I'm fortunate enough to have a root cellar underneath my 100 year old little cottage house, but I currently don't use it nor the room above it because the floor bearers are damaged and unstable. Your video has given me some great tips and advice to keep in mind for when I eventually get around to replacing the floor and getting the cellar to a state of usable. Especially regarding the ventilation vs what is being stored, as my cellar floor is currently just dirt.
Great job! I have always wanted a root cellar, but instead, I have an insulated room in my pole barn. Here in mid-Missouri, USA - the fall is too warm to store fruit and roots. The outdoor temps will range from 60 degrees F to 85 degrees F. So I installed a window air-conditioner and can now drop the room temp to 55 degrees F even on the hot days. Last year, I only needed the A/C for about a month until the outdoor temp cooled. If I wanted to speed $400 (which I don't) I could buy a "Cool- Bot" and the A/C could cool the room down to the 30's F.
I love the concept of underground storage, but I just feel that my climate just doesn't warrant it. In very cold climates, or hot dry climates they would make great low tech solutions. I'm in a similar climate to you, SI NZ, perhaps a degree or two cooler on average. We can store produce like potatoes in just a cool dark room, until October, which is when new potatoes come on line. I find diversity and a spread of ripening times within species can really extend cropping, without the need for lots of preservation. I remember my father digging crops like carrot and parsnip and storing them in straw under a layer of soil, but to be honest, it just doesn't get cold enough here to go to that effort. They store well just left in the ground.
Ever thought about having external thermostat and internal thermostat connected to extractor that would always direct from the coolest way towards room regardless of time of day or if it's cooler outside it would automatically draw into room and if the room gets warmer at any point of day it would extract warm air out or if ground is warming room it can draw inward automatically
Absolutely loved this video mate. Often thought about the same. Your video is probably the most honest and succinct video I have watched. I wonder whether it’s worth it in the Riverina NSW? Might be hard to get those temps down. Thankyou John.
Too much groundwater from heavy rain. Climates that have heavy snow in winter are actually much dryer than ours. Cellars generally would become underground pools.
I'm fortunate enough to have a root cellar underneath my 100 year old little cottage house, but I currently don't use it nor the room above it because the floor bearers are damaged and unstable. Your video has given me some great tips and advice to keep in mind for when I eventually get around to replacing the floor and getting the cellar to a state of usable. Especially regarding the ventilation vs what is being stored, as my cellar floor is currently just dirt.
Great work mate 👍
Great idea than I s for sharing 😊
Such a good job and useful space. I know you still want to make some improvements but it looks great already. Well done.😊
Great job! I have always wanted a root cellar, but instead, I have an insulated room in my pole barn. Here in mid-Missouri, USA - the fall is too warm to store fruit and roots. The outdoor temps will range from 60 degrees F to 85 degrees F. So I installed a window air-conditioner and can now drop the room temp to 55 degrees F even on the hot days. Last year, I only needed the A/C for about a month until the outdoor temp cooled.
If I wanted to speed $400 (which I don't) I could buy a "Cool- Bot" and the A/C could cool the room down to the 30's F.
I love the concept of underground storage, but I just feel that my climate just doesn't warrant it. In very cold climates, or hot dry climates they would make great low tech solutions. I'm in a similar climate to you, SI NZ, perhaps a degree or two cooler on average. We can store produce like potatoes in just a cool dark room, until October, which is when new potatoes come on line. I find diversity and a spread of ripening times within species can really extend cropping, without the need for lots of preservation. I remember my father digging crops like carrot and parsnip and storing them in straw under a layer of soil, but to be honest, it just doesn't get cold enough here to go to that effort. They store well just left in the ground.
Ever thought about having external thermostat and internal thermostat connected to extractor that would always direct from the coolest way towards room regardless of time of day or if it's cooler outside it would automatically draw into room and if the room gets warmer at any point of day it would extract warm air out or if ground is warming room it can draw inward automatically
That could be done, but it's not hard to know when the coolest outdoor times are and set a timer accordingly.
Absolutely loved this video mate. Often thought about the same. Your video is probably the most honest and succinct video I have watched. I wonder whether it’s worth it in the Riverina NSW? Might be hard to get those temps down. Thankyou John.
How much did the project cost?
I did not keep detailed costings on it...but in the region of $5000 - $6000 AUD.
I have always wondered why Australia doesn’t have a root cellar culture.
Too much groundwater from heavy rain. Climates that have heavy snow in winter are actually much dryer than ours.
Cellars generally would become underground pools.