On one hand, potatoes are pretty easy to store. But on the other, there are a few things that you need to consider in deciding where to put them.
For the longest life, potatoes need to be stored in a place that’s:
- Cool
- Dry
- Dark
- Away from onions
- Not in plastic bags
- No pressure points (like with wire baskets)
When potatoes are stored in heat and/or light, they start to turn green and/or sprout. And if potatoes are mixed with onions or stored in plastic bags that can trap humidity, they’ll rot far faster than they would otherwise. Wire baskets and other containers that put pressure in small areas bruise potatoes and from there, rot will start.
I didn’t know all this when we began cruising, and tossed my onions and potatoes in one big clear plastic bag and stuck it in a gear hammock near the ceiling, next to a very large hatch. This was in August, in Puerto Vallarta—over 100 degrees outside. Basically, I had violated every “rule.”
And I paid for it. In a couple of days, I thought I smelled something a little off . . . and the next day noticed some “rot-drops” on the table where they’d seeped out of the plastic bag (yes, the mess wasn’t even contained). YUCK!
Learn from my experience: a much better way is to take the potatoes out of any plastic bag and put them in a plastic bin. The exact size and shape of the bin will vary depending on the space where you intend to put it, but my preference is for one with a solid bottom (so that if one does rot, the mess doesn’t drip into the rest of the locker) and ventilated sides (for air flow). I really like the Sterilite ventilated bins as shown in the photo at the top of this article.
I had one under-settee locker that was ventilated, and I kept the bin there. It was one of the coolest places on the boat as well as being dark and dry. Potatoes would easily last a couple of months as long as they hadn’t been bruised in the store. I learned not to even bother to buy any that looked abused—they just didn’t last, and the rot would quickly spread to others.
Potatoes are one of the longest-lasting veggies on a boat, if you are careful in storing them. Enjoy!
Bob Bechler says
The best way I have found is the old fashioned potato sack. Happily I was able to buy some potatoes in Samoa that came in brown burlap bags. I transfer purchases to these bags and they work great.
Thanks for the tips on recovering ‘sketchy’ potatoes….
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great if you can find one . . . I’ll be honest, the last burlap bag I saw was probably 30+ years ago. Glad to hear they are still available in some areas of the world — if you get one, take good care of it!
Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says
I think you can get burlap bags at Southern States and at Tractor Supply. You can certainly get them on Amazon.
Cynthia Cle says
Why not buy some burlap and sew up a bag!
Marianne Beck says
the reality is that the potatoes you buy in the store are already green and packed in plastic so you really see it when you get them home, the continent who brought the potato to Europe does have the most disgusting potatoes lol, in the 20 yeas I am here now I can not find one good golden salad potato – that is shameful because i want to make my good golden potato salad
Marianne Beck
Sailing Anastasia on Facebook says
How timely! I was just looking for a new way to store my spuds!
PacificSailors on Facebook says
Perfect! Thank you! Not a day goes by without a potato being eaten aboard Camille.
PacificSailors on Facebook says
It seems to me that those really light yellow, almost white potatoes last a lot longer than russets and other brown potatoes. Has anyone else found this to be true?
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
You know, I hadn’t thought about that . . . used to buy the really light ones often but haven’t seen them in the store for a while. I’m going to have to look!
Sarah and Ben (@BlueWaterDreamn) says
is heading off right now to get her potatoes out of the plastic bag!
Thanks for the tips!
Sharon Pushea says
Me too lol
Krissy says
I have never in my life seen potatoes in a burlap sack… but I have seen many burlap sacks used in making pottery, perhaps finding a location near you that does this would be helpful? They could direct you where to find them, or perhaps give up some old ones? Clay is just dirt after all right?
Jacques Landry says
Krissy, you must be very young, as just 20 years ago one could not buy large quantities of potatoes that were not a burlap bag ! 50 pound bags were the norm! You can find rice from India or China in a burlap bag in any ethnic store, and even at Costco, Sam and the likes. You can also find “hemp” bag in many places in the US and Canada and they are just like burlap bags. Look at the onlinefabricstore on the web, they have burlap bags.
Thanks for all the fun and instructive posts ! Really enjoying this.
Linda Nagle says
Why is it important not to store potatoes and onions side by side? I have two plastic bin side by side, one for potatoes and one for onions. I never store them in the same bin. Is this ok?
Carolyn Shearlock says
For some reason, when they are mixed together or very close, the potatoes tend to rot faster than they would otherwise.
SHERYL SHARD says
I read that the reason was that ethylene gas is released when onions and potatoes are stored together which causes them both to soften faster and for the potatoes to sprout. It does help to store them apart but on a boat where space is limited the “cool dark space” they both need is usually one place. Like Carolyn I store my potatoes in a plastic basket with a solid bottom so if they do get soft any gooey liquid is contain. Thanks for this post!
