Food cellar

[Peter Engkvist]

We have lifted the floor in the kitchen and found a mullbänk. Now we are considering digging down about 70 cm to create a pantry there.
Is it a completely crazy idea? Has anyone done it and/or have tips on how to build in the best way?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Jonatan79]

Well, just half-crazy I would say. It gets quite cramped, what should be stored?

 

[Peter Engkvist]

Hmm, just half-crazy I would say. It gets pretty cramped, what will be stored?

Thinking of using it for drinks, potatoes, and canned goods etc.

 

[Jonatan79]

Build a large pantry instead, perhaps with a vent to the outer wall if it fits, like in the good old days.

 

[Peter Engkvist]

Build a large pantry instead, maybe with a vent towards the exterior wall if it fits, like in the good old days.

It's a good idea. Unfortunately, we don't have space for a pantry...

 

[jonaserik]

There will be a large hatch in the floor with a ladder/staircase leading down then. In the past, some crofts and farms had this, and the hatch would be hidden under a rug in the kitchen.

 

[Peter Engkvist]

There will be a large hatch in the floor with a ladder/staircase down then. In the past, some cottages and farms had this, and the hatch was hidden under a rug in the kitchen.

That's exactly the idea. The question is how should we build the floor and walls? Insulation or not?

 

[jonaserik]

You'll need to dig out so that there's at least 1 meter to the ceiling, preferably deeper. It always tends to be too tight no matter what you think. Then you'll see if water appears there or not. You build the roads with studs and about 10 - 15 insulation, foam. is good. Build the outer walls first and the inside later, easier. Then it depends on what you will have there. I would put a metal mesh closest to the outer walls, and it should extend about 20 cm into the ground and a bit into the ceiling as well; assume that you'll get visitors there and they will eat everything. The floor itself can be dirt with some decking on top. A root cellar doesn't have a concrete floor, but you can pour concrete at the bottom and smooth it out if you want. You'll have to decide on the width size yourself, but as mentioned above, don't be stingy; it always ends up being too small no matter how you think about it. You'll need a ladder/stairs, and they take up space too. Draw out on paper first how you want it, with stairs/ladder.