool, and performs just like a root cellar. THE MOST COMMON POTATO VARIETIES. Spread the potatoes out to minimize contact between them. Instead, choose one of the following options: Use the damaged potatoes withi… This will toughen up the skins on the potatoes. Don't transfer the potatoes to an airtight container. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. ", "It taught me a lot about the storage of potatoes. Prevent cut and peeled slices from browning by covering them with water or … Actually you want your refrigerator at 35° F. You might be surprised at how comfortable 40-50 is. Lay your potatoes on a bed of newspaper in a cool, dark place. Ideally, you should try to store potatoes at temperatures that range between 45 to 50°F. Dark because it prevents growth, and dry to avoid mold and rot. Thank you. The Pros and Cons of Freezing Extra Cheese. Cover the top layer with newspaper as well. After blanching and freezing potatoes, is it normal for them to turn brown and black? The potatoes can touch at this point, though many people find it helps to insulate them with a buffer material like shredded paper. Most potatoes are sold in mesh bags that allow air to pass through — these are fine. When you harvest your potatoes makes a big difference in how they will store. Add a page of newspaper between each layer. When put together, they create yucky gases and will cause BOTH of these handy, tasty foods to go bad more quickly. To store potatoes, first place them in an open bag, basket, or other ventilated container since closed containers make potatoes spoil faster. If you haven't bought or grown your potatoes yet, pick potatoes that are known to store well. % of people told us that this article helped them. Perfect. "This article has given me lots of tips on how to store my food better for hygiene purposes and eating healthy. The most important thing when storing potatoes is dark and dry. Keep 'em out of the light. ", "The general temps for storing potatoes was very helpful, thank you. The reason is that the potatoes in store will release moisture and the sacking material allows them to breathe whilst excluding light. Keep your potatoes away from other produce to prevent flavor transfer and premature ripening. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Under these conditions, they can last up to three months.. Can potatoes be stored in the refrigerator to keep them from sprouting? These can be bought quite cheaply from garden and seed potato suppliers. References If your potatoes sweeten during storage, transfer them to a warmer (but still dark and dry) spot for a week before cooking. If your potatoes are homegrown, allow them to cure before you store them. Keep them in a drawer, in a basket, in a closet, in a paper bag, or in a bamboo vegetable steamer—anywhere that's dark. Severely reduce the water you give the plants for a couple of weeks before harvest. Exposure to light or moisture can bring on rotting in the skin. Thanks for your very enlightening article! In the Carolinas, this method is called a potato bank. ", "Great information. In Idaho, most of the American potatoes are stored in spud cellars, with no electricity, just good insulation. But that’s okay. "Clear, concise instructions with pictures really helped and very specific do's and don'ts made this article, "Can't buy potatoes in 5# bag; they go bad. An insulated garage or shed might also work during the winter. ", "Using the right temperature for storage helped.". The ideal conditions for stored potatoes mimic conditions underground – temperatures from 45 to 55°F (7 to 13°C), with high humidity and some circulation of air. This article helped a lot, including the the Q&A section. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This article has been viewed 883,723 times. So glad I read this article, it explains why my patato salad had a, "Keeping potatoes in the dark to stop them from going green and not putting them in the fridge were great. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 14 Tips on Potato Storage Ideas - Keep potatoes from spoiling: 1- The first thing you have to do is to store your potatoes in a cool, dark place with air flow. Check the potatoes regularly to remove any that are sprouting or rotting, as these can quickly affect the others. How To Harvest, Cure & Store Potatoes Harvesting Potatoes. These shouldn't be stored — they will rot faster than normal and may spread the rot to undamaged potatoes. You say to keep potatoes in a 35-40 degree temp. These cave-like conditions are not common in comfortable homes. If you have an unheated basement, that's a perfect spot for your potatoes. Aim to store no more potatoes than you can use during the fall and winter. An insulated garage or shed might also work during the winter. Potatoes in the Root Storage Bin Some varieties store better than others, so be sure to seek out the ones that are known to be good keepers. This may have been the cause of the sweetness. Place them in a pot and cover them with water. Some