What do people find is the best way to store apples to get them to keep for as long as possible?
We tried storing Bramley and Arthur Turner and one by one they went bad so this year we are freezing the excess
The only one I store is Bramley, and my tree isn't very big, so I slice the apples and freeze them.
I store mine in big baskets in shed. I've got sturdy shelfs built so they can take some weight.
I don't bother wrapping them individually..like the usual advise is. I just make sure that those for storage are properly blemish free. Once in baskets I put layer of bubble wrap on top and old duvet over the whole lot.
In 'normal' winter they store well without freezing..and now and then I check for any obvious spoilt ones.
I usually manage to store untill end of March then any left start going too wrinkly and they end up on bird table.
Last winter was bit different story..majority got frozen solid..and they were only good for cooking for sauce..but as I had freezer full of apple sauce anyway... ::)..birds ended up getting the whole shed full.. ::)
But to make the shed a good storage place..I've put strip of metal around the base to stop any mice getting through and there is few vents for little air circulation.
That's pretty much how they show them being stored in 'the Victorian Kitchen Garden', except they had a dedicated shed which kept them at a constant 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
I wrap them individually in newspaper and put them in old supermarket type crates in the garage. Usually store OK until March. Some varieties will store much better than others though.
I put them individually on shelves in my unheated kitchen, and take out ones that are going off every two weeks to a month:
http://transitionnorwich.blogspot.com/2010/01/stored-summer.html
I keep mine uncovered but keep each apple separate to reduce the risk of rotting. I also keep different varieties separate because as the early ones ripen, the ethylene they give off will speed the ripening of the later ones, giving me loads to use within a short space of time. By the same token, I also keep apples well away from pears, bananas and tomatoes - unless I want them to ripen faster, of course! ;D
I believe that Bob Flowerdew keeps his apples in old fridges - pest-free, but I'm not sure how he achieved suitable ventilation.
For a particularly choice variety such as my little Pitmaston Pineapple, I make a bit of space in the fridge and store them in an open bag or tray, without bothering to prevent their skins touching.
Spudbash :)
After reading this I'm going to try keeping some of mine - have an old tree, no idea of variety but sweet and crispy and laden with fruit.
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on August 23, 2011, 20:11:58
The only one I store is Bramley, and my tree isn't very big, so I slice the apples and freeze them.
Me too ! Debs