Forget the
barrels!
It took me a bit of trial and error before I learned the art of successfully storing apples. This is how I now store mine.
Gather your apples. Take a couple of good pieces of clean towelling material and begin to grade your apples.
When you come across a perfect apple without a bruise, cut or any other blemish give it a rub with the towel to make sure it is clean and completely dry.
Wrap the apple up in a suitably sized piece of paper and place it in a large carton. You can use tissue paper, white newsprint (which can be bought quite cheaply in large rolls), towelling paper or whatever else you have available which seems appropriate.
It took me a bit of trial and error before I learned the art of successfully storing apples. This is how I now store mine.
Gather your apples. Take a couple of good pieces of clean towelling material and begin to grade your apples.
When you come across a perfect apple without a bruise, cut or any other blemish give it a rub with the towel to make sure it is clean and completely dry.
Wrap the apple up in a suitably sized piece of paper and place it in a large carton. You can use tissue paper, white newsprint (which can be bought quite cheaply in large rolls), towelling paper or whatever else you have available which seems appropriate.
Continue this process
until you have 3 - 4 layers of apples loosely packed in a large
box or carton. Store the cartons or boxes in a cool, dry place which is
insect and rodent free.
You will need to check
the apples once a week and immediately remove any apple which shows signs of
moisture or rot. This is important! It really doesn't take long for a little rot
or moisture to ruin the whole box.
This is another reason
why it is best to pack apples in a loose, separated manner and only 3 or 4
layers deep - it is much easier to check them this way. Our apples will
last six months or more while stored - and diligently checked - in this manner.
Sort any blemished apples such as those with bruises, marks, insect or bird damage, cuts and so on into a separate box or bucket for processing. These apples are great to dehydrate, can or bottle, freeze or use in other ways.
Even if you don't have your own trees or access to free apples from family, friends or neighbours, during the height of the apple season they can be bought at very good prices from orchards, supermarkets and other sellers. In the past few weeks I've seen lovely apples available for sale very cheaply at the height of the apple season. Buy them and store them while they're cheap!
Sort any blemished apples such as those with bruises, marks, insect or bird damage, cuts and so on into a separate box or bucket for processing. These apples are great to dehydrate, can or bottle, freeze or use in other ways.
Even if you don't have your own trees or access to free apples from family, friends or neighbours, during the height of the apple season they can be bought at very good prices from orchards, supermarkets and other sellers. In the past few weeks I've seen lovely apples available for sale very cheaply at the height of the apple season. Buy them and store them while they're cheap!
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