Whether to wash potatoes before storing

Content

1 Advantages and disadvantages of washed potatoes
- 1.1 Advantages of storing washed potatoes
- 1.2 but on the other hand
2 How to wash potatoes
3 Features of the tubers storage box
- 3.1 Thermal container
4 Some helpful tips

Most gardeners grow potatoes on their plots. And is it possible to imagine a Russian table without an excellent potato dish? The answer seems to be obvious. But in order to enjoy dishes from this vegetable, it must be preserved until the next harvest.

Each person has their own secrets of storing root crops. Some are sure that unwashed potatoes are stored betterwhile others argue that it needs to be washed or it will become a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Which of these statements is correct? This article will answer the question of whether to wash potatoes before storing.

Advantages and disadvantages of washed potatoes

In order to have an objective view of this issue, this article will look at both the advantages of storing washed potatoes and its disadvantages. One thing is clear - potatoes should be stored dry. Whether the root crop was washed or not does not matter. An important role is played by the air temperature in the room in which the potato tubers and air humidity are stored. Thus, the temperature should not be higher than + 5 ° C and not lower than + 2 ° C. Air humidity should be within 80–91%. To achieve these indicators, supply and exhaust ventilation must be installed in the cellar.

Advantages of storing washed potatoes

Each storage method has its own advantages. Therefore, we suggest that you consider the advantages of storing washed potatoes:

Flaws are immediately visible on washed potatoes. So, you can immediately remove infected and damaged tubers, which will protect the rest of the potatoes from spoilage. That is, thanks to the washing, you can carry out a better sorting of potatoes.
If you wash the potatoes, then they will have a presentation. It is more pleasant to work with her in the process of cooking.
Cleaning the cellar after storing washed potatoes in it takes much less time.
After washing the tubers, they can be treated with a solution of copper sulfate or slaked lime to prevent spoilage of vegetables.

but on the other hand

Each storage method has a flip side of the coin, and for the sake of honesty, it should be discussed as well:

If, during the washing process, you damage the peel and dry enough tubers, they will naturally deteriorate faster.
If we wash the potatoes before putting them in the cellar, then the process of preparing the tubers for storage will take longer.
In order to wash potatoes before storing, you need to spend a lot of water.
Sufficient space must be allocated to dry washed potatoes, which is not always possible.
If the potatoes have been washed, then drying will have to take more time. This is important, otherwise the tubers will rot from excess moisture. During the drying process, the potatoes should be turned over from time to time so that they dry evenly.
Some summer residents believe that washing the tubers violates the natural layer that protects vegetables from spoilage.

Important! Potatoes are usually washed only when they were picked in dirty weather and a lot of dirt has adhered to the tubers. In other cases, drying the tubers is usually sufficient.

How to wash potatoes

A tub or a large saucepan can serve as a container for rinsing potato tubers. It is desirable that the container used for washing potatoes is not previously used for other household needs, especially for washing.

Then you need to pour the potatoes into the bath and fill it with water at room temperature. Each potato tuber is thoroughly washed, without violating the integrity of the peel.In the process of washing, injured and diseased potatoes are rejected. In addition, tubers can be sorted at this stage - large for human consumption and small for planting next year.

If you wash potatoes in a container, then the water must be changed several times until it becomes transparent. Alternatively, you can wash the potato tubers under running water. On a previously prepared surface, you need to decompose the washed vegetables in one or maximum two layers. A metal sheet, boards, polyethylene or cloth can serve as a substrate for drying potatoes on the ground. The bottom line is that the tubers do not come into contact with damp soil.

If the weather is hot, then 3 hours will be enough to dry the tubers. In this case, you need to turn the potatoes at least three times. At cooler temperatures, it can take up to 8 hours to dry. There is no specific time, it is important that the potatoes become dry. It can then be folded into boxes and take it to a dark place.

After 10-14 days, the tubers should be rejected. After that, the dry and washed potatoes can be taken to the cellar. It is better to store potato tubers in wooden boxes or natural burlap bags.

Features of the tubers storage box

You don't have to buy crates. You can make them yourself from shields or wooden boards. In order for the potatoes to be better stored, the boxes must be double, that is, the smaller one is inserted into the larger one. In this case, you can be 100% sure that the tubers will not come into contact with the soil. The bottom and lid of the box must be double. The voids between the boxes can be filled with sawdust or foam.

From the outside, the box needs to be upholstered. This can be done with a piece of galvanized steel, linoleum, plastic, or paint wooden elements. All of these steps will help you protect your potatoes from moisture.

Thermal container

If you live in an apartment and the only place for storing potatoes is a balcony, then if it is impossible to build a box on your own, you can purchase a special thermal container.

This design is essentially a double bag made of durable fabric used to make tents. A durable synthetic winterizer is used as insulation. This thermal container is also provided with electric heating, which ensures a constant temperature inside it, varying within + 1 + 7 ºС. Such a device will fit very well into the balcony interior, as it has an attractive appearance. In addition, this way you can protect your potatoes from freezing even in the most severe frosts.

Some helpful tips

The following tips can help you save potatoes until spring effortlessly:

If you mix potato tubers with dry bitter wormwood or ordinary sheath, you can protect the potato from rotting.
Plants that produce phytoncides lengthen the shelf life of potatoes. Many summer residents shift tubers with spruce or pine branches or rowan leaves.
If you put a fern or elderberry in boxes with potatoes, then it will rot less, and, therefore, it will survive until the next harvest.
Peppermint delays the banding process of the potato. If you shift the tubers with it, then the rings on them will appear much later.
You can store potatoes in an apartment at room temperature for 2-3 weeks if you put them in a plastic bag and tie them tightly.

So, it's up to you to wash or not wash the potatoes before storing. The method has both pros and cons. An objective view of this issue was provided in the article, but in order to expand your knowledge, we invite you to additionally watch the video:

Storing washed potatoes