The point is to stop the tuber freezing. Dry compost will insulate it,but may dry it out too much. I pack mine in old tomato compost, and keep it almost dry, so the tuber doesn't shrivel, but not so wet it will rot. If you can pack enough insulation around it, it could be OK. The ideal place is a cellar at about 5C minimum.
I think the idea of taking it out of the pot and cleaning it off is partly to make sure it isn't too wet (a plastic pot will retain any moisture that's there if the plant isn't growing and the temperature is cool), and partly so that you can check for and remove any damaged/rotting sections of tuber that could rot away over the winter. I must admit I don't fuss with mine - mostly they stay in the ground with a heap of shredded prunings over the top (but I have sandy well-drained soil so even though I'm further north and east than you, they do OK).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I lift mine, and then pack them in a pot with old compost around them.This is more to protect the tuber and give insulation. If they are already in compost, I would just let them dry out somewhat so they don't rot.
I dig mine up and leave the soil which sticks to the tubers. I don't rinse it off, or shake them dry . I then just sit them next to each other in a bed in the polytunnel and chuck some compost over any big gaps where tubers are showing. I just let them dry out , or not, and leave them to their own devices until they start to grow in Spring. I don't pot them on whilst dormant to "start the off" . It's first come first served. When I see signs of life, I pot them on, not before.
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S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I don't pot them on whilst dormant to "start the off" . It's first come first served.
When I see signs of life, I pot them on, not before.