How to Build a Root Cellar Door

Root cellars use the steady cool temperature and humidity found just a few feet beneath the earth to store vegetables without refrigeration. Root cellars allow vegetables to stay fresh even through wintertime and allow cold-weather crops such as squash or tomatoes to flourish in an otherwise relatively warm environment. Furthermore, fresh vegetables preserved through root cellar storage offer superior flavor and nutrition than canned foods; additionally their underground atmosphere naturally insulates against cost over time.

Wood, concrete or cinder block walls should be well insulated against cold temperatures while not completely sealed off from moisture; otherwise it could get inside and damage food. Concrete makes an economical and hardwearing material choice; bricks may also work. What matters most is having thick walls to withstand both low temperatures and moisture conditions without shifting over time.

Based on the food you’re storing, your root cellar design may need to change. Carrots and other root vegetables need to be stored near the bottom where temperatures are coldest; while squash or greens benefit more when stored at a higher temperature closer to the surface.

As part of your cellar construction plan, it is wise to include an exit or vent leading outside so you can monitor conditions inside. A ventilation system should also be implemented so cool air from outside can enter while stale air exits – otherwise your produce could spoil or mold quickly.

The ideal door should be made of solid materials that can easily be opened and closed, without losing too much heat or air from your cellar. Furthermore, reinforced or sealed doors may help ensure rainwater does not get in, while installing vents to release any ethylene gas released by fruit storage can prevent unwanted accumulation in your space.

An efficient root cellar requires a sturdy cellar door. While some people opt to build one in their basements, which may be convenient and effective; digging down into the earth and building an integral cellar as part of your homestead often proves more effective and timesaving.

Closets and crawl spaces can serve as root cellars, though their storage capacity is often limited. Prior to rural electrification it was common for farms to utilize springhouses with springhouse roots as root cellars (access was via trapdoor in basement). Furthermore, cellars can also be constructed atop hills or structures such as sheds or houses for ease of access during thaws and rainstorms while simultaneously being constructed so it does not flood when exposed to high rainfall levels.


Posted

in

by

Tags: