Building a potato bin and maybe onion bin?

I saw on a facebook group that someone was looking for vintage a potato bin. The post did have a picture of a potato and onion bin with the onions on the bottom. Is this a good way to keep potatoes and onions? I remember something about not storing onions and potatoes together. Has anyone built one without using plywood, waferboard or particle board? If this is a good way of keeping potatoes and onions I would like to find or build a bin that is more like a cabinet that can stand on it's own. Any advice on plans, wood to use, things to do and not do?

Based on my experience, I would say the onions would mold, sprout and rot. That's a recipe for high humidity. Onions need to be dried aggressively after harvest, and then kept in conditions where there is good air circulation.

I have seen old kitchen cabinets with places to store potatoes and onions.  

I store mine in the fridge sometimes together because I did not know better so I ask Google.

This article from Taste of Home concludes what you stated:

But they should actually be stored far away from one another. Why? Your onions produce and emit ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process and can cause nearby potatoes to rot and spoil more quickly.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-store-potatoes-and-onions/

That article also says:

You know that potatoes shouldn’t be kept in the refrigerator.

Everyone knows you can't teach an old dog new tricks so I am going to continue to store mine in the refrigerator.  I am not sure whether I will separate them though ...

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:Based on my experience, I would say the onions would mold, sprout and rot. That's a recipe for high humidity. Onions need to be dried aggressively after harvest, and then kept in conditions where there is good air circulation.

What if one cold control the humidity in the bin? Or build a bin with good air circulation.

T Blankinship wrote:

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:Based on my experience, I would say the onions would mold, sprout and rot. That's a recipe for high humidity. Onions need to be dried aggressively after harvest, and then kept in conditions where there is good air circulation.

What if one cold control the humidity in the bin? Or build a bin with good air circulation.

I think it could be done, if the onions were on wire racks with air space between each layer. The racks could even be removable (or movable, so you can give them a shake to change where the onions touch each other).

I found my best storage solution was one of those cheap mesh camping hammocks strung up in my cold room. Perfect air circulation and it was easy to give them a quick mix to avoid wet spots that would encourage rot/mold.

Here's one I built a few years ago. Surprisingly simple project, really:
https://www.instructables.com/Tater-onion-dispenser-system/

(Onions didn't get along too well being that close, so I wound up using that section for red potatoes)

I think Pearl has reported using derelict dishwashers for string these crops.
I stopped buying onions in bulk because I lost too many to rot.
If I were to build storage for onions it would probably have a solar powered fan,
Obviously this wouldn't be low tech, but it could save a lot of labor .

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:
What if one cold control the humidity in the bin? Or build a bin with good air circulation.
I think it could be done, if the onions were on wire racks with air space between each layer. The racks could even be removable (or movable, so you can give them a shake to change where the onions touch each other).
I found my best storage solution was one of those cheap mesh camping hammocks strung up in my cold room. Perfect air circulation and it was easy to give them a quick mix to avoid wet spots that would encourage rot/mold.

I was thinking about using reusable silica gel desiccant in a canister in the bin to control humidity. Also using humidity meter with temperature display to keep an eye on the bin. Could also build the bin with air circulation in mind. My question now is what type of wood or other natural materials would work for this bin? I would think a wood that could impart a smell or flavor would be bad.  Any ideas?

How many pounds of onions are you storing? I go through a LOT in normal cooking and still have them go bad on the counter.

Sarah Soleil wrote:How many pounds of onions are you storing? I go through a LOT in normal cooking and still have them go bad on the counter.

About five to ten lbs. of onions and potatoes each.