Storing Potatoes

Tired of finding new ways of storing potatoes to avoid rotten potatoes? Well, the first thing that you must be aware of is what you must avoid. Sealing them in plastic bag, placing in refrigerator, placing in light and most importantly - placing in between damaged potatoes is all that must be strictly avoided while storing them, as to ensure that they stay for longer duration. So you might wonder, which is the best place to store potatoes or what is the best way to store them? In the following paragraphs you can know the right way so that they stay in good condition.

How to Store Potatoes?

Sort Before Storing
Start the procedure by inspecting all the potatoes. Well, you need to check each piece one by one. Search for those with mold, green, soft spots, sprouts, soft patches and those damaged from harvesting. If there are such potatoes, just keep them aside. Remember that you just need to store the good ones together.

Do Not Wash
Make sure you do not wash potatoes before storing. Even if you dry them, no matter how better, there are chances that some moisture still remains on them, which can start up the mildew process, and allow bacteria in.

Conditions for Storage
Basically, you need to store this vegetable in a cool, dry and dark place that is essentially well ventilated. Well, cool and dark does not mean that you can store them in refrigerator, because the temperature there is too low. Much lower temperature will convert the potato's starch into sugar, resulting in a sweet taste and darken them prematurely. Remember, once you store them in the refrigerator, you can't get back its mealiness.

Storing Options
A burlap bag or a brown paper bag will be perfect for storing. Polythene is not to be used for storing, as there are more possibilities of mold and rot to set in here further spoiling all the stock. A clean old pair of tights or pantyhose is also known to be good for storing. You can also store them in wicker boxes or baskets with cover. Place these in cellar, if you have one. It is the best place for storing them.

Remember that whichever type of storage amongst the aforementioned things you opt for, the air must circulate through it as much as possible. So a burlap bag or a tights or pantyhose are definitely good ones to go for. When using a brown paper bag, make sure you makes holes in the bag to promote proper air circulation. Try to place them in an area where the temperature is about 45 to 50 degrees F, which will ensure that they stay in good condition for about 4 - 6 months. At room temperature, they will stay in good condition for about a week or two. Remember that storing onions with potatoes must be strictly avoided.

If you decide storing potatoes for a long duration, make sure that you move and check them once in a while. Check whether there is any piece that has turned green, become soft or sprouted, so that you can take out the sprouts and remove the damaged potatoes. Pull out the bad pieces to ensure that rest of them are not damaged.