Storing onions and potatoes in the same cellar

Storing onions and potatoes in the same cellar - Plate and Fresh Vegetables on Wooden Table

Potatoes and onions have the same storage guidelines: store them in a a well-ventilated area in the pantry.

However, I have read that onions should be kept away from potatoes as onions will absorb moisture from the potatoes, causing the onions to spoil.

Since my cellar is quite small, I wonder what distance should be kept between the onions and potatoes so that they don't hurt each other?



Best Answer

I believe that advice is mainly meant for people storing a large quantity of potatoes and onions (like two 10lbs bags) for long periods of time (like 2-3 months). I can't imagine it applies to a few potatoes and onions stored in a basket.

I have a pantry which is consistently between 60F and 68F, with a humidity of 60% to 80%. I have stored potatoes and onions together in a hanging wire basket for up to 4 weeks at a time. While the potatoes will turn green and sprout in that time (I buy organic) the onions are still good (although somewhat stronger after a month).

So my answer is: ignore that advice.




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Quick Answer about "Storing onions and potatoes in the same cellar"

Potatoes and onions have the same storage guidelines: store them in a a well-ventilated area in the pantry. However, I have read that onions should be kept away from potatoes as onions will absorb moisture from the potatoes, causing the onions to spoil.

Can you store onions potatoes together in root cellar?

Ethylene-producing crops need to be stored separately from those sensitive to ethylene \u2013 vegetables you don't want to sprout, such as onions and potatoes. Other Vegetables in Cellars.

Can onions and potatoes store together?

Be careful about the neighbors: Just like garlic, you'll want to keep the onions in a ventilated space. In fact, it's perfectly fine to store the two alongside each other, says Davison. 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.

Can onions and potatoes be stored in the same basket?

While potatoes are sensitive to ethylene gasses, the reason to keep onions and potatoes apart has to do with moisture. Both onions and potatoes release moisture, which can lead to faster spoiling. It's best to store them separately in an area that has good air flow, is dry and somewhat cool.

Where should onions and potatoes be stored?

1. Keep Them Out of the Sunlight (but Not Out of Sight). Don't store potatoes out in the open on the countertop. Keep them in a drawer, in a basket, in a closet, in a paper bag, or in a bamboo vegetable steamer\u2014anywhere that's dark\u2014and they should last for one to 2 weeks.



Storing Potatoes, Onions, and Garlic in a Root Cellar (Dec 2020 and Feb 2021)




More answers regarding storing onions and potatoes in the same cellar

Answer 2

I keep them in separate (yet adjacent) solid bins that do not share airflow, though I agree with the above that the ambient air and humidity are more influential than the intermingling of off-gasses of the actual onions/potatoes.

I prefer a drier pantry (40% humidity). But since everywhere is different try a few different spots and see what works in your house.

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