How to Turn an Old Freezer Into an Effective Root Cellar

Got an old chest freezer? Give it a new life and turn it into a root cellar to store your fruits and vegetables over the winter. We have used a buried freezer root cellar for many years. We built this new one for additional storage space and to make improvements on the original design.
Huge thanks to Aiden for all of his help building this root cellar!
Check out the original design at • Easy DIY Root Cellar f... Every year it gets filled with potatoes for the winter.
You can learn more about DIY root cellars at TheProvidentPrepper.org
Chillin in Our DIY Buried Freezer Root Cellar - theprovidentpr...
Inexpensive Root Cellars: 13 Literally Cool Ideas to Chill With - theprovidentpr...
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[@OBXDewey]

I used to live in SE Idaho where it got down to -20. I used an old small fridge and it worked great. Used it for years. I dug a pit so the top/door when laid down sat 4 inches below ground. I drilled holes in the back for ventilation. I lined the pit with black plastic. I laid the fridge in the pit with the door up, black plastic would be able to fold over it to keep water and snow out. Lined the bottom with some straw. Filled it with potatoes. Eventually I took some old plywood and shingles and made a roof/covering and had it slope a bit and covered it. The cellar worked like a champ. I had potatoes into June the next year. No problem with freezing.

[@mikemcgrath7280]

One other thought is in the bottom of the Freezer. Stand 2 X 4s is up on edge.. Secured. You only need maybe 3 of them and then fill up the space with pea gravel. The pea gravel will also get cold which will help the temperature inside. And to avoid any standing moisture or water.

[@tincankiller6454]

Very nice, newer system much improved. I always find when doing a 2nd or 3rd of any project it always gets upgraded that how we learn. Those old freezers are handy we use for livestock feed storage, depending on size of freezer several bags will fit inside keeps mice other critters out. Stay Safe & Good Luck

[@MegaPetty13]

I remember my grandparents having a one of these near their barn. Looks like I need to start looking for a broken deep freeze!

[@TexCen]

New to your channel but, I gotta 'say - you're a pretty cool grandpa. You remind me a bit of mine; he was a cowboy/cattle rancher, but VERY much a "DIY - and teach the youngsters how to do it while you're at it" kind of guy. Good on ya.

[@everythingmatters6308]

I'm not understanding a lot of this. Could you do a second video with a diagram on paper explaining why you did everything the way you did? What is the purpose of the heavy lids? What planting zones will this work in? What if you have tree roots and can only get it half way buried? Wouldn't cold air from the vents freeze your food if it stays below 25 degrees for a few days?

[@bastionwolf]

Seriously, I couldn't follow along at all. Plus he really should've included different options to the reasons he did things the way he did.

[@dr.froghopper6711]

I live in the desert. Even in winter, it’s dry here and solar is very regular. I dry most of my stuff.

[@mslayne001]

I love this idea, but I have a question, would too much snow plug up the vents. would I need to make the higher. I checked my workshop and I already have everything for this project. I even have and old freezer in my garage. Great video

[@margaret2222]

I wish you had showed how you get into that thing. How do you reach things in the bottom? Looks like a great project but I have so many more questions.

[@bluefoxblitz8416]

❤❤what a great little helper for your pop! Good on you kid! Love from Australia 🦘🦘🦘💜💜💜

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

😊 thank you

[@CNyst1978]

Adorable - your grandson did a great job! Thank you for the video!

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Thank you so much 😊 He is adorable!

[@justmefolks1863]

How do you handle the freon? Love your design and have all the items needed.

[@jenniferwilliams545]

I was wondering the same thing. Good question.

[@stephensuter7242]

Great work - could you show how you laid out the inside - and how do you get the stuff at the bottom?

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Organization would be based on what you store & access could be as simple as a rope tied to each crate or bin. Any root veggie storage video would explain that. Tip: keep apples & veggies in separate freezers.

[@Ihavenoideawhyduh]

This is a great idea!!!!!

