Are you wondering how to store your apples? Discover the best ways to store your apples in the fridge and root cellar and enjoy them all throughout the winter.
Fresh apples are one of the best treats of autumn! It’s refreshing, juicy and full of flavor. But did you know that the harvest can be expanded well into the winter with proper storage methods? Whether you’re shoving some apples into the fridge or stuffing a bottle in a cold basement, storing the apples correctly can keep them fresh for weeks or even months.
In this guide you will learn how to select apples for storage, how to keep them at the top, and how to store them in both the fridge and the root cellar.
Choose the right apple for storage
Not all apples are good keepers. Some varieties are intended for immediate diet, while others are naturally suitable for long-term storage. If you are aiming for short-term storage in your fridge, most apple varieties will last for several weeks. However, if you want to keep your apples in a root cellar or cool basement for several months, it’s important to choose the right type.
Short-term apple
Early seasonal apples such as gala and Gravenstein are harvested in late August and September, and are fresh. They can still be stored in the fridge, but they tend to soften quickly and don’t last as long as later season varieties.
Best storage apple
Late apple varieties harvested from October to November have solid meat and thick skin, making them perfect for storage. Some of the best long keeping apples include Fuji, Breburn, Rome, Jonathan, Jonagold, Macintosh, Winezap, Northern Spy, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp and more. Under appropriate conditions, many of these last until winter.
There are so many local apple varieties, so if you are buying apples from a local farm stand or an orchard, ask the grower which variety is best for storage.
Harvest and Processing Tips
How you treat apples makes a big difference in how long they are stored. Apples are live fruits and continue to breathe after picking. Bruises, wounds, or excess moisture will promote spoilage. Carefully harvest and pay a little attention to the apples before storing them, so they can remain crisp and delicious for weeks or even months.
Choose peak maturity: Mature but not fully ripe apples last longer when stored. Harvest once the skin tone is fully developed and the apples gently twist and come out of the tree. Avoid bruises: Even small dents and drops shorten shelf life. Handle the apples quietly and avoid throwing them in a bucket or basket. Please sort carefully. Anything that can be damaged, cracked or damaged by insects should be used immediately for fresh diets, applesauce, jelly or dehydration. Keep them dry: moisture promotes rot and mold growth. Before storing apples, make sure the apples are dry.
How to store apples in the fridge
If you’re not getting too much, a crisp drawer in the fridge is the easiest way to keep your apples fresh. Cool temperatures will age, but proper humidity will prevent moisture from depleting.
Step 1: Prepare a crisp drawer
For best results, only the apples offer a crisp drawer. This is the coldest part of the fridge and is perfect for storing apples. Pull out the drawer and give it a good wash with hot soapy water. Dry the apples while you organize them.
Step 2: Rearrange the apples
Sort the apples and select only sturdy, intact apples for fridge storage. Bruises or damaged fruits should be eaten immediately or stored in a different way. Do not wash apples before storing as excess moisture can promote mold growth. Instead, rinse them just before eating.
Step 3: Add the apple to a crisp drawer
Knit the drawer with a paper towel to help absorb moisture and slide it into the fridge in place. Carefully place the apple in a single layer in a drawer. Add a layer of paper towel and place another layer of apple on top. Repeat until the drawer is full.
Set the drawer to a low humidity setting to provide good air circulation and leave the vent open to allow ethylene gas to escape. Under these conditions, many apple varieties can remain fresh for several weeks, and later season keepers can last for several months.
Step 4: Check the apples frequently
You know what they say about one bad apple. It doesn’t affect others as it looks at apples at least once a week and removes anything that softens or shows signs of rot.
Fridge shelf life
Most apples last in the fridge for 4-6 weeks. Late season varieties such as Fuji, Northern Spy, and Granny Smith can remain fresh for up to two months or longer under appropriate conditions.
How to store apples in a root cellar
If you have a cool, unheated basement, garage, or a true root cellar, you can store a large amount of apples and enjoy them for months. The goal is to mimic the natural state that apples prefer after harvest: cool, dark, moisture.
