Root Cellar Plans/Ideas

[J.T.]

Anybody have any tips or ideas before I go off half cocked and fire up the excavator? I am considering using gabion baskets with steel support uprights (hidden in the baskets).

 

[MacFromOK]

Might want to make double use as a storm cellar.

Just a thought.
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[J.T.]

Might want to make double use as a storm cellar.

Just a thought.
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It sure could be used for that in a pinch, all kinds of double uses. Makes me wonder about sizes for efficiency...

 

[GeneW]

I don't know, have no idea, but would one of the smaller-ish sized used metal shipping containers work well?

I don't know if they're somewhat rust resistant, or what, or how sturdy they are, but if you were to dig a big enough hole and sort of hill over it, sod and such to protect wind erosion, etc, it might make an excellent root cellar/tornado shelter/ SHTF hidey hole.

 

[swampratt]

I always thought of using a school bus or a van.
Stick it under ground make a tube to crawl down to get into it.
Maybe coat it with tar.

 

[JEVapa]

I don't know, have no idea, but would one of the smaller-ish sized used metal shipping containers work well?

I don't know if they're somewhat rust resistant, or what, or how sturdy they are, but if you were to dig a big enough hole and sort of hill over it, sod and such to protect wind erosion, etc, it might make an excellent root cellar/tornado shelter/ SHTF hidey hole.

You will have to put beams or some other support across the top of a container from side to side of the hole. They will crush like a pop can with the weight on top. Pulling smushed conexes out of the ground is harder than putting them in.

 

[MacFromOK]

I always thought of using a school bus or a van.
Stick it under ground make a tube to crawl down to get into it.
Maybe coat it with tar.

I've often considered burying a "retired" school bus - they used to be cheap (even more so if not running).

So many projects, so little time...
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[cowadle]

if you are wanting a root cellar and not a storm shelter make sure you leave the floor dirt at least so the root crops you store will keep. the best is really dig and use posts with heavy treated lumber or brick for the walls and then backfill. the top can be poured concrete if you want. for root cellar i would make it aprox 10 x10.

 

[SoonerP226]

I always thought of using a school bus or a van.
Stick it under ground make a tube to crawl down to get into it.
Maybe coat it with tar.

That plan worked really well for the Branch Davidians...

 

[Eagle Eye]

You will have to put beams or some other support across the top of a container from side to side of the hole. They will crush like a pop can with the weight on top. Pulling smushed conexes out of the ground is harder than putting them in.

You put smushed conexes into the ground?