Root cellar???

goer · 06-18-2012, 07:05 PM

Fridge destroys my produce almost overnight. Anyone know how to make a low tech goood root cellar? The be upfront I live in North Carolina a hot humid climate.

Hoosier Girl · 06-18-2012, 08:45 PM

I don't think root cellars have historically been designed to be used in the summer, particularly for things other than roots (and apples). I am lucky enough to have a wonderfully functional root cellar in (under) my 1890 farmhouse, and it is fairly warm in the summer. (alas, if I only had a springhouse too!) I suppose you could do a hillbilly root cellar by burying an old fridge several feet under the ground, but then it kind of defeats the easy access to delicate produce. I have opted for a second fridge in the basement, kept at a somewhat higher temperature. It is currently stuffed full some of the 100 heads of lettuce that I just couldn't bear to thin, plus a bunch of leeks left over from the winter. Everyone seems very happy. Another idea would be to keep it in a cooler with ice frozen in gallon milk jugs. These last for days while we are camping.

goer · 06-24-2012, 08:24 PM

Thanks HG. Guess I'll try to find an old fridge or eat the crops faster. I do appreciate the input.

nipias · 06-24-2012, 10:04 PM

This site has "Building a Root Cellar".
http://www.motherearthnews.com/moder...ot-cellar.aspx

Scomber · 03-02-2013, 04:05 PM

There's a way. There's a set-up that some small market growers use that combines an insulated closet, a window air conditioner, and some additional electronics and controls that override the AC settings and bring the room down to 45° or so. It's called CoolBot. Insulate the closet or small room well and it shouldn't use much more power than a fridge.

06-18-2012, 07:05 PM	#1
goer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 16	Root cellar??? Fridge destroys my produce almost overnight. Anyone know how to make a low tech goood root cellar? The be upfront I live in North Carolina a hot humid climate.

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06-18-2012, 08:45 PM	#2
Hoosier Girl Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Indiana, zone 5B Posts: 77	I don't think root cellars have historically been designed to be used in the summer, particularly for things other than roots (and apples). I am lucky enough to have a wonderfully functional root cellar in (under) my 1890 farmhouse, and it is fairly warm in the summer. (alas, if I only had a springhouse too!) I suppose you could do a hillbilly root cellar by burying an old fridge several feet under the ground, but then it kind of defeats the easy access to delicate produce. I have opted for a second fridge in the basement, kept at a somewhat higher temperature. It is currently stuffed full some of the 100 heads of lettuce that I just couldn't bear to thin, plus a bunch of leeks left over from the winter. Everyone seems very happy. Another idea would be to keep it in a cooler with ice frozen in gallon milk jugs. These last for days while we are camping.

06-24-2012, 08:24 PM	#3
goer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 16	Thanks HG. Guess I'll try to find an old fridge or eat the crops faster. I do appreciate the input.

06-24-2012, 10:04 PM	#4
nipias Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Thailand Posts: 55	This site has "Building a Root Cellar". http://www.motherearthnews.com/moder...ot-cellar.aspx

03-02-2013, 04:05 PM	#5
Scomber Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Coastal Maine Posts: 6	There's a way. There's a set-up that some small market growers use that combines an insulated closet, a window air conditioner, and some additional electronics and controls that override the AC settings and bring the room down to 45° or so. It's called CoolBot. Insulate the closet or small room well and it shouldn't use much more power than a fridge.