Skip the washing until just before eating to avoid excess moisture that promotes mold. Also, be aware of what you keep nearby. The apple releases ethylene gas. This can cause potatoes to sprout and ruin the onion more quickly, so it’s best to keep them apart.
Step 1: Find the ideal storage area
Choose a location that is consistently cool and humid. The apples maintain their vest at 30-40°F (just above freezing) at about 90% humidity. Avoid airtight spaces as good air circulation helps prevent mold.
Step 2: Select a container
Wooden wooden frames, shelves, or ventilated boxes are ideal to allow airflow. Cardboard boxes also work when newspapers are lined up. Avoid sealed plastic baths as they trap moisture and promote mold growth.
Step 3: Wrap the apple and knit it
For maximum storage, wrap apples individually in newspapers or brown kraft paper and place them in boxes or wooden frames. This means that when one apple ripens faster than the other, it does not touch, reduce bruising, or slows down the diffusion of ethylene gas.
If not wrapped, store the apples in a single layer wherever possible, and separate the layers in shredded newspaper or cardboard. To prevent bruising, avoid stacking fruits deep.
Separate small apples from larger apples. Smaller fruits tend to ripen and ruin faster, so use them first.
Step 4: Periodic inspection
Check the apples stored every few weeks. Remove any soft, wrinkled or signs of rot. Even one rotten apple can quickly unfold the wooden frame.
Storage lifespan in the root cellar
Late storage varieties such as Fuji, Jonagold, Northern Spy, and Rome can last 3-6 months in the root cellar if stored under appropriate conditions.
Apples aren’t the only crops that can be stored like this. Many other vegetables, from carrots and beets to cabbage and winter squash, thrive in cool basements. Find out more in my guide: 14 crops for winter food storage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Storage
How long does apple last in the fridge? Most apples will be kept in the fridge for 4-6 weeks. Late storage varieties such as Fuji and Northern Spy can last up to two months or more when stored in a crisper drawer.
Which apples keep for the longest? Solid seasonal apples like Fuji, Braeburn, Jonagold, Northern Spy, and Winesap are great keepers. Early seasonal apples like Gala and Gravenstein are best enjoyed fresh.
Can I store apples with potatoes? It is best to separate apples and potatoes from each other. Apples can release ethylene gas and cause potatoes to sprout faster.
How do you prevent apples from being stored? For Apple Storage, select only solid, intact apples. Handle gently to prevent bruises and store in a cool environment. Check it regularly to remove any damaged, soft or rotten apples so they don’t ruin the entire bundle.
Do apples last longer if wrapped in newspapers? yes. Wrap the apples individually in newspapers or kraft paper. Paper will relieve the fruit, prevent the apple from touching, and slow the spread of ethylene gas or rot if one apple gets worse.
How can I store apples? Apples can be stored in other fruits such as pears that can withstand humidity and cool temperatures. However, both release ethylene gas, so if you plan to keep it for a few weeks or longer, it is best to store it individually.
What should I store from the apple? Keep apples away from ethylene-sensitive vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cabbage and lush greenery. Store apples in separate bins or storage areas as they can cause potatoes and onions to sprout or rot more quickly.
Can I store apples outside? If you stay consistently between 30-40°F outdoor temperatures, you can store apples in an insulated bottle or in a cool, porch, garage or shed. Make sure the freeze, animals, and temperature is protected from heavy shaking.
Enjoy a crisp apple throughout the winter
With the right variety and storage methods, you can enjoy crisp, flavorful apples well beyond the harvest season. Whether you put some in the fridge or fill the root cellar bin or not, each apple you chew in the winter is a reminder of an autumn apple picking adventure.
If you want to stock up on more produce to store in a cool basement, garage or route cellar, check out my guide to 14 crops for winter food storage.
Looking for more ways to make the most of your apple harvest? Check out my complete guide on how to store apples for canning, dehydration and more.
