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The Secret to Storing Potatoes

Red and white potatoes in a crate. Image credit: Kindel Media

May 2022

 

There is no vegetable more comforting and versatile than potatoes. They pair well with many other foods, they’re inexpensive, and (with care) have a long shelf life. When stored properly, potatoes can last for months. But if you’ve ever ended up with soft, spongy potatoes covered in curly sprouts, it’s time you learned to store them properly.

The most important thing you can do to make your potatoes last is to keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place. That includes places like your pantry, a cardboard box, or a brown paper bag. If you want your potatoes to last more than a month, keep them in a well-ventilated area that’s about 50 degrees, and make sure they aren’t exposed to sunlight.

You might think your refrigerator would be a good place, but it’s not. It’s much too cold, doesn’t provide enough ventilation, and will draw the moisture out of your potatoes.

One other thing to keep in mind is that if you store potatoes in your pantry, don’t store them next to your onions. The onions release a gas that will cause your potatoes to sprout more quickly. Try to keep them as far apart as possible or in completely different places.

At South and Hickory Place, all of our apartments feature modern kitchens that will have you loving cooking at home. They include a refrigerator, microwave, stove/oven, dishwasher, garbage disposal, stainless steel sink, island, maple cabinetry, and solid surface counters.