Tour Our Underground Root Cellar

Finally getting up a video tour of our root cellar!
If you want to know how we did the build, cost, etc, click over to the blog to read the article and see the pics of the build: www.littlehouseliving.com/bui...
Find more simple living tips over at: www.littlehouseliving.com
Little House Living
PO Box 637
Hot Springs, SD 57747

[@Crosbhealach]

Just some ideas: If the intake pipe extends a ways from the root cellar and is buried a few feet underground then it will cool the air as it travels to the root cellar allowing you to use it for more of the year, possibly the whole summer. Also, if the outflow pipe is black it will be warmed by the sun creating a chimney effect and allowing for greater air exchange.

[@LittleHouseLiving]

Thanks for the tips! The intake pipe runs the entire depth of the root cellar so we will have to see what that does for summer temps. We didn't have it vented yet last summer so I haven't had a chance to fully test it yet.

[@grant1982]

How did it manage over the summer?​@@LittleHouseLiving

[@tonipidsadnick5149]

This is clearly a well-built structure that will last for generations! Thanks for the tour!

[@timothyvuyanich3754]

Looks great. Just be careful with apples, they will make other thinks go bad fast because of off gassing. Try to keep apples close to your vent so gases will escape straight up and out. You may want to put a fine screen or filter on your intake to keep bugs out. You did say you have a filter on the exhaust, that's good. You will have a lot of storage space for as much as you can fit in it when you have to, even in the middle part above the inlet with a few blocks and a shelf to hold extra veggies. Hope this helps to maximize time and space.

[@LittleHouseLiving]

Thanks! Yes, we do have screens on both outlets so hopefully bugs won't be too much of an issue. We definitely will be putting up more shelves similar to the block shelf that we put along the one wall (I've already taken out the metal shelf).

[@margaritagerman]

I have been following your blog for several years. I use many of your recipies. I must admit, this is fabulous. Given a few years, this marvelous build will pay for itself and then make money for you. I don't know that I would have been brave enough to just experiment and see what works for your build. Oranges? Wow, experimenting really pays off. Thank you so much for all the marvelous things you share. I so appreciate the time and energy you take from family chores to produce content for us. God bless and thank you.

[@LittleHouseLiving]

We figured it was about the price of a new fridge but this "fridge" should last us a lifetime :) And yes, the experimenting as been fun. I never would have thought about storing those things!

[@ednabloom6668]

It might be a good idea to have a sturdy doorstop/brick/jug of sand/etc. to prop the door when you are working in your root cellar. You want to be sure that the door doesn't accidentally get closed while you are inside.

[@russellwood8750]

Absolutely awesome root cellar. Great use of materials.. I realize it’s your first time using this root cellar and I’m sure there’s more you’re going to add to it. I like your entryway and I like the use of the large stones as retaining wall in the gaps in the retaining wall I would plant possibly some herbs. It will look amazing and smell fantastic and when you’re coming out to get stuff for dinner you can select some fresh herbs to.. I would’ve put a little drain in the floor with a pipe running out to drain somewhere then I would’ve bought some cheap nonslip tiles tiled the floor with a slope going towards the little floor drain I would’ve tiled the walls. Nothing special, some cheap tiles this way every now and again you could’ve went in with a pressure washer wash the whole thing out keeping it nice and clean. I love the use of your milk crate. I like using them myself. They are great for stacking and they allow lots of ventilation for your fruits and vegetables . To stainless steel wire shelving’s is a great idea. They allow lots of airflow and they don’t take up much space does cinderblocks is a great way to use material until you come up with something better, but it takes away space from your storage. A couple of those wire shelves with wheels are great idea to pick them up anywhere Costco anywhere. You can wheel them outside holds them down so they’re all nice and clean. They work really well.. considering how well this has worked out and it looks great. It’s a shame you didn’t have two of these damaged cisterns. You could’ve set one up as a dry storage root cellar, and one has a damn storage root cellar. That’s where your root cellar would’ve been able to store a large variety of fresh produce. But I have to say it is one of the best systems I’ve seen looks great. Looking forward to checking out more stuff you do on your channel. Good job guys it’s better than the crap that’s on TV now days.

[@Eiliasaiden]

Thank you for the tour. That root cellar is quality from top to bottom! It's amazing what hard work can do. The information about long-term storage of pineapple was valuable news to me Katie has the most beautiful coloring in her face that I have ever seen! She looks so intelligent, too.

[@LittleHouseLiving]

I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! Yes, Kady is super smart...sometimes too smart for her own good :)

[@CleoHarperReturns]

Florida girl here -- oranges, and almost all other citrus actually, can last forever in a fridge or cellar as long as the humidity is consistent and the fruit is allowed to off-gas, as yours clearly is. If in the fridge, regular opening of the door/storing citrus in its own drawer (or with some types of apples) will regulate the off-gassing just fine. Fine-skinned citrus, or citrus with a super high sugar content, doesn't do quite as well but it still lasts. Also as soon as you see just one piece of citrus picking up any kind of mold don't try to save it. Toss it and wash everything out. This goes a heck of a long way in preserving the rest.

[@debbieblack9057]

love it...thank you for sharing..great inspiration for food storage...keep on posting!

[@enjoyingthejourneycanceras2355]

It looks beautifully built. Nice job

[@mountainvalleyrefuge]

Very interesting set up, it is a beautiful root cellar!

[@pattee8169]

Thank you for the tour. I really admire your frugality.

