The unusual place to store potatoes to keep them fresh and sprout-free for 5 months
advertisement
🥔 The Common Mistake: Warm and Bright Storage
Many people keep their potatoes on the counter, in the pantry, or under the sink — spots that are convenient but often too warm and sometimes too bright. Warmth and light trigger the sprouting process, making potatoes soft, sweet, and even slightly toxic due to solanine buildup (that green tint you sometimes see).
To keep them fresh, you need a place that’s cool, dark, and dry — but not freezing. That’s where this surprising method comes in.
🧊 The Unusual Trick: The Fridge Vegetable Drawer with Paper Towels
Yes, you can store potatoes in the refrigerator — if you do it properly. Traditionally, people avoid the fridge because low temperatures can turn potato starch into sugar, affecting taste. But here’s the secret: if you wrap your potatoes in paper towels and store them inside a perforated paper or mesh bag in the vegetable drawer, the moisture level stays balanced and the cold temperature slows sprouting without affecting flavor.
The paper absorbs excess moisture, while the breathable bag prevents condensation and mold. This creates the ideal environment — cool (around 40°F or 4°C), dark, and ventilated — to keep potatoes perfectly preserved.
🌫️ Alternative Cool Spots
If you prefer not to use the fridge, you can also store potatoes in these unusual but effective places:
A basement or cellar – Naturally cool and dark, with stable humidity.
An insulated cooler – Line it with newspaper and keep it in a shaded area.
A clay pot (olla method) – Place potatoes in a clay pot, cover with a lid, and store in a cool corner. The porous clay helps regulate temperature and humidity.
🚫 What to Avoid
Never wash potatoes before storage. Moisture encourages rot. Brush off dirt gently and only wash right before cooking.
Don’t store them near onions or garlic. Both release gases that cause potatoes to sprout faster.
Avoid plastic bags. They trap moisture, leading to mold and spoilage.
Keep them away from sunlight. Even small amounts of light trigger greening and toxins.
✅ Quick Recap: The Perfect Storage Setup
Place unwashed potatoes in a paper towel-lined mesh or paper bag.
Keep them in the fridge’s vegetable drawer, or in a cool, dark, dry space between 38–45°F (3–7°C).
Check once a month to remove any that are soft or sprouting.
🌿 Final Thought
Potatoes are one of the most versatile foods in the kitchen, but they need the right care to last. By storing them in this unexpected spot — your fridge’s veggie drawer with the right setup — you can extend their life for up to 5 months, saving money and reducing food waste.
A little trick, a touch of science, and a cool dark corner — that’s all it takes to keep your spuds fresh, firm, and ready for your next meal!
advertisement
Watch Video Below