Potatoes are tubers that grow beneath the soil and, once harvested, they store well in cool dark conditions for up to six months. New potato plants sprout from potatoes--which are full of the nutrients and water that new potato plants need--so it is important to store them in complete darkness to keep them in a dormant state. Constructing your own potato storage bin box is a practical home solution for storing your potatoes. Add this to my Recipe Box.
The Construction
Use wood boards from your local lumber yard to construct your potato storage bin. The bin will have six main pieces--the front, back, two sides, top and bottom. Use 12-inch wide wood boards to accommodate a good number of potatoes.
Cut the height of your boards to no more than 30 inches high. At the bottom of the front panel, you will cut off first a three-inch wide piece and then a four-inch wide piece. Attach the three-inch piece to the bottom of the front of the unit, and then attach two small hinges to the top of this piece and also connect them to the bottom of the four-inch piece. The four-inch piece will be a door that flaps open at the bottom of the potato storage bin box and the three-inch support piece is to just stabilize the front of the box.
After placing the rest of the front piece above the front flap, use wood glue and nail all the pieces together--minus the front flap--and then cut a piece of wood to cover the bottom. Cut the top piece and also hinge this to function as a lid to lift and fill up the bin box with potatoes. Screw a small magnetic catch to both the front flap door and the top lid to hold them in the closed position when not in use.
Ventilation
Instead of taking on the challenge of installing a screen insert into your potato storage bin box, drill ventilation holes on the back side of the bin. Use a small drill bit that is sufficient enough for good air flow. Add a design to your ventilation holes. Before drilling, sketch a motif or pattern, mark the locations of your drill holes with a pencil and drill the holes.
Take from the Bottom
Potatoes are tough looking, but they cannot stand up to a tough beating for long. This is why you should take your potatoes from the bottom; the older potatoes at the bottom support all the weight. This is also why your potato bin is not too deep because of the heavy water content that potatoes have.
Decorate
Stain or paint the exterior of your potato storage bin box. Coordinate it with your kitchen décor and add decorative designs to it. Add knobs to the lid and door flap; place in the most convenient, dark and cool spot of your kitchen for potato storage.
Tags: your potato, your potato storage, potato storage, potato storage, bottom front, drill holes
