Potato cold storage is a preservation solution that keeps potatoes fresh and maintains quality for a long time. To ensure that potatoes are not damaged or lose their nutritional value, the construction and cold storage installation should be performed by reputable and professional units. In this article, Tan Long will introduce the construction and installation process potato cold storage quality, helping you have an effective and sustainable preservation system.
What is cold storage for potatoes?
Potato cold storage Designed to maintain temperatures between 2°C and 4°C, helping to preserve potatoes for a long time and ensure seed sources for the next crop.
How to preserve potatoes in cold storage:
- Select seed bulbs: Choose disease-free bulbs, do not choose old, diseased, or too large bulbs. Remove damaged bulbs.
- Packing: Use mesh bags or sacks.
- Time of stocking: After 15 - 20 days from harvest to ensure the tuber skin is healthy and does not have too high water content.
Potato storage temperature in cold storage
- Early stage: Reduce temperature to 18°C for 10 – 14 days to create a protective layer and minimize damage to the tubers.
- Next phase: Reduce from 18°C to 2°C in 7 – 10 days, with each day decreasing by 2°C, to allow the potatoes to adapt to the cold storage environment.
- Maintain temperature: During storage, keep the temperature between 2°C – 5°C and humidity 90-95% to limit germination and bacteria. Check the system every week to ensure stable operation.
Humidity in cold storage for potatoes
Potatoes need to maintain the right humidity during storage to avoid drying out and wilting, which can lead to loss of quality. To achieve this, cold storage must be equipped with an automatic humidity system. This system will help regulate and maintain humidity at the ideal level, usually 90-95%, helps potatoes stay fresh and not lose water.
CO2 gas treatment system in potato cold storage
After harvest, potatoes continue to respire, producing CO2. If CO2 accumulates in cold storage without being removed, it will cause suffocation, causing the potatoes to rot. Therefore, the CO2 treatment system in cold storage is very important. This system works by sucking CO2 out and supplying O2 into the storage, maintaining an ideal environment for potatoes, helping them to metabolize normally and not be damaged.
Spraying anti-sprouting chemicals
During storage, potatoes can sprout if left unchecked, reducing their commercial value and even producing toxic substances. To prevent this, spraying with anti-sprouting chemicals is necessary. This process needs to be done periodically to ensure that potatoes do not sprout during storage, helping to maintain quality and safety for consumers.
Structure of potato cold storage parts
Structure potato cold storage Includes main ingredients:
- Cold storage shell: Made from insulated panels (EPS or PU) to help maintain stable heat.
- Cooling system: Compressor and condenser Maintain temperature between 2°C and 5°C.
- Humidification system: Ensure humidity 90-95%, prevent potatoes from drying and wilting.
- CO2 treatment system: Absorb CO2 and supply O2 to maintain the respiration process of potatoes.
- Control system: Temperature and humidity management maintained in cold storage.
- Anti-sprouting spray system: Prevent potatoes from sprouting during storage.
- Cold storage door: Closed design, good insulation, prevents heat loss when opening the door.
This structure helps cold storage for potatoes long lasting and keep good quality.
Potato cold storage installation
Before putting the potatoes in cold storage, need to choose uniform seed tubers, not too big, not deformed, diameter from 3-4cm. Remove diseased, scratched tubers, then pack them in loose pineapple bags to create ventilation, reduce evaporation. Put the potatoes in cold storage after 10-20 days from harvest to make the tuber skin harder and reduce water content, ensuring the quality of the seed tubers.
Things to know when using cold storage for potatoes
Arrange the potatoes in rows potato cold storage to allow good air and humidity circulation. Initially, lower the storage temperature to 18°C for 10-14 days. Then, gradually reduce 2°C each day for 7-10 days until the temperature reaches 2-4°C. Maintain this temperature and humidity of 90-95% during storage to inhibit germination, reduce respiration and limit harmful fungi and bacteria.
Above is necessary information for businesses planning to install. potato cold storage for better preservation. For more details, you can contact Tan Long via hotline on website.
