Why Steel Buildings Are Best For Potato Storage

What’s the Solution for Potato Storage Challenges?
Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings! 

Potatoes are a staple in not only the American diet, but in the diets of people around the world. According to the Idaho Potato Commission, the average American consumes around 117 pounds of potatoes yearly! Potatoes are not only satisfying for more people, they are adaptable, packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and they are relatively easy to prepare- making them a favorite vegetable.

Though the high demand of potatoes has made them a leading agricultural commodity in our country, potato farmers face multiple challenges to be profitable. Unwanted pests and unpredictable weather patterns and insufficient storage conditions can produce significant damage to a potato crop. While we cannot offer solutions as far as pest control and weather, Pacific Building Solutions does have a solution that will meet the stringent conditions required for proper potato storage: Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings. 

Our engineers have designed various bulk storage buildings that are ideal for multiple applications, including Potato Storage. Since PBS will participate in the Washington Oregon Potato Virtual Conference later this month (Visit our virtual booth on January 26-28 from 9 am to 5 pm) we thought this would be an opportune time to explain why steel bulk storage buildings are superior for agricultural businesses.

As a general rule, potatoes must be stored in a cool (between 43–50 °F), dark place with plenty of air circulation to prevent the accumulation of moisture. However, if it gets too cold in your potato storage building as it often does in the Pacific Northwest, the water inside potatoes expands giving them a mushy texture. If they are stored in a building without proper air circulation, the moisture released from the potatoes will collect inside the container and lead to spoilage. If your potato storage unit has too much light, it may cause potato skins to produce chlorophyll and turn an undesirable green color. 

In essence, raw potatoes can be compared to the porridge in the children’s tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. If the storage building is too hot, too cold, too light or does not have enough ventilation, the crop likely to spoil. Luckily there is a solution. A pre-manufactured bulk storage steel building designed by the engineers at Pacific Building Systems offers agricultural businesses a durable, spacious,  bulk storage unit  that can be customized to fit the specific requirements so your potato crop does not spoil prematurely. 

Manufactured with heavy-duty steel construction, a PBS metal building’s strength and versatility allow for any type of storage. We account for proper ventilation, sizing, and space requirements during design and will ship a custom steel building kit ready for easy installation directly to you. We do this by offering the following: 

• ClearSpan frames to maximize space usage.
• Custom Insulation for your specific needs. 
• Steel Frames that support ventilation systems. 
• Customizable Door and Window placement.
• Durable and Easy to Erect Structures.  

The engineers at Pacific Building Systems (PBS) have designed various agricultural & storage buildings that are ideal for farmers including: Steel barns, Fruit processing buildings, Bulk storage, Machinery and heavy equipment, and Nurseries. Our pre-engineered steel building systems can be used alone or in combination with more traditional construction methods to meet your precise agricultural needs. 

About Pacific Building Systems

Located in Woodburn, Oregon, Pacific Building Systems has been manufacturing steel structures for clients in the Northwest, Alaska, and Hawaii with the finest quality pre-engineered building systems since1962. As a family-owned and privately operated metal building manufacturer, we design, detail, draft, engineer and produce superior metal building systems and metal building components, while providing uncompromising customer service. We have the experience, knowledge, and dedication to take on any project and would be pleased to work with you. Call us today and we’ll be glad to discuss your next project.