root-cellar

Purplexed · #1 06/08/14, 02:40 PM

Hi to everyone. I am a newbe and thought I would pose a question to all about root-cellars.
We live in southern Oregon and have been experiencing warmer than usual temperatures. Several years ago I decided to construct a root cellar behind the house. I had access to an excavator and dug a 5x6ft. pit down 9ft. to what I thought would be deep enough to maintain my air temp.
Approx. 6ft. above the bottom of the pit I leveled out an area 8ftx10ft. Here I started my floor using 2x12 cedar planks covering railroad ties used as my cross members. My thinking was to pull the cool moist air up from the bottom of the pit, to circulate within the storage area above, thus keeping my vegetables cool.
I used a 4" pvc pipe to reach to the bottom (about 6" from the bottom) and had the other end coming up through the floor planks towards the back wall and exiting through the roof. I thought this would be my intake for air circulation.
I then took a 6in. pvc pipe and dropped it through the roof towards the front of the entrance and slightly below to act as my exhaust.
Last year, after not being able to attain a constant cool temp. I cut 1/4in slots between the planking on the floor to gain greater air exchange, thinking I previously did not have enough air movement.
Last fall, again not experiencing the desired effect, I installed a 6in fan in the door to the outside, creating a positive flow of air.
This spring there were problems with water seeping into the pit from above and there was too much moisture causing mildew on everything.
I am at a complete loss and would like some helpful input as to what I can do to salvage this cellar (if possible)and be able to utilize it like I would prefer.
Here are a couple of pictures showing you what I have tried to explain. Thank you for your thoughts and kind words.

elkhound · #2 06/08/14, 03:55 PM

super cool root cellar...great job..it just need tweaking i think.

very first thing i see is the exhaust pipe in roof is sticking down...it has to be cut flush with ceiling for air to move freely.

second and correcting me if i am not seeing it or understanding it correctly is i dont see a pipe at ground level to bring cool air in.it needs one...with mesh wire to keep out mice and snakes and varmints..for it to develop a "draft".

your cool air doesnt come from the ground per say it comes from night air temps.

you see where you can see the log ends where dirt is falling away? i would put another board as high as i could go and also extended that front wall out a bit and maybe even around sides so i could add more dirt.even another foot will help stabilize the temps more.

you might not need the dirt on sides as it does look pretty "thick" but on top you definitely need more dirt as it looks to be only 1 t o 2 feet...correct me if i am not seeing more earth there..just judging it by the top of door.

elkhound · #3 06/08/14, 04:00 PM

get this book its filled with lots of info

http://www.amazon.com/Root-Cellaring...root+cellaring

jwal10 · #4 06/08/14, 04:09 PM

The fan is sucking warm air down from the top and out? You were trying to remove dampness to keep the mold down? Which way does the door face?

....James

jwal10 · #5 06/08/14, 04:14 PM

Your cool moist air IS at the bottom and will not rise, storage should be down there....James

VERN in IL · #6 06/08/14, 04:15 PM

That is a lot of trouble for a root cellar, looks like it would be a great tornado shelter.

IMO, just install a old chest freezer in the ground, do some ventilation and vola, get on your knees, unlock the door and there is access.

Purplexed · #7 06/08/14, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhound

super cool root cellar...great job..it just need tweaking i think.

very first thing i see is the exhaust pipe in roof is sticking down...it has to be cut flush with ceiling for air to move freely.

second and correcting me if i am not seeing it or understanding it correctly is i dont see a pipe at ground level to bring cool air in.it needs one...with mesh wire to keep out mice and snakes and varmints..for it to develop a "draft".

your cool air doesnt come from the ground per say it comes from night air temps.

you see where you can see the log ends where dirt is falling away? i would put another board as high as i could go and also extended that front wall out a bit and maybe even around sides so i could add more dirt.even another foot will help stabilize the temps more.

you might not need the dirt on sides as it does look pretty "thick" but on top you definitely need more dirt as it looks to be only 1 t o 2 feet...correct me if i am not seeing more earth there..just judging it by the top of door.

Thank you for your kind input. The exhaust pipe, I am assuming you are talking about (6" green pipe in roof) was sticking down 6" so any trapped air may be caught. I have 2x6 across top of ceiling for bracing standing on edge.
My air intake is the 4" pvc pipe I have extending below the planks to approximately 6" above the ground floor. There is another 3-4ft. open space below the floor planks.
You are correct about the dirt on top being about 12-15in. deep. I hesitated loading more dirt until it settled for awhile, did not want a cave in.
I ordered the book you recommended and look forward to reading it along with your input, maybe we can make this thing work. There is a lot of time and energy in this project.

Purplexed · #8 06/08/14, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwal10

The fan is sucking warm air down from the top and out? You were trying to remove dampness to keep the mold down? Which way does the door face?

....James

Thank you James. The door faces to the north-east and open inward. When I was experiencing so much dampness, I did in fact use the fan to suck the air through the interior and exit outside. I did help to dry things up, but also I am sure brings in warmer air as well as aiding in the circulation.

Purplexed · #9 06/08/14, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VERN in IL

That is a lot of trouble for a root cellar, looks like it would be a great tornado shelter.

IMO, just install a old chest freezer in the ground, do some ventilation and vola, get on your knees, unlock the door and there is access.

Honestly, I can not remember ever having a tornado come through these parts since I was born. Maybe the next closest thing was a dust-devil, I can remember those.
With regards to your suggestion concerning a chest freezer, I know what I have done is an overkill but a project none the less. If I can not get it to work, I will put a refrigerator in it and keep a brew or two.

elkhound · #10 06/08/14, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplexed

Thank you for your kind input. The exhaust pipe, I am assuming you are talking about (6" green pipe in roof) was sticking down 6" so any trapped air may be caught. I have 2x6 across top of ceiling for bracing standing on edge.
My air intake is the 4" pvc pipe I have extending below the planks to approximately 6" above the ground floor. There is another 3-4ft. open space below the floor planks.
You are correct about the dirt on top being about 12-15in. deep. I hesitated loading more dirt until it settled for awhile, did not want a cave in.
I ordered the book you recommended and look forward to reading it along with your input, maybe we can make this thing work. There is a lot of time and energy in this project.

the air is getting "held up" in those planks....if it was me i would cover it with plywood and get the exhaust flush...my buddy built one last year.he left exhaust hanging down just a few inches and it hindered air flow.after making it flush it worked much better.

so you are saying the 4inch pipe extends outside to draw cool air in?

if it is it on the uphill side that door is on?

being on that side it would uptake cool air better as night fall came and the cool air started drifting down hill.being on a slope the face of cellar is going to stall the cool air..just a bit as it moves around the sides to continue down slope.hope that made sense.

after growing up around cellars and seeing many of various shapes and sizes.and reading that book..they show many aspects of root cellaring that my "ancestors" around here didnt do and i know why certain "things" didnt keep well,work out etc.but people can only do what they can do with at the time being as money,energy and knowledge is not an over night thing.

i have redone...and redone..and redone my own cellar plans now..until i think i have what for me is the ultimate in cellar design is.now to gather the funds and time and energy to make it happen.

feel free to PM(private message) me anytime

p.s. i use to live in PNW