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Ok, but if you live in a tiny apt, and it's summer, the only place that is actually cool is the fridge. So is it ok to put them in there? I have mine in the pantry, but they often sprout.

And if they are sprouting, are they still ok to eat?

Ah, I was coming here with the same question. Is there anything wrong with putting them in the fridge? We leave ours out on the counter and they also sprout quickly.

I think it's still OK to eat sprouted potatoes -- they just lose a lot in taste and texture.

According to "On Food and Cooking" by Harold McGee, storing potatoes at lower temperatures (like in a fridge) causes starch to break down into sugars, affecting the flavor, texture, and how the potatoes cook. This makes me think it's ok to store them in the fridge, but maybe for long periods of time.

Hope that helps!

The photo for this story is a good example of the sort of potato you shouldn't eat. When potatoes (especially those with thin, light colored skin) are exposed to light, they start to turn greenish. That greening of the potato correlates with an increased level of a toxin called solanine. That's reason enough to make sure that you store them in the dark.

Greenish skin, eyes or sprouts are all an indicator of increased solanine levels. This toxin is related to strychnine and can cause neurotoxic reactions as well as diarrhea.

It's hard for an adult to eat enough potato to get a dramatic reaction from the toxin, but kids are more vulnerable due to their smaller size.

My potatoes always turn green. I've tried the paper bag, the refrigerator, the basement, they still turn green. I've given up.

I not only live in a tiny apartment, my kitchen also has no windows. There is a vent (that may or may not work) but that's about it. I live on the top floor of my building, so the kitchen is generally the warmest part of the house. If I were to follow this method I'd have baked potatoes pretty quickly!!

What if there is green on the potato and you cut that off? Is the rest of it ok then?

I always keep my potatoes in the refrigerator, because there's nowhere else in my small apartment to store them. They last a long time in the fridge, and I haven't noticed a flavor difference.

I guess no one has a root cellar anymore, and my last root cellar had rattlesnakes living in it---I said fine. It wasn't in the house but was out by the barn.

I store my potatoes in a wicker basket that I have lined with a large dishtowel (36"x36"). I check every potato before I put it in the basket, then I fold the towel over the top and set in a dark place. I've had very good luck because the potatoes can still breathe.

Oops. We just keep them in the full light in the plastic bag they came in. I saw condensation in the bag this morning. Better move them to the dark and into a basket when I get home!!!

Like Fontessa I keep mine in a wicker basket and keep it on the bottom shelf of my Ikea BEKVÄM kitchen cart (love it!!!) and they seem to be quite happy there. It's not the coolest place in the house but it's dark and they do tend to start sprouting after a while but I don't have a basement so it will have to do for now!

I also store my potatoes in the fridge. I've also never noticed a difference in taste. I mostly use those potatoes for making beans or in stews. But whenever I'm making potato salad or mashed I buy them the same day.

Great tips though!