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Farm Kitchen:  Storing Potatoes  |
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JessieMae
True Blue Farmgirl
702 Posts
Jessie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
702 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 08:21:15 AM
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| What is the best way to store potatoes? I'm mad-mad-mad because I keep buying them, and they keep sprouting / going all wrinkly and soft before I have a chance to use them! I bought a big bag of locally-grown spuds, put them in a basket down in the basement (away from windows and all), and yesterday went downstairs, and the whole danged basket was ruined! |
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 08:32:34 AM
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I just store mine in the pantry (about 40 degrees) in a dark bin on a shelf. The ones that I had from my garden (that are all gone now) were stored in a bin with pine shavings to keep them covered. Am guessing that you are not the problem, you are probably buying potatos that are already old and have been stored for quite a while already.
Lillian |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 08:52:45 AM
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I have the same problem with sprouting , I ususally don't buy large quantities as we eat them only occassionally.I have been reading and the information I am seeing is that Potatoes should be stored under moderately moist conditions in the dark at 35 to 40F. Use a slatted bin or large mesh bags raised one or two inches off the floor. Because they will need some air circulation, do not pile them any deeper than 12 to 18 inches. These conditions should prevent rotting, softening, and early sprouting. Never wash them before storing. You might check with your local co operative department. I am planning to plant a couple different varieties this year.
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." Maya Angelou |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 09:24:48 AM
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| I have a problem storing potatoes also. I agree that they are already old when we buy them. They are stored at very low temps and just the right humidity and when we bring them home, they come to life. When I find that I have too many potatoes and they are starting to sprout, I make mashed potatoes and freeze them. You can't freeze fresh potatoes and I don't like frozen cooked potatoes, but the mashed are quite good. |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4759 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4759 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 10:28:31 AM
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I keep mine in a dark, kind of cool, kitchen cabinet. I take them out of the plastic bags and put them in paper ones when I get home. This helps keep them from sprouting and rotting until I use them. I also never buy more then I'll use for a week or two, when it comes to potatoes or onions. This way nothing rots on me.
Dawn in IL |
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chessie
True Blue Farmgirl
403 Posts
Karen
Vista
CA
USA
403 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 12:25:55 PM
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geez, i buy tons of potatoes and use them all the time! & It is just two of us, am i eating that much more potato than the rest of you? Say it ain't so... I feel poor if I don't have potatoes in the larder.
I store them in a basket, for air circ, & in the dark to prevent sprouting, but not so cool as I should since my kitchen is never cool here in San Diego County (Today, January 12, around noon, it is 80 degrees outside and going to go up to 88 before the day is done. With the windows open, it is 75 degrees inside right now...) Also, i keep potatoes as far, as is reasonably possible, away from the onions and fruit, like apples, because the naturally occuring gasses? from those tend to send the potatoes to sprouting.
I rarely throw away potatoes.
All this talk about potatoes is making me hungry.
www.edgehillherbfarm.com "where the name is bigger than the farm, but no one seems to mind"
blog http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
happy farmgirl #89 |
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velvetcadi7
True Blue Farmgirl
54 Posts
Amy
Galva
IL
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2009 : 09:51:16 AM
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| A friend of mine buys the 50lb bags and stores them in an upstairs closet - cooler than her downstairs and dryer than her kitchen. I have thought about trying this but I have to find a closet with room for a 50 lb sack of tators first!!! |
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Farm Kitchen: Storing Potatoes |
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Storing Potatoes
