Storing washed potatoes 

Most gardeners grow potatoes on their plots. And is it possible to imagine the table of a person without an excellent dish of potatoes? It seems that the answer is obvious. But in order to be able to enjoy dishes from this vegetable, it must be stored until the next harvest.

Each person has his own secrets of storing root crops. Some believe that unwashed potatoes keep better, while others argue that they need to be washed, otherwise they will become a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Which of these statements is correct? This article will answer the question of whether to wash potatoes before storage.

Advantages and disadvantages of washed potatoes

In order to have an objective look at this issue, this article will look at both the advantages of storing washed potatoes and their disadvantages. One thing is clear – potatoes should be stored dry. Whether the root crop was washed or not does not matter. An important role is played by the air temperature in the room in which potato tubers are stored and air humidity. So, the temperature should not be higher than + 5ºС and not lower than +2 ºС. Humidity should be in the range of 80-91%. To achieve these indicators, it is necessary to install supply and exhaust ventilation in the cellar.

Benefits of storing washed potatoes

Each storage method has its own advantages. Therefore, we suggest that you consider the advantages of storing washed potatoes:

1. On washed potatoes, flaws are immediately visible. So, you can immediately remove infected and damaged tubers, which will protect the rest of the potatoes from spoilage. That is, thanks to the sink, it is possible to carry out a better sorting of potatoes.
2. If you wash the potatoes, then it will have a presentation. It is more pleasant to work with her in the process of cooking.
3. It takes much less time to clean the cellar after storing washed potatoes in it.
4. After washing the tubers, they can be treated with a solution of copper sulfate or slaked lime to prevent spoilage of vegetables.

but on the other hand

Each storage method has a downside, and for the sake of honesty, we need to discuss it too:

1. If the peel is damaged during the washing process and the tubers are not dried enough, then they will naturally deteriorate faster.
2. If we wash potatoes before putting them in the cellar, then the process of preparing the tubers for storage will take longer.
3. In order to wash potatoes before storage, you need to spend a lot of water.
4. To dry washed potatoes, you need to allocate enough space, and this is not always possible.
5. If the potatoes were washed, then drying will take more time. This is important, because, otherwise, the tubers will rot from excess dampness. During the drying process, potatoes should be turned over from time to time so that they dry evenly.
6. Some summer residents believe that when tubers are washed, the natural layer that protects vegetables from spoilage is disturbed.

How to wash potatoes

A tub or a large saucepan can serve as a container for washing potato tubers. It is desirable that the container used for washing potatoes is not previously used for other household needs, especially for washing.

Then you need to fill the potatoes in the bath and fill it with water at room temperature. Each potato tuber is thoroughly washed, without violating the integrity of the peel. In the process of washing, the injured and diseased potatoes are rejected. In addition, at this stage, tubers can be sorted – large for consumption and small – for planting next year.

If you wash potatoes in a container, then the water must be changed several times until it becomes clear. Or, alternatively, you can wash potato tubers under running water. On a pre-prepared surface, you need to lay out the washed vegetables in one or maximum two layers. As a substrate for drying potatoes on the ground, a metal sheet, boards, polyethylene or fabric can serve. The bottom line is that the tubers do not come into contact with damp earth.

If the weather is hot, then 3 hours will be enough to dry the tubers. In this case, you need to turn the potatoes at least three times. At cooler temperatures, drying can take up to 8 hours. There is no specific time, it is important that the potatoes become dry. Then it can be folded into boxes and taken to a dark place.

After 10-14 days, the rejection of tubers should be repeated. After that, dry and washed potatoes can be taken to the cellar. It is better to store potato tubers in wooden boxes or natural burlap bags.

Features of tubers storage box

You don’t have to buy boxes. They can be made independently from shields or wooden boards. To keep the potatoes better, the boxes should be double, that is, a smaller one is inserted into the larger one. In this case, you can be 100% sure that the tubers will not come into contact with the ground. The bottom and lid of the box should be double. The voids between the boxes can be filled with sawdust or foam.

From the outside, the box must be upholstered. This can be done with a piece of galvanized steel, linoleum, plastic, or by painting wooden elements. All these actions will help you protect the potatoes from moisture.

Thermal container

If you live in an apartment and the only place to store potatoes is a balcony, then if you can’t build a box yourself, you can purchase a special thermal container.

This design is essentially a double bag, which is made from durable fabric used for tents. A durable synthetic winterizer is used as a heater. This thermocontainer also has electric heating, which ensures a constant temperature inside it, varying within +1+7 ºС. Such a device will fit very well into the balcony interior, as it has an attractive appearance. In addition, this way you can protect your potatoes from freezing even in the most severe frosts.

Some useful tips

The following tips will help you keep potatoes until spring effortlessly:

• If you mix potato tubers with dry bitter wormwood or common goutweed, you can protect potatoes from rotting.
• Plants that produce phytoncides prolong the shelf life of potatoes. Many summer residents rearrange tubers with spruce or pine branches or rowan leaves.
• If you put fern or elderberry in boxes with potatoes, then it will rot less, which means it will last until the next harvest.
• Mint delays the process of banding potatoes. If you shift the tubers with it, then the rings on them will appear much later.
• Potatoes can be stored in an apartment at room temperature for 2-3 weeks if you put them in a plastic bag and tie them tightly.

So, it is up to you to wash or not to wash the potatoes before storage. The method has both pluses and minuses. An objective look at this issue was provided in the article, but in order to expand your knowledge, we invite you to watch the video additionally: