Undoubtedly, the best way to store whole, uncooked potatoes is outside of the fridge. Storing potatoes in the fridge will cause the starch to turn to sugar, giving them a sweet flavor that you don't want from your potatoes.
Keep Potatoes in a Cool and Dry Environment
As previously explained, potatoes should be placed in a cardboard box, mesh bag, or basket to ensure good ventilation. Store your potatoes in a cool, dark place (45 to 50 F is the ideal temperature range), such as your pantry or unheated basement.
Generally, potatoes last one to two months when stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated space (never under the sink!), such as the pantry, versus one to two weeks in the refrigerator, according to FoodSafety.gov's FoodKeeper app, the federal consumer resource for food safety.
The Science Behind the Spuds
Storing potatoes in a cool, dark (but not forgotten) place hugely decelerates this inevitable decomposition, protects against sprouting, and, to some degree, sweetens the tubers. It's also important not to store potatoes and onions together.
Keep them in a cool, dry place away from light, like a dark corner of the kitchen or in a cabinet. Wherever you store them should be well ventilated. And, if possible, avoid storing them near other fruits (like bananas or onions) that can cause them to spoil faster.
Don't store potatoes in the fridge.
Raw potatoes have lots of starches, and the cold temperatures can turn the starches into sugars. This can make your potatoes turn sweeter and darker during cooking.
Instead use burlap sacks or breathable containers like paper bags, cardboard boxes, baskets and bowls to allow for air flow. Don't freeze raw potatoes.
Your potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard for up to 5 weeks. Use a storage container that is well-ventilated, such as a crate, a cardboard box with holes punched in it, or any container that will allow any excess moisture to evaporate.
In general, the optimum, long-term storage temperature for processing potatoes is approximately 45° F. For fresh market potatoes, a temperature of 40° F. is recommended. Seed potatoes may be stored at slightly lower temperatures (38° to 40° F.) for better weight loss and sprout control.
On the FSA website, the new advice says: "A recent study, which has been reviewed by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), has shown that home storage of potatoes in the fridge doesn't materially increase acrylamide forming potential when compared to storage in ...
Store in a Cool, Dry Place
For this reason, he says it's best to store onions in a cool, dry place like a cellar, pantry, or even a garage. While they can be stored whole in the fridge, Yee notes that this causes the onion to convert starch to sugar, and can result in soft or soggy onions.
Sprouted potatoes that are still firm, have relatively small sprouts, and don't show any wrinkles or shriveling are okay to eat, as long as you cut off the sprouted parts and soft spots. However, there's still a chance you could get sick. If your potato is sprouted and shriveled up, then it's too far gone. Toss, it.
So if you're wondering… can you store potatoes in a paper sack? Well, you sure can! As opposed to closed off airtight containers or zipped up plastic bags, open brown paper bags are a great way to store potatoes to allow for proper ventilation and air flow.
Potatoes should be kept separate from other vegetables and fruits that release a high amount of ethylene gas, including apples, avocados, pears, and apricots. Potatoes that are exposed to too much sunlight will start sprouting, which can affect the taste and potentially render them toxic.
A foot or two between onion and potato bags, in a well ventilated closet or other area is sufficient to allow moisture from the potatoes to dissipate. Onions can be frozen, but I don't recommend it. They can easily turn into a watery mess. Onions - once cut - are best stored in the refrigerator.
What you don't want is to have your potatoes and onions in close proximity, as gases from the onions can hasten sprouting in potatoes. Kept in the dark: Davison says your potatoes should be stored inside a paper bag in a cool, dark, dry place. And as mentioned above, away from onions and their sprout-encouraging gases.
Keep potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place.
A kitchen cupboard or closet, even the basement or garage, can all the good choices. The 45°F to 55°F temperature range is the sweet spot for potato storage, where they can last for months.
Put the potatoes on a sheet of newspaper in a dark place – it's important they don't touch, as air needs to circulate between the spuds. Leave your potatoes here for a couple of weeks. Store in a well-ventilated, cool, dry place below 10°C.
Stop potatoes from sprouting by storing them in a dark, cool place that's between 45 and 50°F (7 and 10°C). Additionally, store your potatoes in paper or cotton bags or cardboard boxes to avoid moisture buildup.
The main thing with eggs, is that you want them to remain at a constant temperature, otherwise they can become unsafe for consumption. Fluctuations in temperature can cause salmonella in eggs, so the best place to store eggs is the fridge. And in the main bit of the fridge, and not the door.
Ripe tomatoes should still be kept at on your counter, uncovered, if you are going to enjoy the tomato in the next day or two. But any longer than that – the recommendation is to refrigerate. A so-so tomato is much better than a rotten, moldy tomato. Refrigeration will slow down the decay.
This process, which is called oxidation, happens because potatoes are a naturally starchy vegetable. And when exposed to oxygen, starches turn gray, brown, or even black. An oxidized potato is completely safe to eat. The process doesn't affect the flavor or texture of the vegetable.