Potatoes are a favorite product among Russians.
They are stocked up for future use, with the expectation that there will be enough vegetables until the next season. In the absence of a cellar, many people store root vegetables in the apartment, which requires certain knowledge and the availability of suitable containers.
Read the article about how to choose a box for storing potatoes in an apartment that will extend their shelf life.
What are they?
Potatoes are a shelf-stable product, but only if they are stored properly. If the root crop is to spend the winter in an apartment, then you should pay attention to boxes made from materials such as:
- plastic;
- metal;
- tree.
- rattan.
Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered before purchasing.
Plastic
You can use a plastic container
to store potatoes in your apartment . Large containers are suitable for vegetable bases, but for home it is better to purchase containers with a volume of about 10 liters.
In such a container you can keep vegetables in small portions, so they will not spoil or become moldy.
If necessary, small containers can be moved without assistance. They are easy to care for and are not afraid of soapy water.
However, installing plastic boxes in the form of sections in boxes or cabinets is not always convenient. If there are no holes in them, then the process of rotting may begin .
The disadvantages of plastic include its increased fragility. If handled carelessly, the box will quickly break. Temperature changes make the situation worse.
Metal boxes and meshes
It is inconvenient to store potatoes in metal containers. The main disadvantages of such boxes:
- They do not have holes for ventilation, which can lead to spoilage of vegetables.
- Metal containers are not favored by their weight. The containers are heavy, and when potatoes are loaded into them, the weight increases several times.
- If you plan to store potatoes on the balcony, then metal is not the best choice. It cools quickly, which can cause vegetables to freeze.
- When in contact with moisture, the metal oxidizes and rusts.
Metal containers have three advantages: affordable price, strength and durability. A choice is made in their favor only in cases of extreme necessity.
Metal mesh is radically different from boxes. Such baskets allow air to pass through, so moisture does not stagnate in them. This has a positive effect on both the shelf life of potatoes and the condition of the storage container itself. The meshes are easier to maintain, and the absence of condensation avoids rust.
Wooden
It is wooden boxes that are most often used for storing potatoes at home. Such packaging has a whole list of advantages, including:
- durability;
- ease of repair;
- unpretentious care;
- affordable price;
- ensuring high-quality ventilation;
- environmental Safety.
Wooden boxes are ubiquitous. You don’t have to buy them; you can make such containers yourself. However, like any other product, wood is not without its drawbacks.
The main disadvantage is susceptibility to mold and vulnerability to insects . To prevent the box from collapsing and rotting, it must be covered with a layer of varnish or paint.
Boxes
If the harvest is planned to be stored in the apartment in small parts and not as a whole, boxes are used. They are made from different materials. The main advantage of such a system is its well-thought-out functionality.
They are designed specifically for keeping vegetables, so they have a ventilation system. The material itself undergoes special treatment, so it does not rot or become infected with fungus.
Kitchen boxes
They can be built-in or free-standing . Most often they are made of wood, although there are boxes made of fiberboard and chipboard covered with a protective film.
Factory-made drawers have an attractive design, so they fit organically into the interior of the kitchen. You can also order a built-in drawer that will be installed in the set.
Thanks to this design, the potatoes will always be in the dark, which increases their shelf life. However, large volumes of vegetables will not fit in such a box.
Wicker
Wicker boxes are great for storing potatoes. They have holes through which air circulates freely .
Another advantage of such packaging is its aesthetic appearance.
The disadvantages include the need to protect the baskets from light. To do this, they will have to be put in a dark closet or covered with a cloth. The boxes are woven from rattan and other natural materials.
What is the difference?
When choosing a box for storing potatoes, you need to consider the location of its future placement . This parameter directly affects the choice of containers.
Kitchen
For the kitchen, drawers with an attractive design are used. A massive iron container will look out of place. It is better to choose a container with holes so that the vegetables can “breathe”.
Since the kitchen is always warm, it is necessary to place the product away from the heat source. The best choice would be wicker or wooden boxes. Although many housewives prefer high-quality plastic boxes.
Balcony
Heavy boxes should not be used for the balcony. The load must be normalized. The exact numbers can be clarified in the management company or homeowners association. The maximum permissible weight for a balcony is 150 kg . If overloaded, there is a risk of the structure collapsing. There is no such restriction for loggias.
If the balcony is not glazed, then care should be taken to ensure that the potatoes do not freeze. It is impossible to put it in boxes without additional insulation, otherwise the entire harvest will be lost.
Cellar or storage room
The cellar is an ideal place to store potatoes. However, it is only available in private homes. Cellar owners prefer to store vegetables in wooden boxes and wicker baskets.
Maintaining a stable temperature throughout the year has a positive effect on the keeping quality of the crop . The main thing is that the boxes are protected from fungus, which often multiplies in basements.
The dark and cool place in the apartment is the pantry. In it, potatoes are stored in containers, wooden boxes and wicker baskets. In such conditions, the crop will remain fresh for 1-2 months.
Optimal conditions for storing potatoes on the balcony
In order for vegetables to last all winter, they are provided with the following storage conditions:
- the optimal air temperature inside the box is from + 2 °C to + 6 °C;
- The potatoes should not be exposed to sunlight or light from a heating lamp, otherwise the skin will turn green;
- regular air circulation reduces the likelihood of rot;
- the humidity inside the container is maintained at approximately 40%, which also depends on quality ventilation;
- Before loading root crops, the inside of the box is disinfected with a chlorine solution in a consistency of 400 g/10 l of water.
To better preserve the harvest in winter, potatoes are sprinkled with chalk, wood ash, and onion peels before loading them into a box. Inside the container you can put a cloth bag with dried wormwood or elderberry.
