Potatoes store well in cool, dark areas for up to six months.
To protect potatoes, it is essential to store them in a dark, cool and ventilated room, such as a closet or cabinet. Warm temperatures will cause the potatoes to sprout, while cold temperatures cause the potatoes to wither. Instead of leaving the potatoes on your kitchen counter in their perforated bags, you can build a potato bin for storage and protection from light and humidity. These bins will not only help shelter the potatoes, but can also be used as decor in the kitchen by personalizing the bins with paint or wood stain.
Instructions
1. Use the Miter saw to cut three pieces of wood of 30 inches in length.
2. Cut three additional pieces, with one measuring 28 inches, another 12-inches square, and the last 14 inches in length.
3. Measure two inches from one end of one 30-inch wooden board with the measuring tape. Make a mark using the pencil. Repeat this procedure for the second 30-inch wooden board.
4. Draw a line from the 2-inch mark with the carpenter's square. Place the square so the end of the line will reach the opposite corner of the wooden board. This will create a 2-inch slope.
5. Cut along the lines drawn to remove the sloped pieces from the 30-inch boards with the Miter saw.
6. Place the remaining 30-inch wooden board on a flat surface to serve as the back of the potato bin. Place the sloped pieces with the slope facing outward against the edges of the flat wooden board to form the sides of the potato bin. Secure the sides to the back piece with screws.
7. Attach the 28-inch wooden board to the front of the box with wood screws. Place the 12-inch square at the bottom of the box and secure it with wood screws.
8. Attach the remaining 14-inch wooden board to the sloped top of the potato bin. Align the edge of the piece with the back of the bin and secure the piece with hinges to the back of the potato bin. The front of the piece will have a slight overhang over the front of bin.
9. Sand down any rough edges and apply wood stain to the potato bin for a finished look.
10. Allow the wood stain to dry before placing potatoes in the box. Read the label on the wood stain to determine the allotted drying time.
Tags: wooden board, wood stain, 30-inch wooden, 30-inch wooden board, piece with, back potato
