Beatrice Lang
Before the invention of the refrigerator, people had to rely on creative methods to preserve their food. Some of these traditional methods, such as root cellars, spring houses, and Zeer pots, are still used today as inexpensive and sustainable ways to keep food cool without electricity. Root cellars, for example, are structures that are partially or fully buried underground and provide a cool and stable environment for storing perishable food items. Zeer pots, also known as clay pot coolers, use evaporative cooling to lower the temperature of their contents. These techniques can be especially useful in arid regions and can help maintain a safe and sustainable food supply during power outages or for those living off the grid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Root cellar, Zeer pot, Ice house, Spring house |
| Materials | Clay, ceramic pots, sand, water, caves, wells, ice |
| Food items | Root vegetables, canned goods, fruits, nuts, milk, cheese, meat |
| Temperature | Below 40°F (4°C) |
| Environment | Dry, arid places |
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$12.12 $19.95
What You'll Learn
Root cellars
A root cellar is typically a structure that is partially or fully buried underground to maintain a cool and stable environment. The underground location helps keep the temperature cooler in the summer and prevents the produce from freezing in the winter. The soil insulates and maintains a cooler temperature, and a packed earth or gravel floor is better than concrete for higher moisture retention.
There are different types of root cellars, ranging from simple to complex designs, and varying in construction materials. The traditional root cellar is a purpose-built structure dug into the ground, with its own separate door outside. Another type is the hill root cellar, which is built into the side of a hill. If you only need to store a small amount of produce, a barrel or box can be buried in the ground instead.
There are a few key considerations when building a root cellar. Firstly, ventilation is important to prevent ethylene gas from spoiling produce and to avoid mould from a lack of air circulation. Secondly, the amount of space you have available and the quantity of food you need to store will determine the size and type of root cellar you build.
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Zeer pots
Materials and Construction:
Assembly:
Place a layer of sand at the bottom of the large pot and then place the smaller pot inside. Pour sand into the gap between the two pots, filling it to just below the rim. Ensure that the smaller pot is level with the larger pot. Bolt down the inner pot to prevent it from floating when you add water. Place a wet cloth or fabric over the smaller pot to aid in evaporation and cooling.
How it Works:
The Zeer pot utilizes evaporative cooling to lower temperatures. The water in the sand evaporates, drawing heat outward and cooling the contents of the smaller pot. The sand acts as a thermal mass, helping to keep the pot cold and spreading moisture up the walls of the pots. Place the Zeer pot in a shaded, breezy location to enhance evaporation and cooling. The pot can also be placed in front of a fan powered by a solar panel to increase airflow and cooling.
Effectiveness:
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Spring houses
When building a spring house, it is ideal to construct it against a hill to benefit from its insulating properties. The walls of a spring house are typically between one and two feet thick and are made from stone found on the property. A small channel is often built along the inside walls to direct the flow of water around the structure, helping to keep the internal temperature cool.
The spring house is typically built on top of a natural spring or near a creek to provide a constant source of cool water. The water from the spring or creek flows into the channel built into the walls, and the cool temperatures help to preserve perishable food items such as dairy products, meats, and fruits, and vegetables.
In addition to spring houses, other methods for keeping food cool without electricity include root cellars, Zeer pots, and ice houses. Root cellars are structures partially or fully buried underground, providing a cool and stable environment for storing food. Zeer pots, also known as pot coolers, use evaporative cooling to lower the temperature inside the pot, effectively cooling the contents. Ice houses, preferably built underground, can be used to harvest ice during winter for use in warmer months.
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Underground storage
To build an underground storage unit, you can follow these steps:
- Find a suitable location: Look for an area with dry, arid conditions, as evaporation is a key concept in keeping the root cellar cool. Avoid locations with high humidity, as this can impact the effectiveness of the cooling mechanism.
- Dig a hole: The depth and size of the hole will depend on your specific needs and the amount of food you plan to store. Ensure the hole is deep enough to provide adequate cooling but also allow for easy access.
- Construct the storage unit: Build a structure within the hole using materials such as concrete, stone, or wood. Ensure the structure is sturdy and well-insulated to maintain a consistent temperature.
- Install shelves or bins: Create storage spaces within the unit to organize and store your food items. This can be in the form of shelves or bins, allowing for proper air circulation and accessibility.
- Maintain proper ventilation: Ensure that your underground storage unit has adequate ventilation to facilitate the evaporation process and maintain the desired temperature.
- Stock your food items: Root cellars are ideal for storing root vegetables, canned goods, fruits, and nuts. Store your food in a way that promotes air circulation and helps maintain the quality of the produce.
By following these steps, you can create an effective underground storage unit to keep your food cool without relying on electricity. This traditional method has been used for centuries and can be a sustainable and inexpensive solution for food preservation.
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Ice houses
An ice house is a building used to store ice throughout the year and was commonly used before the invention of the refrigerator. Some ice houses are underground chambers, usually man-made, close to natural sources of winter ice such as freshwater lakes, while others are buildings with various types of insulation.
During the winter, ice and snow would be cut from lakes or rivers, taken into the ice house, and packed with insulation (often straw or sawdust). It would remain frozen for many months, often until the following winter, and could be used as a source of ice during the summer months. The ice was primarily used for food storage, but it was also used to cool drinks and make ice cream and sorbet.
In modern times, ice houses are well insulated using modern materials to supply ice year-round. For example, one can use 20” thick Styrofoam blocks to set a layer of Styrofoam on a cement slab on the floor, then stack up the Styrofoam blocks at each of the walls. After the walls are constructed, another row of Styrofoam is placed on top. Once the blocks are stacked, metal binding straps are used to bundle the structure together. Then, a chainsaw is used to cut down each joint. Finally, spray foam is used to seal the joints, forming one large Styrofoam box on the cement or concrete ground.
The idea of ice houses is long gone now, with the advent of electricity, refrigerators, and freezers. However, in places with extremely cold winters, one could theoretically build an ice house and harvest ice in the wintertime for use when the weather is warmer.
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Frequently asked questions
One option is to build a root cellar, a structure that is partially or fully buried underground. Root cellars provide a cool and stable environment, preserving perishable food items.
Alternatively, you can create a Zeer pot or pot cooler, an ancient Egyptian device that employs evaporative cooling to keep food cool.
Root cellars are structures that are typically partially or fully buried underground. They are often used to store root vegetables, canned goods, fruits, and nuts.
Zeer pots are made from ceramic pots, sand, and water. They are portable, non-electric mini-fridges that use evaporative cooling to keep food cool.