Capt Hack says
Onion juice makes the potato’s eyes burn 😀
Barbara Lowell says
oh too funnee! love this.
ron guetlein says
Most of your small towns have feed stores, that is where I have been buying burlap bags for years.
gene koblick says
When we cruised the Sea of Cortez, I would wet my burlap bags and cover the fresh fish we caught. Cooled them off and kept them in good condition for eating. Then I used to buy 2 kilo’s of shrimp, fresh off the boats and pigged out on shrimp and cervasa. We spent 2 years in the Sea. Owned a Palapa at what was Playa Santespec
Colin Mombourquette says
More great advice, was aware of storing potatoes in the dark but not to avoid storing them with onions – will keep them separated until they go into the stew together.
Paula Richard says
Great rules. Add one more. Toss an apple in with the stored potatoes to further inhibit sprouting.
D and Don says
Thanks, I always learn something new here.
Julie Anne says
Damn! I too keep them with my onions. 🙁 ..not anymore! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Cheryl says
What about bugs (roaches, ants)? Will they find the open container of food too appealing to resist?
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’ve never had a problem with potatoes or the other fruits and veggies that I store outside the refrig — they all need ventilation to stay dry.
sharon says
the apple works great, it allows them to be kept for ages.
SHERYL SHARD says
I hadn’t heard this before but. I’m going to try this!
Florian Wolf says
The apple scavenges any ethylene released by the potatoes, keeps them from ripening, but ripens itself – you may have to replace the apple with a new, unripe one from time to time. If you want something to ripen faster, store it with a banana or onion, as they release ethylene; if you want to prevent ripening, store it with an apple, as it captures ethylene. Applied plant biochemistry on a boat – yep 🙂 !
Tiffany Levesque says
I usually buy discarded burlap sacks from our local coffee roaster. All of her beans are imported from many of the countries popular with cruisers. Most are large enough to make at least 2-3 smaller bags. Plus they just look cool.
Thank you for all the awesome tips!
Tiffany
S/V Symbion
charlie Jones says
just a note. Red potatoes keep longer than white ones
D and Don says
What about sweet potatoes? Do the same rules apply?
Thanks!
Robin Bean says
years ago when i lived aboard I would use a bucket with water and about a 1/4 cup of bleach to 2-3 gallons of water and soak for a short time all vegtables then wipe them down and store the blaech kills all surface bacteria that promote spoilage
Georgia says
If potatoes and onions are in different cardboard boxes next to each other would they keep ok??
Carolyn Shearlock says
It’s better if they are further, but the reality is that mine are usually in plastic bins next to each other simply because that’s how the space works. It’s definitely better than putting them in the same bin, I’ve learned!
Harold Delk says
I’m not a boater, but have a small RV. The main reason not to store onions in proximity to potatoes is gases from the onions can hasten sprouting in potatoes; also onions exude moisture which hastens the rotting process. Found an inexpensive way to store them by using two bamboo steamer baskets stored a few feet apart. Space in a Class B RV is as precious as on a boat. Humidity varies though as, except for ferries, we are seldom on the water. The baskets can be used for cooking as well and returned to storage service after they dry completely. The steamer we use for onions we cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom to contain the onion skins which can cause a bit of a mess.
Anne Ellingsen says
Good tips! I learned the hard way storing them together in plastic as well
Stella Dyer says
You can sign up for emails from “the Boat Galley” great tips on a regular basis
Mark Sidmore says
set a couple of paper grocery bags on the bottom of the drawer to keep any moisture away from them helps too
Jeanie H says
even better, put the potatoes in the paper grocery bags to provide darkness and moisture absorption before putting them into your storage area. Also, If potatoes have been refrigerated when you buy them, they won’t do well being stored outside of the fridge – holds true for all of your vegetables. Previously refrigerated produce needs to be kept refrigerated so best to look for produce that has not seen the inside of a fridge : )
Gill Chidgey says
I use a netted laundry bag (the kind you get for washing bras etc) for potatoes. Easy to pull out of the netted storage area in a dark locker. Used to keep onions next to them until I learnt it was a Nono! Now I’ll have to add the Apple!!
Anonymous says
Hadn’t heard the one to add an apple! Great post Carolyn.
Anonymous says
Thanks. I’m a newbie cruiser and appreciate all your tips.
Yvonne Wilkins says
I found keeping them in a nylon knee high or stocking helps keep them even longer. I put a potato in then tie a knot then another potato and tie a knot etc.. till the stocking is full and hang them off a hook. Cut below the knot for as many potatoes as you will need each time. I do the same with onions but on a different hook not close to the potatoes.
Vivienne says
…and don’t buy potatoes that have been refrigerated. The best ones are the ones that still have soil on, and then they haven’t been washed either!
WANITA Meed says
I always bought potatoes with thicker skins and didn’t wash them. Same as any root vegetable, just brushed off the heavy dirt. In Brazil, I bought light coloured, thin skinned potatoes and they went bad really quickly as we sailed north to Caribbean.