Learning the best way to store vegetables can help keep food lasting much longer, with one chef explaining the best place to store potatoes07:49, 02 Sep 2026Potatoes are one of the most versatile staples in any kitchen, and as the temperature drops, many of us are turning to them for hearty stews, warming soups and comforting baked dishes. But with autumn bringing rising heating bills and the looming cost of Christmas, every penny counts.‌One of the easiest ways to reduce food waste and cut your shopping bill is knowing how to store your kitchen essentials correctly – and potatoes are a great place to start. Vegetarian chef and recipe developer Jerry James Stone, whose culinary work has featured on the Discovery Channel, Whole Foods and Costco, shared his top tips for keeping potatoes fresh for longer.‌Speaking in an online video, he revealed: "Stored properly, potatoes can last up to three months. I've even had them last up to six months and still keep fresh."‌Where to store your potatoesAccording to Jerry, getting it right is "pretty simple actually". Potatoes should be kept in a pantry, cupboard or cellar – away from the fridge and out of direct sunlight. The key is finding somewhere dark, cool and well-ventilated, reports the Express.Jerry explained: "They like being in a dark cool place, so it's really important to keep potatoes out of the sun.‌"When they're exposed to too much light, they actually produce a chemical called solanine – it's what potatoes use to protect themselves in nature. This solanine makes them really bitter and just not tasty."When it comes to what to store them in, an open brown paper bag is ideal. Jerry warned against using plastic: "You don't want to store them in plastic, and you definitely don't want to store them in a sealed plastic bag, because they don't like the moisture."That sealed bag is going to trap moisture, which is really unpleasant for potatoes. When they're stored in a brown paper bag, keep that bag open and place it somewhere cool, well-ventilated and dark."‌Where not to store your potatoesLeaving potatoes out on the kitchen worktop might seem convenient, but Jerry says it is far from ideal. Exposure to light can cause them to turn green and begin sprouting.He explained: "This isn't the worst thing – it's just chlorophyll. It's still safe to eat, but it's not pleasant, and honestly, if you eat too much of it, it's going to give you stomach problems."‌The fridge, despite seeming like a logical choice, is also off-limits. Potatoes prefer a humid environment, and the cold temperature causes a chemical reaction that alters their flavour.Jerry said: "Putting potatoes in the fridge takes the starches within the potato and starts converting them into sugars. That makes for a really unpleasant taste, and it's also kind of hard to work with when it comes to baking or cooking."Finally, be mindful of what you store your potatoes near. Jerry advised keeping them away from ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, onions and garlic, as these can cause potatoes to spoil far more quickly.‌He said: "You want to keep your potatoes away from anything ethylene-producing, like apples and bananas. Those types produce ethylene gas, which will cause potatoes to ripen faster than they're supposed to. This is why you should never store your potatoes next to onions or garlic, for that very reason."For his final tip, Jerry explained that potatoes should never be stored alongside onions or garlic, as these vegetables will cause them to start spoiling far more rapidly.‌Other vegetables you can store in cool, dark placesPotatoes are not the only vegetable that benefits from being kept somewhere cool, dark and well-ventilated. Several other common kitchen staples share similar storage needs, and keeping them in the right conditions can significantly extend their shelf life and reduce food waste.Onions and garlic store best in a cool, dark and dry spot with good air circulation, such as a pantry or a mesh bag hung in a cupboard. While they should be kept away from potatoes due to the ethylene gas they produce, they thrive in very similar conditions and can last for several months when stored correctly.Sweet potatoes, much like their white counterparts, prefer a cool, dark environment and should never be stored in the fridge. Kept in a well-ventilated cupboard or pantry, they can stay fresh for up to a month.Article continues belowTurnips and swedes also do well in cool, dark and slightly humid conditions. If you have a garage or a cool utility room, these root vegetables can keep for several weeks with minimal fuss.Celeriac, the knobbly root vegetable increasingly popular in winter cooking, is another good candidate for cool, dark storage. It can last for several weeks in a pantry or cool cupboard, and even longer if kept in a cool garage or cellar.