I think the keeping qualities depends on the apple. My Dad grows Harelsons or Regents (can't remember which) and he stuffs them in large zip-lock bags, seals them tight and then puts them in a very cold, but not freezing place. Unless there is a bad apple in the batch, they store perfectly this way until spring. I know it sounds odd, but it works for him.

Kevin

Yep. Much of it does depend on the apple. When you go to an orchard, ask specifically for a "keeping" apple. Their flesh is usually very firm. Or Google which apples are best for keeping. I grow a variety of apples, and last year was a banner year, but they were all early and "soft" apples. I canned what I could and had zillions of bushels we left for the deer to eat and then still had to buy a bushel of "keepers" for winter use fresh.

Inspect your stored apples occasionally and look for bruises or soft spots and get the ones not holding used up so that the ones in storage don't go bad. There is truth in the old saw about one bad apple spoiling the bunch.

Finnbiker, I'm thinking of trying the same thing this winter; our local farmer's market usually has a good variety of apples. My plan is to store them in a Coleman cooler (to help protect them from freezing) out in the garden shed. I don't know if this will be too cold though.

Once upon a time I remember someone telling me that the best way to store apples is with them being covered with a (100%) wool blanket. I never have tried it but the guy swore by it.

the best way to store apples is very close to freezing with the highest possible humidity - apples breathe, taking in oxygen, which causes oxidation, and giving off ethylene gas, which causes softening - secondarily, the temp should be kept as stable as possible, not warmer in the day and cooler at night - ideally you should use a 2nd fridge, not very energy friendly tho, so a root cellar is next best, a real one dug in the ground where the temp is stable, with a vent to the outside high up so cold air enters and warm air exits

and as said above, certain apples store better - "winter" apples are the keepers, ones that ripen as late as possible, like Granny Smith or Fuji - keepers have denser flesh and appear to be less juicy, not the best types for fresh eating, more grown for cooking - don't bother trying to store any apple that's normally ripe and available before late October/ early Nov unless you like soft mealy apples

Bill [25 years in the apple biz] :)

That's just what my Dad does - 2nd fridge packed full. It's worth it IMO.

Kevin

to store apples: 1) pick before max ripe; 2)wash apples and quickly cool & dry in a refrigerator in open baskets for about 2 days; 3) cover the baskets with garbage bags and tuck under bottom of baskets - allowing a few holes; 4) keep chilled at about 32 deg in the covered baskets; 5) do not allow to freeze (if refrigerated outside); do not run a refrigerator when temp is below 45 degrees (if outside) - it kills the compressor! good luck

As I recall apples were historically stored under water in the winter.

Make apple chips in the dehydrator or oven.

FOR THE DEER ONLY I FILL 2 45 GALLON DRUMS WITH APPLES THEN I FILL THE DRUMS WITH WATER.....I BUILT A TEN INCH HIGH INSULATED BOX WITH HOLES ABOUT 16 INCHES WIDE NOT BIG ENOUGH TO HAVE THE DRUMS GO THROUGH BUT BIG ENOUGH TO HAVE HEAT COME UP FROM THE BOX AS I HAVE 2 40 WATT LIGHT BULBS UNDER THE DRUMS.IN THE BOX....I WRAP THE DRUMS IN FIBERGLASS PINK AND THEY NEVER FREEZE EVEN IN 30 BELOW WEATHER......4 YEARS THIS HAS WORKED PERFECT ONE YEAR NOT SO MUCH THE LIGHT WENT OUT THE WATER FROZE AND THE APPLES ROTTED...THATS WHY I USE 2 LIGHTS NOW..... THEY LOSE COLOUR DURING THE WINTER BUT REMAIN FIRM.....THE DEER LOVE THEM IN JAN FEB MAR.....

WORKS FOR ME