[@chefboyrdanbh]

I love it! I have wanted a root cellar for a long time. Thanks

[@bethenyauker4727]

You guys did an amazing job! It looks wonderful!

[@thepitpatrol]

What a wonderful job! Very nice!

[@TheLittleHomestead1]

Wow this is incredible and what a lot of hard work it took to build it - well done :) Thanks for all your helpful, informative videos too ! ~ Linda

[@marygallagher3428]

Great root cellar!

[@rebeccafranks9859]

Very nice!! Thank you for sharing.

[@barbarajames4417]

Wow Merissa, I love your root celler. Your amazing.

[@tgchism]

Wow! Very nice root cellar! Very functional and built amazingly well! I'm a new viewer and looking forward to checking out more of your videos! Katie looks like a really sweet heeler pup! Our heeler, Dashia is going on 14 years old now! Such good and loyal family dogs!

[@chantal3172]

Thank you so much for sharing.

[@LittleHouseLiving]

You're welcome!

[@erwinbrubacker7488]

Nice, Iv been wanting a root/storm shelter. Another project !

[@beulahlebarge2586]

So cool great job 👏 👍

[@B-leafer]

Cool root cellar. You might want to tag a date on your boxes of produce when you put them in storage. Fyi

[@marybratton1766]

Taking all those good things in to cook...I am coming over to eat at your place!😊😊

[@Lindy7069]

Very nice!

[@HeidiKennedy]

That’s so cool!

[@COWELLGIRL]

Thanks for sharing

[@tracyjones6284]

That is a very cool root cellar.BTW,if you are game,you can use those older apples to make applesauce apple cider or if you are inclined to do so,applejack.

[@kimco31st]

Just came across your site. Hello neighbor, we are in Vale.

[@edensgarden1775]

Very nice, I need to use our basement to store food. My husband is laid off and we are struggling. Want to produce enough veggies in my garden to last next Winter.

[@LittleHouseLiving]

We used a cold closet and a basement for many years before this and that can work well also! I have some tips on other types of cold storage here: www.littlehouseliving.com/frugal-cold-storage.html

[@edensgarden1775]

@@LittleHouseLiving thank you

[@davej7458]

Oranges and pineapples who would have thought. It pays to keep an open mind. Good stewardship of your little bit of the world.

[@janeirvine8391]

This was a great video. I saw the construction vid on this. We want to build a root cellar too! I thought it would be nice to have a small solar panel on top to power a string of lights inside the structure. I do have a question: Do you worry about mice getting in through the vents? Thank you for posting this video. We've subscribed. Blessings, health, prosperity and peace to you and yours! 😘👍😇💖

[@LittleHouseLiving]

We have metal covers over the vents so no critters can find their way in. The cats always like to go in with me too so they provide a little extra patrolling ; )

[@gnome2024]

Never mind the root cellar, you have the most beautiful eyes!

[@melisaeslinger6247]

Thanks, Merissa! Can a root cellar be built from the ground up? Also I live in the southeastern part of NC; will a root cellar work in warmer climates?

[@LittleHouseLiving]

We considered building this root cellar out of concrete blocks and then were going to pour concrete in them as well. That would definitely be from the ground up. We only decided against it after pouring all our house concrete last year (ourselves with a small mixer) and deciding we didn't want to do any more. :p I think a root cellar could work in warmer climates but you'd likely have to bury it deeper in the ground.

[@suzannefronzaglio2427]

What growing zone are you in?(State?) Thanks. Lovely root cellar. I really like how the entrance is long before you get to the main door.

[@LittleHouseLiving]

We are in South Dakota, zone 4. The entrance is necessary with the style of how we built it to be able to get it as far underground as possible. :)

[@johnoskin7453]

Need solar lights so the door can be kept closed but it's a great idea using a cistern or septic tank.

[@chefboyrdanbh]

How can a find a bulk food CO OP near me?

[@RickpWeaver]

Hey how's the root cellar holding up?

[@rbsmith7263]

What is the average temp during your summer?

[@BoHarry71]

How long do you expect crops to last in there? Does the lack of moisture help you preserve?

[@LittleHouseLiving]

We are not storing anything there in the summer, only oer the winter. The humidty is very high in the root cellar in the winter which is actually more helpful for long term storage for the items we are storing.

[@tammiarnhalt5952]

Who do you use as your bulk food supplier?

[@kylemonroe4059]

i’m lost, isn’t the point of a root cellar to keep it cool and moist? why would you want to keep moisture out. please educate me

[@LittleHouseLiving]

I guess I'm confused by your comment. Our root cellar is cool and moist. It stays between 34 and 38 F in the winter and at least 80% humidity. You still need to vent it to prevent mold but that doesn't remove the moisture/cold.

[@agoogleuser6902]

I think looking term you're going to have an issue not having enough humidity

[@LittleHouseLiving]

The humidity for a root cellar should be between 85-95%. Ours consistently stays right at around 90% (when the door isn't left open like it was for filming this tour.

[@agoogleuser6902]

@@LittleHouseLiving I don't see how the humidity stays so high with having a concrete floor. Ideas?

[@LittleHouseLiving]

@@agoogleuser6902 We have it properly vented with an air intake and an exhaust. This helps with the air movement and humidity. I highly recommend the book Root Cellaring for more detailed info on all kinds of root cellars. It's an excellent resource.

[@archangel20031]

Canned applesauce?

[@andrew1717xx]

I suggest better labelling.

[@annettepartridge159]

Katie is beautiful! What breed is she?

[@LittleHouseLiving]

She's a Blue Heeler :)