What is the best way to keep garlic, onions and potatoes that are being stored?

Question

I don't have a root cellar : ). I live in a small apartment and I notice that garlic, onions and potatoes don't last very long before they begin getting soft, etc. Refrigerating them doesn't seem to help. Any advice?

Answer 1

The key ideas are a cool, dark, & dry space (not in the fridge) & to store them separately. I have little baskets to keep onions & potatoes. I can easily slip the basket into the back of a cabinet where it doesn't take up a lot of room sitting on top of something.
With the potatoes, I nestle them in some plain rice to wick away moisture (learned from Alton Brown). The onions seem to be ok on their own, just keep good airflow around them. Hanging them up in netting also works.
For garlic, the best thing I've found is a ceramic or stone garlic hut. Not sure how it works, but it does.

Answer 2

I keep garlic in a glass jar with a tightly closed - you know those candles that have one of those metal clip lids - I keep
onions in the bottom drawer of my refrigerator they last a long
time for me - make sure you are buying fresh ones to start
with. They should be very firm - not soft - and unblemished.
Pototoes turn starchy if you refrigerate them - just put in a
dark closet that dry - no sun they will turn green. I grow all of
these in my garden and after harvest I can keep for months.

When you potatoes are getting close to getting soft or a little
soft, make a big batch of potato salad with lots of onions in it.

Answer 3

Use a mesh bags to hang your garlic and onions in your kitchen but not in the sun. Put your potatoes in a paper bag to make sure they are not exposed to light. Store them in a cool place, not in the refrigerator.

Answer 4

i lay a clean cloth in the bottom of the crisper drawer in the fridge, and keep the fridge a bit colder than the normal settings, and it keeps stuff for me for a good month,

freezer settings normally are on the 3 but i put it on 4, the harder freeze temp. keeps stuff better,

fridge settings normally about the 5 but i put it on 7, the colder settings keeps foods fresh longer,

also having the cloth / hand towel under the veggies keeps the moisture off the veggies so they stay dry,

having it cold and dry is what keeps them longer,

Answer 5

I keep all of those in my office. It's on the north side of the house, so it's the coolest. I have a 3 drawer wire bin for them so they get some air circulation.

You don't want the fridge. That extreme cold converts them to sugar starches. I can easily get 2 weeks out of them.

Answer 6

their worst enemy is moisture. so, keep them dry.
I prefer to keep potatoes in a plastic bag (preferably dark), and my mom keeps onions and garlic in pieces of stockings - it might sound weird but it does help 100%
bon appetit in the future ;)

Answer 7

I keep them in the dark in a cool place.

If you buy your potatoes in plastic bags transfer them to one of those multiple layer paper bags when you get them home.

Answer 8

I've heard keeping them in a paper bag, in a dark cool spot keeps them longer.

Answer 9

Cool--not cold
Dry--away from moisture
Air--not sealed in plastic
Light--not necessary but maybe in a dark spot.
Under the kitchen sink???? Bedroom closet????

Answer 10

Keep them in a drawer or cabnet where it is dark and cool.