Shipping containers provide an inexpensive and robust solution for building root cellars or storm shelters. Easy to customize to meet individual needs, these insulated and reinforced shipping containers make an economical way of creating such storage solutions in your home. Just remember how deep to bury it so air can circulate adequately inside, as well as how you will transport fresh foods in and out.
Root cellars are underground storage rooms designed to preserve vegetables and fruit for extended periods without spoiling. Root cellars work especially well in cold climates because the cool temperatures help curb ethylene gas release, which causes foods to overripen and decompose. Furthermore, low temperatures inhibit microorganism growth which prevents mold or fungal contamination on food items stored therein. A well-designed root cellar should maintain temperatures between 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit with 85-90% humidity levels for optimal conditions.
Shipping containers make an excellent root cellar because of their robust design, designed to withstand extreme conditions. A shipping container features a strong frame capable of withstanding tornado-force winds while its airtight seal ensures food remains preserved during any disaster situation. Finally, using shipping containers may prove more cost-effective than traditional basement or barn options in terms of creating one for storage purposes.
At the forefront of any plan for a root cellar should be its location and climate. A shipping container root cellar works better in cold climates; to maximize efficiency you should insulate and reinforce it with concrete to provide optimal insulation levels. You must also monitor weather forecasts regularly and plan ventilation to prevent moisture build-up inside.
As part of your root cellar planning, keep in mind that it requires regular upkeep. You must check on its contents regularly, using up what has gone bad while adding new items regularly – otherwise your food could spoil and waste. In addition, periodically clean out your cellar especially if it contains vegetables such as mushrooms and turnips.
To prepare a shipping container for root cellaring, it must first be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized – this includes eliminating any signs of rust and corrosion both externally and internally – before installing access panels with doors and windows to gain access to stored food products.
Your root cellar walls must be constructed from material that can withstand cold temperatures and moisture, such as bricks or concrete – on a budget-cinder blocks are an affordable alternative – that will withstand both temperature extremes as well as shifting over time. Footers provide this support.