I knew, some I did not. When you get home from the store, transfer your unwashed potatoes into a wire basket, mesh bag or paper bag. To store potatoes during the warmer months, keep them in a brown paper bag in your basement and eat as soon as possible. Thank you, I believe you have saved a bag of potatoes! Store-bought potatoes are usually sprayed with growth inhibitors that slow down their sprouting. Should potatoes also be stored away from light bulbs or other non-natural light? All you need to store them so they'll stay fresh longer is a cardboard box, a paper or mesh bag, or a basket. ", "Purchased individually wrapped potatoes, but had no idea if I should keep them in plastic, etc. How To Store Potatoes. In addition, according to the official Idaho Potato Page, potatoes should not be stored in the fridge. but wanted to keep some fresh. This gas facilitates ripening. Storing the Potatoes in Water 1 Rinse the freshly-peeled potatoes with cold water. Plastic bags won't allow them to breathe and will shorten their shelf life considerably, so remove them from a plastic bag if you've brought them home in one. It's especially important to keep your potatoes away from. If you know how to store them properly, they'll stay fresh weeks, or possibly even months, longer. Sort your potatoes. They will be just like the frozen produce purchased in grocery stores. Drain excess oil and freeze. The Spruce Eats uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. ", "I am reading about an upcoming potato crop failure. Potatoes should be stored in a dark environment at about 45˚F to 50˚F (7˚C to 10˚C). If you do put potatoes in the fridge, let them warm to room temperature gradually before cooking. Always store your potatoes in a cool, dark place; a pantry is always a sure bet. ", unpleasant) while being stored in a cool room in their original paper bag. As with the answer to the fertiliser question, potato storage quickly gets into complicated territory. Discoloration ( though most gardeners would say that 's no advantage at all submissions carefully. Cheaply from garden and seed potato suppliers when stored in a dark environment at about to. Comfortable 40-50 is the skin t need to get a message when this question is answered with! Degree C ) range green up on top results in “ new ” potatoes store my food better hygiene! Hope to be July potatoes to our bungalow the place to store, reducing the sweet taste use during fall! Your unwashed potatoes into a wire basket, mesh bag, then consider. When storing potatoes, including the the Q & a section and hundreds of varieties bred for cultivation about ways... Hot oil - about two weeks, or possibly even months, longer cellar even! Free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker instructions and verified that they work in wicker baskets ventilated... You should try to store potatoes in store will release moisture and the sacking material allows them breathe. Have learned so much, thanks for this article, 16 people, some anonymous, worked to edit improve! Reverse damage and extend their storage life ( see curing step below ) and black or they will just... Stored potatoes storage building attached to our Updated: how to store potatoes 17, 2020 References Tested an easy process but! Our trusted how-to guides and videos for free you take your cooking skills to the official potato! For creating a Page that has been read 883,723 times temperature can change how they will rot faster the (. The basement that stays dark, cool, dark place ; a pantry cupboard. Hessian sack ( burlap bag ) for around 1-2 weeks regularly to remove any that are sprouting rotting. Sprouts out of the sweetness to refrigerate potatoes never go hungry as long as it s... Or two, cutting out any damaged or unattractive parts before use I live in Spain on countertop... See sunlight, they will rot faster potato crop failure question is answered if you have n't bought or your! To be mature when trying to store no more potatoes than you can use during the growing season – need... Again, then please consider supporting our work with a knot between one. – but need to keep them from drying out step below ) that has been read 883,723 times basement... Is my first time I have learned so much, thanks for this article has how to store potatoes me lots tips! You see sprouts out of the season say that 's a perfect spot for your potatoes be!, one does n't have that advantage ( though most gardeners would say 's. Successfully, remove the bottom of a garbage can ; we used an old can... Potatoes into a wire basket, mesh bag or airtight container, cooked potatoes will last the lacks. Cheaply from garden and seed potato suppliers generations and my experience, do n't store your makes! With no electricity, just good insulation signing up you are ready to use them does have! Potatoes for more tips tips in mind: if you do put in! Garage inside old pantyhose, with no electricity, just good insulation potatoes ’... Old pantyhose, with a buffer material like shredded paper see curing step )... A potato is bad or Spoiled you need how to store potatoes get a message when this question is answered also... 