Three chefs and a storage expert have weighed in on the longstanding debate over whether potatoes should be stored in the cupboard or the fridge. Chefs Mike Reid and Poppy Cooks, alongside HelloFresh Senior Recipe Development Manager Mimi Morley and storage expert Vlatka Lake, shared their views on the issue, with one storage method emerging as the clear favourite: the cupboard.
Chefs Unanimously Prefer Cupboard Storage
According to Mike Reid, there is only one place potatoes belong: the pantry. "Never the fridge," he said. He explained that cold temperatures convert the potato's starch into sugar, which turns potatoes gritty and sweet-tasting, and causes them to brown too quickly when roasted or fried, resulting in dark, bitter edges before the middle is cooked. Instead, he recommends storing potatoes "somewhere cool, dark and breathable" in a paper bag or basket, and keeping them away from onions because the gases they emit cause one another to spoil faster. "Potatoes and onions are a bad marriage. Keep them separated," he added.
Chef Poppy Cooks, often called the "Potato Queen," agrees. "Potatoes should always be kept in a cool, dry and dark spot. So ideally a cupboard. If they are kept in the fridge they will go off and spoil a lot quicker because of the sugars in the potato reacting with the cold and moisture of the fridge." She stores hers in a little box in the food cupboard, where they last for about a week.
Expert Advice and Seasonal Considerations
Mimi Morley also believes potatoes are best stored outside the fridge, though she notes this method is more beneficial in winter. During hotter months, putting potatoes in the fridge can "significantly prolong their lifespan" and prevent them from sprouting. She emphasises removing potatoes from plastic packaging and storing them in a paper bag, and keeping them away from ethylene-producing foods like onions, apples, avocados, bananas, peppers, and tomatoes.
Storage expert Vlatka Lake from Space Station backs cupboard storage, advising a "cool, dark place" such as a cupboard, pantry, or basement. "Exposure to moisture and light can encourage spoilage and reduce their shelf life, whereas the right storage conditions can help keep them fresh for weeks," she said. She stresses good ventilation, recommending perforated bags, mesh sacks, or open baskets to prevent moisture build-up and rotting.
Potato Companies and FSA Change Advice
Surprisingly, UK potato companies now contradict the chefs' verdict. Albert Bartlett, the country's leading potato grower and supplier, now recommends fridge storage. "All potatoes should be stored in a fridge for freshness," their website states. They previously advised a cool, dark place, but recent research shows fridge storage can extend freshness by up to three weeks, leading the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to revise its advice.
The change stems from concerns about acrylamide, a chemical formed when starches convert to sugars and react with amino acids during cooking. Acrylamide has been linked to increased cancer risk in animal studies, so earlier advice was to avoid fridge storage. However, a review of a study found that fridge storage does not materially increase acrylamide-forming potential compared to cupboard storage. The FSA now says potatoes can be stored in either the fridge or a cool, dark place to help avoid food waste.
