What Is an Onion Net?
Onion nets are net bags with mouth straps, used for sorting, storing, and transporting harvested vegetables and fruits.
In addition to onion nets, they are also called by many other names, such as vegetable nets, net bags, shipping nets, and harvest nets. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, and are often indicated by their load-bearing weight, such as 10 kg.
Uses of Onion Nets
Onion nets are used to store onions and other vegetables. It is used to store and transport harvested vegetables and fruits in small portions.
The most common type of onion nets is orange, which makes the onions appear more vibrant. Other types of nets include nets in green and white.
Types of Onion Nets
Onion nets come in a wide variety of sizes. They are often labeled by the weight they can handle, and are sold in a wide range of sizes, from those for several kilograms to those for dozens of kilograms.
In addition to size, there are nets with mouth straps and nets with zippers. These types of nets are very convenient for frequent opening and closing.
How to Select Onion Nets
The key to choosing onion nets is to select the right size for the size and weight of the crop you want to put inside. Although it may cost a little more, choosing a type with a mouth strap or zipper will reduce the stress of opening and closing the net.
It is important to check in advance whether the features of the onion nets you are purchasing are suitable for your intended use.
Features of Onion Nets
Pros
1. Good Ventilation
One of the greatest advantages of onion nets is their good ventilation. In general, the best way to store onions is to hang them in a well-ventilated place and out of direct sunlight. Drying onions thoroughly after harvesting will also help prevent pest damage.
Onions with even a little moisture remaining on the surface or damaged due to moisture may attract pests.
2. Harvest Can Be Divided Into Small Portions
Onions immediately after harvest have a high moisture content and need to be dried in an airy, shady area. If onions are placed in boxes or bags with high moisture content, moisture will accumulate and cause damage to the onions.
Storing them in onion nets will allow them to be stored while keeping them dry. This allows for long-term storage and reduces food loss.
3. Onions Can Be Preserved in a Tasty Way
Onion nets can be used to preserve onions for better flavor. This is because the drying process concentrates the flavor of the onions.
Increased humidity not only causes sprouting but also leads to a loss of nutrition and flavor. Onion nets allow even high-moisture varieties to keep their flavor for a relatively long time.
Cons
1. Does Not Protect the Harvest
One disadvantage of onion nets is that they do not protect the onion itself. Onion nets cannot hold their shape, so if you put in too many, the friction between the onions will damage the onions.
Also, when storing by hanging, too much can cause the onions to fall. It is important to use onion nets in just the right amount.
2. Lack of Protection From Pests
Another disadvantage of onion nets is that they do not protect against pests. This is because onion nets are not airtight, attracting pests with their smell, and pests can easily enter through the gaps in the net.
To prevent pest damage, it is important to dry onions as soon as possible after harvest to prevent odor.
Other Information on Onion Nets
How to Use Onion Nets
When storing onions at home, it is recommended to store them in a net so that the onions are arranged in a bead-like pattern. Specifically, for each onion net, tie a knot over the onion in the net.
Repeat the process of placing the next onion on top of the knot to create the appearance of a string of beads. This method prevents onions from overlapping each other, which is very convenient when using one onion at a time, in addition to preventing moisture from accumulating.