Quick question re potato storage

[TheDuchessOfBeddington]

Hope you can help.

In our last place we had a cupboard under the stairs with hanging bags of potatoes, garlic and onions, and they lasted ages.

In our new flat (which is much smaller) our potato cupboard is in a small kitchen next to the radiator. They don’t seem to last long without sprouting.

DH says we should move all the dry goods and potatoes to the cupboard nearer the window and swap them with the fancy wedding crockery. This seems like a ball ache.

My thoughts are, do potatoes need to be kept in a cool place? If so, what are the options for a small flat which has the heating on full blast for 6 or more months of the year? Any tips?

As someone not originally from the UK I find the whole concept of a designated potato cupboard entirely extraordinary. How many potatoes can any family really need to keep at any one time? I never know what to do with much more than a kilo and even then it’s a struggle to eat them before they turn.

Having said that, when we do buy potatoes we do keep them in a dark dry place in a ventilated plastic box in the utility.

Potatoes should be stored dark, cool and well ventilated. I've looked it up, where I am the advice is 5-8c, but 10-12c would probably be okay. And don't keep potatoes and onions near each other.

Can't help with where you should store yours . Mine are stored in an isolated box outside.

Definitely cool and dry. And dark. That said, I used to keep them in the fridge when I had too many. Strong brown paper bag somewhere cool.

you can get suitable black lined bags from (in ascending order of price) poundland, Lakeland, Amazon. These can be hung up somewhere, perhaps even from a window on the shady side if your flat is kept that hot. The important thing is DARK.

Dark and ventilated is good. Pretend they have a migraine.
Sorry for ball ache though.

Yes they need to be dark and cool.. next to the radiator is not ideal for anything fresh.
And if you move your crockery there you’ll have nice warm plates

@strudsespark I didn’t know you shouldn’t keep potatoes and onions together... is this for the benefit of the potatoes, or the onions? (Or both?)

I didn't know until a few years ago @JemimaTiggywinkle, I stored both together, but potatoes should not be stored with onions because they emit ethylene gas which speeds ripening and hastens potatoes to sprout and spoil.

@SuperLoudPoppingAction

Dark and ventilated is good. Pretend they have a migraine. Sorry for ball ache though.

Buying in small quantities and keeping in the fridge might work, if fridge space is not also at a premium. Or, weirdly, boot of your car!!

I often end up with lots and lots that nobody wants via Olio. I'm keeping them in a cardboard box in layers of brown paper in a dark, cold room.

Also it's often cheaper for me (in potato country) to buy a 25kg sack of potatoes for £4 so I do end up needing to keep them for a good while.

Many thanks for your replies!

The first thing I’m going to do is move the onions! I think I’ll try the potatoes in the fridge.

I keep mine in a high cupboard in our kitchen in a notoriously cold corner of the house. I keep mine loose in a thick cotton bag and they last ages.

you must have a big fridge
We have small bag of spuds in kitchen (cupboard away from heat sources) & huge bags in the garage (cold)

Keep them in the fridge and then they think it is winter and they don’t sprout.