Root Cellar Construction

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NoSmoke
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Post by NoSmoke » Sat. Dec. 02, 2017 11:48 am

We have found that growing food in a garden is not difficult, but that it is a two step process; growing and then PRESERVING the food that we do grow. In other words, a lot of times the perfectly good food we do grow, goes to waste during storage. Due to our soil type, terrain and farm history, we can really grow some great root crops, but thought a root cellar would be a good way to preserve them.

I have had this stupid 18 wheeler reefer trailer on my land for awhile now, and was going to scrap iron the thing as it is unsightly from the house, but then thought, 'What if we took and excavator, dug a hole in our side hill (I live on a 6% grade) and then slipped the trailer into the hole. If we then covered the top of it with logs, corduroy fashion so it would hold the weight, dozed the excavated soil over the top of it. That would give us a cheap, 8 x 48 foot root cellar with nice wide locking door that was cold, but not frozen.'

Would that work?

 
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CoalJockey
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Post by CoalJockey » Sat. Dec. 02, 2017 12:00 pm

See if anyone else chimes in but it's my understanding that for a root cellar you want to have a dirt floor. A good friend of mine wanted to build one and several people told him it is a mistake to make the floor concrete.

I don't know if the under structure of the trailer and assumed wooden floor would be alright or not?

 
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Sunny Boy
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Post by Sunny Boy » Sat. Dec. 02, 2017 12:17 pm

CoalJockey wrote:
Sat. Dec. 02, 2017 12:00 pm
See if anyone else chimes in but it's my understanding that for a root cellar you want to have a dirt floor. A good friend of mine wanted to build one and several people told him it is a mistake to make the floor concrete.

I don't know if the under structure of the trailer and assumed wooden floor would be alright or not?
Here's some info that should help.

https://www.almanac.com/content/how-build-root-cellar

Paul


 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Sat. Dec. 02, 2017 12:25 pm

My wife's uncle buried a school bus and put a BILCO door at the entrance. Woked excptionaly well I might add. :clap:

 
CapeCoaler
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Post by CapeCoaler » Sat. Dec. 02, 2017 11:58 pm

does the slope face south?...
if so a small insulated shed to cover the door end...
Nice air lock keep the snow off the door opening...

 
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Post by NoSmoke » Sun. Dec. 03, 2017 7:10 am

Sadly no, the slope faces North, all my hills do which is why I have a hard time growing Alfalfa and why I get slammed with wind. Just as soon as the kids are older, Katie and I already decided we are going to build an underground house up in the woods. I am sick of this WIND! We also want a smaller house that is easier to keep clean and heat.


 
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Sunny Boy
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Post by Sunny Boy » Sun. Dec. 03, 2017 8:13 am

In that case, maybe you can incorporate a root cellar into the basement design, so that you don't have to shovel snow everytime you want home fries for breakfast. ;)

Paul

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Dec. 03, 2017 10:59 am

My grandparents home had a root cellar under the porch, it had block walls, a concrete ceiling, and a dirt floor - and was accessed through a doorway in the basement wall. It was a very nice setup.

 
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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Sun. Dec. 03, 2017 11:26 am

As a young boy,my parents had a farm that had a summer house with an arch cellar.... UNDER the cellar..
The basement floor was dirt with steep,stone steps leading downward to the ARCH cellar that was all stone except for the dirt floor down their too.
Hooks in the ceiling of that arch with wire down to a big "table" so some things could be kept up off the floor.

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