How to do it yourself?
You can make a potato storage box with your own hands. The easiest way is to assemble a wooden structure from slats. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
Sawing the workpieces. You will need bars and slats 1 cm thick. The bars are sawed so that their profile is triangular.- The bars are laid on top of each other, 2 pieces on each side, and form walls. Glue slats to them, leaving gaps between them.
- Reinforce the slats with nails.
- The slatted walls are assembled in the same way.
- The bottom is made solid, without gaps, by laying the slats tightly to each other.
- Cover the box with paint or varnish. It is better to sand it first.
You can use parts of an old set as a potato storage box.
How to choose a ready-made one?
Tips for choosing a ready-made box:
- When purchasing a ready-made potato storage box, you should give preference to trusted manufacturers. Well-known companies will not risk their reputation and produce low-quality goods.
- When purchasing plastic containers, you need to pay attention to the composition of the product. It should not contain dangerous bisphenol A. You should also find information on the information sheet that the selected plastic is suitable for storing food.
- Decide on the volume. If potatoes are to be stored in a pantry or kitchen, then a box with a capacity of up to 10 liters is sufficient. Larger boxes are used to place the harvest in the cellar.
- Form. It is most convenient to use square boxes with the same dimensions. They can be stacked on top of each other to save space.
- The presence of gaps for air passage. Ventilation will ensure better preservation of the crop.
Features of storing potatoes on the balcony in winter
If there is no basement, storing potatoes on the balcony is allowed in specially equipped containers. They are sold in stores, but making such a box yourself is much cheaper. In order for the harvest from the garden to last all winter, you need to know the specifics of storing tubers:
- The shelf life of potatoes in winter is influenced by the correct choice of vegetable. All early varieties must be discarded immediately. Tubers cannot be stored for long periods of time either on the balcony or in the cellar.
- Do not put wet potatoes in the box. The moisture will warm the tubers, begin to germinate quickly, and rot will appear in some places.
- For storage, it is advisable not to take a batch of potatoes that contains a lot of rotten tubers. Even if you sort them carefully, the vegetable will not last long in winter. The presence of rot indicates that the crop has been affected by a disease or a violation of cultivation technology.
- Potatoes that can be stored for a long time are determined by their skin. It should be thick and not easy to scrape off with your fingernails. Additionally, the thick peel preserves the original taste of the pulp. Even if you accidentally leave an open window on the balcony in winter, such tubers will not get frostbite from a short-term drop in temperature.
Advice!
The best varieties for storage are considered to be “Lasunak” and “Bronnitski”. For long-term storage in winter, it is important to prepare the tubers well. Potatoes harvested from the garden or purchased are cleaned of soil residues as much as possible.
The next important stage of preparation is drying. It’s easier to do this in the garden. The potatoes are laid out in one layer under the sun and stirred periodically. A day of drying is enough. Prolonged exposure to the sun will result in the appearance of green on the skin. Such tubers will only be used for planting in the future. If the potatoes are too wet, they are left to dry for 2-3 days, but only in the shade and in a well-ventilated place. The balcony is also suitable for drying potatoes, but due to space limitations, it is poured in a thick layer. From time to time, gently stir the tubers so as not to damage the skin.
After drying, another sorting is carried out. All potatoes with mechanical damage and signs of disease are discarded. It is advisable not to put aside tubers that are too small for long-term storage. Over time, potatoes lose their elasticity and decrease in size. By the end of winter, the small tubers will shrivel and become impossible to clean.
Damaged potatoes selected during sorting are used for cooking. Good tubers are loaded into a box and sent for storage.
Where to buy and what to look for?
When purchasing a container for potatoes, you need to focus on its price. The average cost of wooden boxes is 500 rubles. Plastic structures are cheaper, they can be purchased for 200 rubles. Wicker boxes will cost 1,500 rubles.
Top 3 best models
The most practical boxes for storing potatoes:
BranQ vegetable container transparent
The container is made of plastic . The top is open, which ensures food ventilation. By stacking containers on top of each other, you can save space. Once the drawer is empty, it can be used to store kitchen utensils. Price - from 396 rubles. Read reviews here.
Alternative M604, 650x415x395 mm
The mesh design ensures high-quality ventilation and crop safety. For convenient transportation, the container is equipped with handles. Price 1500 rubles.
Wooden box 31x23x16 cm
A stylish compact storage box will be an excellent solution for the kitchen. The product is made from solid pine needles and is highly durable and reliable .
Capacity up to 12 l. Price – 500 rubles. Read reviews here.
Pros and cons of a container
Large containers designed for large vegetable warehouses or farms are impractical for an apartment.
Household food-grade plastic containers for storing vegetables with a volume of 7-10 liters have their own characteristics.
Pros:
- inexpensive price 150-300 rubles,
- allows you to keep vegetables in small portions,
- Convenient to carry by hand.
Be sure to read:
How to pickle cucumbers for the winter: 7 best recipes without vinegar and sterilization, with vodka or mustard
Minuses:
- not suitable for long-term storage,
- inconvenient as sections for a large homemade box (there are better containers).
When is heating needed?
When storing potatoes on an uninsulated loggia, they need to be heated. To do this, use cold-resistant boxes that are powered from the mains. They consume electricity in amounts comparable to an incandescent lamp.
A good option is the so-called balcony cellar . It is represented by a backpack made of thick fabric, which is additionally insulated with padding polyester. In terms of strength, it is not inferior to ordinary boxes. Container capacity varies between 100-300 liters.
Heating is carried out by a carbon filament. To determine the temperature, a sensor is built into the “cellar”. After the end of the cold season, it is cleaned and folded. In this form it does not take up much space.