[@patricianichols9514]

Why not put a counter weight cabling/framing to help lift the lid?

[@mariadelatorre4420]

Great idea 💡 😊

[@rodeleon2875]

i'd build the roof lighter and bolt it to the lid and beef up the hinges on the lid. that way 1 person could get in/out easy

[@MichaelR58]

Good video, thanks for sharing, God bless !

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Thanks for watching!

[@starr9245]

Thanks from Trenton ontario canada

[@frankenstein3163]

I'm thinking about making ice with freezer and doing this for an off grid refrigerator to save on electricity bill. I will be using an ice chest and I will be digging a bit deeper. My weather is a little warmer. What's your thought's on my idea ?

[@philw7174]

Thank you Jonathan and Adin, great video. Happy trails!

[@kathyhood5482]

In the deep south I wonder if the high water table would impact the freezer. Also, I am concerned about fire ants that could get through the screens. Any suggestions.

[@leigh23]

What about gluing a finer screen to the back of what he put on? I was thinking the screen from patio doors, but I just remembered I’ve seen the really fine mesh screen in metal.

[@beebob1279]

Great demonstration. What about using an insulated freezer in the attached garage to the house for winter?

[@sarahtar]

Do you need to bury it below the frost line?

[@deedieducati2272]

BRILLIANT!

[@kristentaylor7051]

Great video

[@RyanMercer]

Neat

[@cabinfevernanna5897]

You guys are so creative

[@tinayanotitinaro7569]

Any suggestions for people in Florida…..I don’t think this would work in our heat.

[@Inthesouth2]

We can't do that because in Southeast Texas we are below Sea level. 😢

[@marygallagher3428]

Great design!

[@catherinemiller8033]

For the new roof angled downward for water run off - instead of lifting it off why now incorporate hedges on the highest point of the top !

[@DebbieAndrews3435]

Looks awesome.

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Thanks for your help!

[@rahkielsingh6028]

Would this be sufficient for long term seed storage? Idk about the vents for seeds? The idea would be to keep it as dry as possible so the humidity stays low.

[@CatsAreNiceMeow]

Great idea! Thank you!!

[@passamaquoddy5590]

Its a great idea but, not hidden. I live in an apartment and don't have these types of options

[@catherinemiller8033]

Can you use this type of root seller for dog food, and if so how long would the food last?

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Interesting idea. I see a little problem with humidity. That is great for veggies but not dry dog food. That problem would be solved with an airtight container - plastic bucket, Mylar, etc. It would keep it cooler which would slow down rancidity and extend the shelf life. It could double the shelf life of the dog food. I'll have to think on this one.

[@jasonpeters3228]

One tip is if you can find a broken Scientific Freezer they are insulated more that any other freezer to hold extremely low temperatures.

[@shannons1301]

What all do you store in it? Can onions be stored in it?

[@robert4027]

Great idea. . how cold does it get in winter there ??

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Down to -10 ish

[@robert4027]

@@TheProvidentPrepper ok cool thanks. same here but only for a week or 2 at most I'm in Washington State

[@tyebo2010]

looks like it will be very awkward to get access to the food

[@biblestudywithus6011]

Can you use an upright freezer?

[@jonathondyson8813]

Yes but you have to lay it on its back. It’s the exacts same concept. And if you add stackable shelves you can easily organize!

[@elainematiasiewich7292]

At 40 below the top of that freezer better be 8 feet underground

[@jobisrael8313]

Let's say you was not putting fresh food in there but canned goods or canning or dry food you won't have to take them steps right. 12-15-23

[@nomadsurvival4952]

Tried that its just a mold magnet....

[@justnana2256]

Did you do the venting?

[@nomadsurvival4952]

Yes 6 inch duct @@justnana2256

[@studerje]

Repost of older video.

[@brettbarce8563]

Really Really cold, pushing freezing 😂😂😂 Really cold is -20°f Really Really cold is - 45°f 🥶 🧊 ☃️