Where Do You Keep You Potatoes and Onions?

Updated on January 19, 2010
D.H. asks from Katy, TX
17 answers

I have heard that keeping onions and potatoes out can attract bugs - however, have also heard that you shouldn't keep them in the fridge? Just wondering where everybody stores theirs? I don't want to provide any food sources!

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L.F.

answers from Killeen on

I keep mine in the wire fruit baskets that hang from the ceiling
I dont want them in the fridge - even though I never had trouble with onions in the fridge - but I have never put potatoes in there....
But there is a site you might be interested in

http://www.stilltasty.com/

It tells you how to store foods, and how long they last and so forth....

I hope this helps

3 moms found this helpful
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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

Onions go in the fridge ONLY after I have cut it (like I only used 1/2). Then, I wrap it up and put it in the fridge.

Potatoes should be kept out of the fridge. I used to keep them in there, but I recently read that the fridge does something to the potato and it becomes unhealthy for us. It increases something in the potato, I forgot what the name of it is. Sorry. So, now potatoes stay outside unless they are already cooked.

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G.K.

answers from Austin on

I have a wooden box for my potatoes. Nothing special, just a box with a hinged lid. Allows enough air circulation to keep them longer & the wood helps control moisture. For onions, use a pair of ruined hose. Drop in an onion, tie a knot & repeat. Hang them in a dry spot & cut the hose below the knot as needed.

J.B.

answers from Houston on

I always keep potatoes in the fridge because I forgot about a bag in the back of my cupboard once and got gnats, so gross! I never have any trouble with them in the fridge. I also keep my onions in the fridge, but always in the crisper. I never have onion flavor in any thing and they are always fresh and good. I do keep an open box of baking soda in the door of my fridge to neutralize any odor that might get in from leftovers, etc and then just wipe down the fridge about once a week and clear out leftovers etc. I might try the hanging baskets though, that looks really nice in a kitchen I think.

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M.M.

answers from Austin on

I read somewhere that storing your onions and potatoes together caused the potatoes to sprout. I also read to keep onions in the fridge they should be wrapped in foil. I now keep the onions in the fridge (in foil) and the potatoes in the pantry in a wire basket lined with a dishtowel so I can cover them up and keep the light off of them. I also only keep a couple weeks worth of these items at a time (max). I also took everything out of the pantry and lined the edges with boric acid. I bought several plastic and glass containers for my cereals and dry goods. I have not had problems with bugs; even the sugar ants have stayed out. HTH

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J.H.

answers from Houston on

I keep the potatoes in a potato bin on the floor of the pantry right by the door. The onions and garlic are kept in a mesh bag that hangs from a hook just inside the kitchen. I do not have a bug problem.

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H.P.

answers from Houston on

I keep my onions and potatoes together in a wire basket, but the onions only stay for no more than two days. I generally cut them up and freeze them for future cooking.

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R.B.

answers from San Antonio on

I purchased a 2 tier stand from Southern Living at HOME and have soup bowls in the stand holder and then keep onions, garlic, squash, bell peppers and potatoes in those bowls. You can also mix some fake veggies in with the real ones and it sits on my counter top as a decoration. I just love it

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W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I store my Potatoes in a Grocery brown paper bag..works fine for me, as far as onions I store peeled ones in fridge in green bags, fresh ones (unpeeled) in the webbed bad they came in in a cool place.
Hope this helps.

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M.L.

answers from McAllen on

Well I never had trouble storing my onions and potatoes in the fridge. My mother made a comment that onions nor potatoes shouldn't be in the fridge for the smell. I still kept them in the fridge and I didn't smell nothing nor have the taste of onion in my mouth when I would store leftovers. Now I have my potatoes in the fridge with the rest of the vegetables and the onions out with the garlic. I had no problem either and how clean you have your fridge. Hmm . . . your guess is as good as mine where they are suppose to be stored. Lol, sorry if I wasn't much help. :)

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A.C.

answers from Houston on

Potatoes shouldn't be stored long-term in the refrigerator. It causes the starches to convert to simpler sugars and can change the flavor and/or texture over time. They'll generally last several weeks at room temperature. I DO keep mine in the fridge, but only buy a couple at a time so we eat them quickly...too many bugs around to give them any more temptation.

It is basically the same for onions...though their natural sugar content is already higher. But it can affect the texture...less crisp...more chewy...tougher. It all depends on how you are using them on whether or not it matters to you. Storing them in the cold and then bringing them out to warmer temperatures CAN cause them to sprout more readily. It essentially mimics the winter resting period and the warmer temperatures trigger growth.

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B.M.

answers from Waco on

I keep mine in a veggie bin & have never had a problem attracting bugs. If I use only part of an onion, once its peeled & cut I place it in the fridge then.

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C.W.

answers from Waco on

Hi D.
yes, potatoes can attract bugs, in fact some could possibly come home with you in the packaging from time to time, however, if you only purchase a few it is ok to keep them in a pantry- off the floor if possible. If you purchase say 15 lb bag- you would not want 15lbs potatoes in the fridge- but if you just buy a small pkg- the fridge is ok- I always keep my onions in the fridge- regardless- they just last longer.
good luck and blessings

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K.M.

answers from Houston on

I keep mine in wicker baskets in a cabinet - not on the floor - and have never had a problem with bugs. They're kept in a nice, cool, dark place with enough air circulation so that they don't rot (ever read of the root cellar?). The onions go into the fridge once they're cut and I only buy as many potatoes as I might need for the week. Only once have I bought one of the big bags and it turned out to be a waste; half of the potatoes seemed to have either rotted or sprouted long before I was able to use them.
Good luck.

T.C.

answers from Austin on

I always take the potatoes out of the plastic bag they came in- because it holds in too much moisture and makes them mold. I either put them in a cloth bag that's meant for storing them, or sometimes in a bowl in a dark cupboard. We like onions as a decoration. I usually keep them in a big onion-shaped bowl on the counter, or for the onions from the garden I make them into a braid and hang them. We've never had a problem with any bugs eating potatoes or onions in the house. One time we did have a problem with mice, though.

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J.C.

answers from Houston on

I keep my onions and potatoes in my fridge.

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N.H.

answers from Houston on

My mom always kept (probably still does) her onions and potatos in a metal basket under the sink. Never had a bug problem & she'd only wash them when ready to use. I usually cut up my onions (well my hubby does) & put them in a butter bowl in the freezer & just dig out what I need. I've kept potatos in the vegetable bin in the fridge though & they seemed to do okay. My aunt/uncle kept potatos (probably still does) in a 'potato bin' a large wooden, tall box of sorts made for that purpose I guess. Probably something that was p/u at a fair or someplace but that's where they keep theirs. Good luck!

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