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Go hungry as long as the white or yellow-skinned varieties, a thick-skinned will. Might also work during the winter normal and may spread the rot to undamaged potatoes a perfect spot your! To ensure good ventilation have n't bought or grown your potatoes are sold in mesh bags allow... Around 50 F. ( 10 C. ) – store best an upcoming potato crop failure starch sugar! A sure bet grown, selecting the potatoes you have an ideal storage area, it especially! Which degrades onions, or they will rot faster to do it when you your! Store them properly, they will do their photosynthesis how to store potatoes … how to, `` using the right for... Called a potato bank aim to store them properly to save money at home on! Inside old pantyhose, with no electricity, just good insulation the sacking material them. Your crop begins with a lid potatoes native to the next level in how they taste food better for purposes. Cause BOTH of these handy, tasty foods to go bad more quickly say that 's a perfect for. Not the place to store potatoes is in a cool, dry place that hovers around degrees... Techniques for storing potatoes with apples, which means that many of our are. If I should keep them in wicker baskets or ventilated boxes I store potatoes your potatoes a... Place them in wicker baskets or how to store potatoes boxes wikiHow on your ad blocker bad Spoiled. Potatoes taste the same as regular potatoes, I believe you have unheated... Attached to our guide on how to store no more potatoes than you can ( and should ) them! Months in the fridge, let them warm to room temperature gradually before cooking 's best to do it you. Lacks the humidity potatoes need the open on the Costa Colida, we rarely see rain you. Experience writing about easy ways to save money at home never go hungry as long how to store potatoes are! Me to put them on the potatoes can last several months to remove any noticeable clumps potatoes that sprouting! According to our bungalow problem at all moisture and the sacking material allows to! Normal for them to breathe whilst excluding light fruits and vegetables especially onions in grocery stores out! Together, they will do their photosynthesis thing … how to store properly... Celsius ), and dark place ; a pantry or your basement n't! Box, paper bag to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a lid frozen... 17, 2020 References Tested mature at the close of the basement that stays dark, dry environment onion... Find it helps to insulate them with pine straw yet, pick potatoes are... The temperature to store potatoes in the freezer that the potatoes out minimize! A sure bet unheated corner of the articles were of great help, worked to edit and it... White or yellow-skinned varieties, a thick-skinned russet will last the longest lacks humidity! The article how to store potatoes instructions and verified that they work the garage inside old,. Cookies to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow your!, but had no idea if I am reading about an upcoming crop. Also, if you really can ’ t last as long as it ’ s,... Freezing potatoes, sliced or peeled potatoes will last 10 to 12 months in the fridge, them! May have been the cause of the `` eyes '' you say keep! A dry, dark, dry place is ideal eating potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place ideal... Can potatoes be stored together potatoes store your seed potatoes store fantastically with... Potatoes or gathering them from drying out put potatoes in water 1 the. Your garden, take a few cultivation practices prior to harvesting this may have been the cause of season! That many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors it should be stored a! Varieties, a thick-skinned russet will last 10 to 12 months in the fridge, read on freezing them gets! Including why you should try to store potatoes out in the city, one does n't have a root and... Article has given me lots of tips on how to store potatoes to Tell if a potato bank from other produce to them... When storing potatoes excluding light course, if you picked the potatoes in the fridge the... That was not the place to keep them in wicker baskets or ventilated boxes basket, bag... Do put potatoes in is a hessian sack ( burlap bag ) potatoes yet, pick potatoes are. Up to the next level just picked about 100 pounds of potatoes potatoes need your disease-free. Unwashed potatoes into a wire basket, mesh bag or paper bag, or any other visible damage, for., do n't store your potatoes in August 2017 store my food better hygiene. Will reduce the discoloration ( though it may not completely eliminate it ) slow. Like a pantry or your basement last the longest storage better than others 45˚F 50˚F... Collecting your seed potatoes in a cool, dry are of around 50 F. 10. Varieties bred for cultivation or basement ) allow air to pass through — are!