Potato Storing
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (179063)
Boise, Idaho
August 27, 2025 2:28pm CST
My eye always goes to articles about potatoes. I love them so. But this one I thought was rather interesting. It says that storing potatoes in a plastic bag is a no-no. It causes them to root and mold sooner. Keeping them in a more breathable paper bag or a cardboard box with holes in it is better. Just make sure they are all healthy setting together, so they don't spread mold or such onto the other potatoes. Plastic retains moisture and will speed up spoilage. This method can keep potatoes good for about 4 months, but it is a good idea to check them periodically for sprouting or green spots.
Hope you found this interesting.
8 people like this
9 responses
@MarieCoyle (47764)
•
27 Aug
I never, ever store potatoes in a plastic bag. They will not last very long in the bag. When I buy them, I take them out of the bag and look at each potato while I am setting it out on a towel. They sit on the towel for several hours and then I look at each potato. I do not want to store a bad potato with the good ones--it's like apples, one bad one seems to spoil the entire bunch.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (179063)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Aug
No, not at all. It is smart to examine them and get rid of the bad ones immediately. Only takes one bad one.
@DaddyEvil (158192)
• United States
28 Aug
We usually go through a 5 lbs bag of potatoes in two months so they're fine leaving them in the plastic bag from the grocery store. We leave them on the kitchen floor until needed.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179063)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Aug
We go through a lot in the winter. We do the same.
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@DaddyEvil (158192)
• United States
28 Aug
@celticeagle We do go through more in the winter than we do in the summer, too.
@RasmaSandra (88480)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Aug
I keep my potatoes in the veggie storage bin in my fridge. So far I have had no problems with them.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179063)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Aug
Keeping them in the fridge makes the starch in them turn to sugar and changes their flavor.
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@RasmaSandra (88480)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
28 Aug
@celticeagle I have not noticed this and it is the only place I have in my hot apartment with the occasional palm tree rat running about, They are in the dark in the bin and I enjoy them anyway,
@celticeagle (179063)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Aug
Storage? Maybe they are being picked too soon, and they may have to do with it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (361957)
• Rockingham, Australia
17h
@celticeagle Mum used to buy a big bag os spuds and they seemed to last for ages. We did shop once a week so maybe they only lasted a week and my memory is at fault.
@Traceyjayne (4699)
• United Kingdom
28 Aug
Some potatoes are sold in plastic bags which does indeed make them sweat ….
I always remove them and put them in a paper bag and under the sink …it’s cool and dark. They last a good while.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (199219)
• United States
28 Aug
Yes, they will rot quickly in plastic. Thank you for the tips.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (38305)
• Toccoa, Georgia
27 Aug
That's very interesting. I also think storing them in the refrigerator is good.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179063)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Aug
That's not really recommended because storing them at lower temps makes the starches turn to sugar and the flavor of the potatoes will be sweet. Not good for some dishes.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179063)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Aug
No, not at all. Grocers can do it for a short time but not long or you are buying sprouts, not potatoes.
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