How to Make an Above-Ground Root Celler

The cooler the temperature the longer food will last, with a few exceptions. Fresh fruits and vegetables that go bad in a week sitting on the kitchen counter can last months when stored at 45 degrees. A root cellar is a structure designed to keep food in the temperature range right above freezing, keeping it cold without being frozen. While most root cellars were traditionally built below ground, you can make your own smaller version on top of the earth by recycling some unused items.

Old refrigerator
Screwdriver
Hay bales
Shovel
Plastic tarp

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase or find a broken refrigerator with the motor and cooling unit removed. If the cooling element is intact on your refrigerator, consult with a professional on how to remove it to prevent dangerous chemical spills.
- 2
  Unscrew and remove any latching or locking mechanism from the refrigerator and freezer doors. Remove any shelving from the inside of the box.
- 3
  Dig out a rectangle in your yard the same size as the back of the refrigerator. Dig down about 6 inches to make sure the entire back surface of the box will have solid contact with the dirt.
- 4
  Lay the refrigerator on the ground with the doors facing up. Surround the box with a wall of hay bales on all four sides.
- 5
  Cover the hay bales with plastic tarp. Cover the tarp with a 6-inch layer of soil all around, creating a dirt hill around the refrigerator.
- 6
  Wait until the outdoor temperature is about 50 degrees, then fill the root cellar with baskets and boxes of food. Close the door, cover the door with hay bales, then cover the bales with a plastic tarp.

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