If you have abundant sunshine in the fall, a closed sunroom or conservatory with open tubs of water to humidify the air will work.

Abundant sunshine we have, but I don't have a sunroom or similar setup, unfortunately, and I don't know about my garden neighbors... I'm looking for easy, universal instructions to share with others...

Curing sweet potatoes is my favorite thing:
In whatever bathroom you use in the middle of the night, place a space heater and a humidifier, and the newly harvested sweet potatoes, and shut the door. This happens in the fall when it's chilly in the house, so you get to walk into this wonderful warm, humid bathroom in the middle of the night for several nights, until the potatoes are cured. You'll wish potatoes took longer to cure!

I've heard many people suggest dampening a piece of burlap or some old towels to drape over crates containing the sweet potatoes. I haven't tried it, but that's what I'm planning to do this fall. I'm assuming you have to periodically rewet them...

I use the 85 degrees in a small room thing. When I added moisture, I had some sprouting trouble after a few days.

Thank you all for your replies, and suggestions on curing sweet potatoes.

I thought I would share what I typed up and handed out to the people I gave slips to. I've collected tips from various sources (y'all included), and am not taking ANY credit for this (except for copying and pasting into a document). Just sharing the wealth. :)

"Curing Sweet Potatoes
Although large amounts of soil clinging to roots during storage is not desirable, sweet potatoes are easily damaged during the washing process when freshly dug. Allow roots to dry and cure before removing excess soil.

Cure** sweet potatoes by holding them for about 10 days at 80-85°F and high relative humidity (85-90 percent). In the absence of better facilities, they can be cured near a furnace to provide warmth. If the temperature near your furnace is between 65-75°F, the curing period should last 2-3 weeks. To maintain the required high humidity (85-90 percent relative humidity), stack storage crates or boxes and cover them with paper or heavy cloth. Packing in perforated plastic bags will also keep humidity high, yet the perforations will allow excess moisture to escape.

Once the sweet potatoes are cured, move them to a dark location where a temperature of about 55-60°F can be maintained during storage. Sweet potatoes are subject to chilling injury, so keep them out of the refrigerator. Good results can be obtained by wrapping cured sweet potatoes in newspaper and storing them in a cool closet.
Exposure to low storage temperatures for several days will cause the sweet potatoes to develop a hard center and reduce their eating quality.
When the roots are stored at high temperatures for a long time, they begin to sprout, shrivel and become dry, stringy and pithy.
**Curing ideas
• If humidity can’t be achieved, place on a closet shelf with a space heater below and left the door open a crack and monitored the temperature. Kept it about 85 degrees for 10 days or so.
• Cure by, "letting them bask in the sun for a day, and then removing them to a shady area that remains above 80 degrees for 7-10 days." from Vegetable Gardener's Bible by Edward C. Smith
• Cure the sweet potato for 10 days in a room that remains around 80 degrees, or for 20 days in a room that remains around 70 degrees. If you live in an area with cool fall temperatures requiring use of the furnace, place the sweet potatoes near the furnace for the curing days. In the south where fall temperatures are still in the 70's and 80's during the day, a sunny porch during the daytime can be used to cure the sweet potatoes, but you will have to bring them indoors when the night time temperatures drop or the sweet potato won't cure properly and will rot before winter ends.
• Place a space heater and a humidifier (not necessary, and if not monitored, the humidity may encourage sprouting), and the newly harvested sweet potatoes, and shut the door as much as possible.
• Some people suggest dampening a piece of burlap or some old towels to drape over crates containing the sweet potatoes, and place in a warm location for 10 days. Rewet cloth occasionally, and rotate sweet potatoes, being careful not to damage the skin of potato."

This post was edited by commgardener11 on Mon, Jul 15, 13 at 21:40

I like the "let them bask in the sun" idea. Worked for me years ago. Man they tasted good. They do not need high humidity. Now I put them in the cab of my pickup and adjust the windows so it stays very warm in there. and that works. Take them inside at night.