Project Root Cellar ......out of a 8' tall x 14' metal culvert

[zing]

I was wondering if the drain was to be used for air from the start. I think with a roof vent you should get a bit of a thermosiphon draft...I know the root cellar plans I have seen all seem to be set up that way, with an upper vent and a vent to floor level.

Just be sure to "vermin proof" the daylight ends. I have a bad enough time with chipmunks and squirrels in my fruit trees and veggies as it is (and if the gardens weren't fenced, I'm sure the rabbits and woodchucks would also help themselves). We stored potatoes in the basement one year...mice found them.

I like the dumbwaiter idea, but here's another possibility: just a series of well spaced shelves.
Open the doghouse, set crate on top shelf.
Climb in, down a bit, then move crate to next shelf.
Climb down some more, next shelf.
I'm envisioning them spaced stairwise on either side of the ladder/stairs, but you get the idea...separate moving the crate from moving you. Just a thought, I don't know how it would work in practice.

How about a trampoline on the bottom? Stand at top step with armload of food, jump from the top step and when you bounce up put stuff on a shelf. back down to trampoline and then bounce right back out the door. :thumbsup: :cool2:

 

[GLyford]

Bit hard on the knees, that...

 

[dave1949]

Rick, you need another spiral stairway.

 

[Green Power]

Cool project M7! Excited to see if it works well.

 

[tnmike]

If natural convection doesn't move the air enough you could force the air with a fan. Maybe a solar panel and 12 volt fan.

Looking good... Wow what a hole.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Looking good

 

[dave1949]

If natural convection doesn't move the air enough you could force the air with a fan. Maybe a solar panel and 12 volt fan.

Looking good... Wow what a hole.

Solar powered attic/roof venting fan. Integrated into one unit.

Home Depot - 15 Watt Solar-Powered Roof Exhaust Fan customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

 

[MotorSeven]

I picked up the bridge form metal today...it is not as heavy as I expected...only 22 gauge, so it will need supports:

I have a pile of industrial shelving frames that was left behind from the previous owner. It's the type you see in Lowe's or Home Depot so it is pretty heavy duty. They are 9' long so I used a full length in the center of the culvert and cut/welded two on either side. Cleaned up and getting painted:

Cutting the slots in with a side grinder:

Joists all set:

 

[MotorSeven]

Laying in the decking:

I used the chunk of metal I cut out as a pad for the joist to sit on....they are hollow:

One side is wider than the other...that is for the entry and stairwell. I studied and ponderer how to design this doghouse entryway and keep it waterproof for a long time and was stumped....I phoned a friend. We talked it over and he said, "why not just put a 10x10 portable building on top of it with the stairwell inside the building? ..........Brilliant. Les needs a garden shed on this side of the house anyway...two birds one stone.

 

[MotorSeven]

So now I have to cut out the stairwell door opening, frame in that opening, then use PT lumber to raise it the 2.5-3' up to the surface and eventually through the floor of the building. Instead of buying a building I think I will build a rustic one out of round cedar logs.