It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Spendless

Katiehound said:

Spendless said:

  Potatoes and onions are kept in specific bags/storage containers I've had for years in a cupboard that isn't opened a great deal. 

yes I keep my onions & potatoes that way but they are not supposed to be near each other- (mine have to be, constraints of space)
 

Why do you separate onions and potatoes?

Sure, spuds and bulbs are tasty when combined together in meals. But they should actually be stored far away from one another. Why? Your onions produce and emit ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process and can cause nearby potatoes to rot and spoil more quickly.

Oh I didn't know that. The onions are in a metal container and the potatoes in a cloth sack but both on the same bottom shelf. I shall try moving somewhere....not sure where yet and and see if it makes any difference to the spuds

EssexHebridean

Lakel@nd's Stayfresh bags are still available - I bought some a few months ago and they still work amazingly! 

Katiehound

EssexHebridean said:

Lakel@nd's Stayfresh bags are still available - I bought some a few months ago and they still work amazingly! 

Sorry, I meant the cheapie version- not sure if the cheaper ones are available as they work almost as well for a lot less. Haven't looked for them.........

London_1

celery,cabbage,cauli,I wrap in foil and keep in the veg box at the bottom of the fridge
\
 I have a lettuce bowl keeper that someone sent me on here a couple of years ago, as my previous one had eventually fallen apart. They are brilliant for iceberg lettuce as you pierce the bottom with the spike inside and place in the bowl and snap the lid on.keps lettuce fresh until you have finished eating it, in my case an icebrg lasts me about 10-14 days. I never use any metal utensil on lettuce as thats what makes it go brown I just tear off what I need at a time.carrots i keep loose in the veg fridge box sitting on kitchen roll or peeled, in cold  water in the fridge, or peeled blanched diced and frozen.potatoes I peel once a week and keep in a bowl of water in the fridgee change the water every couple of days I have a bowl of new potatoes in water at the moment that I bought 10 days ago and will finish off tonight steamed with some diced cabbage for the sides for my dinner. Mushroom I peel and store in a bowl lined with kitchen roll in the fridge. I store the stems in the freezer and save for casseroles or stews. Apples ,especially Gala ones keep for weeks in the fridge veg box . oranges I keep in my conservatory bananas I only buy a few at a time as they go on the turn too quickly but I try to but fairly green ones if I can to last longer. If starting to get a bit sofft I whizz them into some vanilla ice cream to use them up and freeze. blackberrys are picked in season left to soak in salt for a couple of hours ,rinsed, then patted dry and frozen for winter time when a nice apple and blackberry pie in January reminds you of summer to come (hopefully ). Peppers I keep in the fridge and if not eaten and starting to get soft I dice and feeze to use in cooking.I don't eat cucumber very often as its not worth me buying a whole one as it would go soft before all gone ,but if I buy a half then remove the plastic cover and cover the cut end in foil to stop it getting too soft. Soft fruits get eaten in season and fairly quickly. I do try to eat fruit and veg in  season and veg past its best goes into soup.

Broomstick

I know the original question was about fridge storage but, if there's anyone like me who is experimenting without a fridge at the moment, Stayfresh bags appear to be working out of the fridge too.  I've been storing, in a LL Stayfresh bag on the side in the kitchen, a bag of carrots bought a week ago and they are still dry and look really fresh. I've a bag of spinach leaves which I'm intending to part use tonight so I'll see how well the remainder lasts in a bag.

I've been balancing the base of anything that has a stalk or roots, eg broccoli, leeks, spring onions, cos lettuce, celery in a shallow container of water (changed daily) and this also seems to work really well in keeping those veggies for longer out of the fridge. 

Wraithlady

I never found the Stayfresh bags worked very well on leaves, so would be interested in the outcome.

Admittedly, they didn't go slimy, just limp and wrinkled

otb666

@Spendless my oldest son did what your son is doing 6 years ago and it all worked out fine.  He also moved to a place which i thought he would struggle to find work and he got work and is still there bought a house had a child.  They have tried to get married several times but have been very unlucky with the lockdowns.  He is 150 miles away and lived with partners parents for 4 years.  I think thats why i am happy to let youngest stay because you do feel bereft But honestly its better for them and he has really grown up now and also saved a shed load with him not being here Hope this helps
The job he has had for 6 years was not a graduate job but he has progressed (because of degree) and is on way more than me and hubby ever been on.

On storing fruit and veg after lots of trials and errors found company that delivers fresh, non plastic wrapped veg and keep well in cardboard box under sink cupboard

PearlRose

Thank you so much for your replies. 

@Katiehound  Thanks for recommendation. Just googled and found the Lakeland Stayfresh bags on Amazon (£6.99 for 20). Glad to know they are reusable. 

@Bluegreen143 Thank you for your advice about using kitchen towel. I once wrapped a bunch of spring onion with a piece of kitchen towel (can’t remember why I did that though) and it did look good after almost a week. Will try that again.

PearlRose

It’s interesting to read about that onions and potatoes should be stored separately. Will try the Stayfresh bags as I saw a couple of people recommending them😄

PearlRose

@London_1 and @Broomstick Thank you for mentioning using water, especially for keeping vegs with roots or stalk fresh. This sounds like having cut flowers in a vase😄