Looking to build a winter vegetable storage 'cellar'

BigBlue1 · Jun 21, 2018

We live in a house that has a walk-out lower level that is finished. It has in-floor heat throughout. As such, we have no typical 'cellar' or 'basement' areas that stay cool in the winter. Lowest temp in a closet area on the outer wall is probably only down to low 60*s (F). I live in Minnesota where it gets very cold in winter so storage in outside garage/shed always drop below freezing for long periods.

We'd like to be able to store vegetables long-term through the winter. I know that requires a cool, dry place. This would include things like onions, potatoes, squash, etc. I'm toying with the idea of building a small container (say the size of a wardrobe or small closet) that I heat with a light bulb or heat lamp to keep it about 45*F all winter. This would be placed in our attached garage, which definitely gets below freezing in winter.

So, two questions:

1. Does this sound like a good idea? Is there a better idea I should consider, given my situation?

2. If I build this container 'box' what would be a good design? I'm thinking plywood walls, layer of foam sheeting for insulation (needed?) and a large door to get easy access to shelves inside. Shelves probably made from wire mesh or chicken-wire type fencing to promote airflow (to avoid mold). Light with a temp-controlled switch. Would a fan help? Adding a desicant packet to reduce humidity?

Thanks,
Rob

BLSXJ · Jun 21, 2018

I'm int he same boat.... walk out basement....and want a cold cellar.

I think the best idea I came across was to modify a window shaker AC unit and install it into a existing closet.... and insulate the snot out of it. (AC unit on interior wall)

If your set on or in the garage solution... why not use an old fridge or freezer? and add a light bulb to it.

BigBlue1 · Jun 21, 2018

BLSXJ said:
I'm int he same boat.... walk out basement....and want a cold cellar.

I think the best idea I came across was to modify a window shaker AC unit and install it into a existing closet.... and insulate the snot out of it. (AC unit on interior wall)

If your set on or in the garage solution... why not use an old fridge or freezer? and add a light bulb to it.

I thought about that, but figured it may be too airtight and would promote mold growth due to humidity.

Rob

oosik · Jun 21, 2018

In the winter I would adjust the heat in our attached garage to 40F. Any lower - I didn't sleep well at nights - worry about it turning bitter cold and pipes freezing.

We would go up to the Matanuska Valley and buy spuds, onions, carrots etc in bulk and store them in boxes and hanging burlap sacks in the garage.

Worked great. Very little loss due to mold. Fresh veggies all winter.

Einthewoods · Jun 21, 2018

This is generally what I am planning on doing. Not sure if it would work for you or not.

Build a Basement Root Cellar - DIY - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

EDIT:
Sorry, just noticed the part of your post where you said you have a heated floor.....not sure if you could insulated the floor of the root cellar enough to stop that or not.

MossRoad · Jun 21, 2018

Why don't you just use a refrigerator in you basement set at about 40 degrees? We buy onions and carrots and potatoes and apples, etc... at the grocery store and store them for months on end in our fridge in the basement.

Jstpssng · Jun 22, 2018

Einthewoods said:
This is generally what I am planning on doing. Not sure if it would work for you or not.

Build a Basement Root Cellar - DIY - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

EDIT:
Sorry, just noticed the part of your post where you said you have a heated floor.....not sure if you could insulated the floor of the root cellar enough to stop that or not.

With a little planning and a CoolBot CoolBot Installation Guide | CoolBot Temperature Controller you also could turn that into a summer walkin cooler.

Einthewoods · Jun 22, 2018

Jstpssng said:
With a little planning and a CoolBot CoolBot Installation Guide | CoolBot Temperature Controller you also could turn that into a summer walkin cooler.

I plan to insulate the heck out of it and see how it goes. Would mostly be used in the fall and winter to keep items from the garden and apple trees over winter. But you're right, adding one of those Coolbot things would really open up the possibilities. I'll have to look into them some - thanks for the link.

BigBlue1 · Jun 22, 2018

MossRoad said:
Why don't you just use a refrigerator in you basement set at about 40 degrees? We buy onions and carrots and potatoes and apples, etc... at the grocery store and store them for months on end in our fridge in the basement.

I guess my thought was that a sealed environment like a fridge would not be good for dry storage of things like potatoes and onions. Plus, a used fridge would be several hundred bucks and my electric bill is already outrageous. And no good spot for one, really.

My hope would be that I could build my idea for less than $100 (I have a lot of spare lumber around) and a small bulb wouldn't be that much extra electricity.

Rob

MossRoad · Jun 22, 2018

We remove the crisper drawers, cut down some corrugated boxes to fit the space, but about 2" shorter to leave a good air gap. Set our onions and potatoes in the boxes and they keep for months as long as the fridge isn't kept too cold. We do the same thing with apples and carrots on the next shelf up. Works pretty well. Can't hold a lot of volume, though.