We’ll take a look at some items that can be stored in a root cellar and how long they may last when stored this way. It is essential to do some research regarding adapting different techniques to use a root cellar.ĭiffering storage techniques and temperature zones are two benefits of the modern refrigerator – and you can mimic these benefits in your root cellar. Not everything requires the same storage conditions. Numerous products can be stored in a root cellar to keep them in the best condition for as long as possible. What Can We Store in a Chilled Root Cellar? However, the cold does slow it sufficiently so that the usable life can be extended quite considerably. The cold temperatures in a root cellar do not stop the process of decomposition completely. If you’ve ever left fruits and vegetables out on your kitchen counter, you’ve probably witnessed this effect firsthand. It is the ethylene gas and the microorganisms that cause raw produce to ripen too quickly and then decompose.Īny raw produce that is kept in warm, well-lit environments will become inedible within a short period of time. We are also able to greatly inhibit the growth of microorganisms. When we store food in the dark with the cool temperatures of a root cellar, we can slow the production of ethylene gas. Why Do We Need to Store Food at Low Temperatures? We are then able to enjoy our bounty whenever we want while also being assured that the cold of the root cellar has kept the food fresh, not frozen, and free of contaminants. Taking these factors into account, we can create a root cellar that is cool enough to store all the harvested crops that we need for the season ahead. The depth of 10 feet is not definitive, however, since it is necessary to consider the location, soil type, and the ambient temperature above the ground. This small amount of earth will create a difference of approximately 20 degrees between the interior and outside temperature.Ĭonsequently, if we can dig even further down, to approximately 10 feet to create a root cellar, it will maintain the temperature that we require to keep our food nice and cold. This has been dug into the flat ground, where a temperature difference occurs. There is only one foot of earth above a root cellar. In general, when we dig down into the earth, the temperature is reduced in comparison to the above-ground temperature. This kind of storage facility uses the natural properties of the earth to cool. How, then, is it possible that a root cellar can be kept this cold without using modern, electric-powered refrigeration devices? There must be more to it than just burying a room or a container in the ground, right?īelieve it or not, it’s really that simple!Ĭreating a root cellar is easy provided that certain conditions are adhered to in its construction. To fully understand the benefits and natural cooling properties of a root cellar, we’ll explore the topic a bit more deeply. This makes a root cellar as cold as a refrigerator. How cold should a root cellar be to keep your produce fresh?Īn efficient root cellar must be able to hold a stable temperature of 32º to 40✯ (0° to 4.5☌) year-round. This can be used just like a refrigerator to store food. The only alternative available was to use the properties that Mother Nature already provided.Īny container or room below ground can be used to create a root cellar. Historically, though, this option was not available. We are confident that food will remain fresh in the refrigerator for some time. We often take modern-day appliances, such as a refrigerator, for granted.
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