coolgardie safe and root vegies

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posted 16 years ago

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for storing root vegetables in a warm but humid climate?
http://www.off-grid.net/2008/05/24/low-energy-refrigeration/

my area is probably too humid in the summer for it to actually be an effective refrigeration tool but I thought maybe it could at least enable me to store potatoes which is a problem here.

its a variation on this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coolgardie_safe

[img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/havlik1/permie%20pics2/permiepotrait3pdd.jpg[/img]

"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

Susan Monroe

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Location: Western WA

posted 16 years ago

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I've heard them referred to as 'zeer pots".

The cooling ability of zeer pots and coolgardie safes is relative. Their maximum low temperature under ideal conditions tends to be around 60-70ºF, which I'm sure seems cool when air temps in the shade are 100-120ºF.

It isn't refrigeration by any means.

Sue

Leah Sattler

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posted 16 years ago

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I'm to really expecting real refrigeration but I'm thinking i could "over summer" some more of my potatoes in a contraption similar to this. just some large pots within larger pots in the shade with a little sprinkling of water in the soil in the exterior pot. not enough room in the frig and they just don't seem to hold that well in the ground. they either rot or burn up or get eaten by something.

[img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/havlik1/permie%20pics2/permiepotrait3pdd.jpg[/img]

"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

Susan Monroe

Posts: 1093

Location: Western WA

posted 16 years ago

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What about a potato barrel?

It's a barrel that is laid on its side beside a building (north/coolest side), with a thick mound of soil over it, with the top now the door (insulated). It might be kept even cooler if it was planted with something (clover?) and dampened daily in hot weather.

Unless your new place has a root cellar?

Sue

Leah Sattler

Posts: 2603

posted 16 years ago

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no root cellar. sounds like the 'potato' barrel is basically the same idea. using evaporation to help cool the interior. I know where I can buy those big plastic 55 gal barrels. they will work great I bet.

[img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/havlik1/permie%20pics2/permiepotrait3pdd.jpg[/img]

"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

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