I once built a DIY root cellar in my basement where I kept vegetables and some other items that benefitted from being kept cooler, but didn’t need refrigeration. It was one of the first true “prepper” DIY builds I ever attempted, and I was proud of it. (I wonder if the new owners kept and use it?) It was before I ever blogged about prepping, so I don’t have a post or even photos. Darn!
Anyway, these days I’m more interested in refrigeration. And while the video further below is a long one, he shows how he built a walk-in refrigerator using a window air-conditioner and some know-how. You might wonder if it’s overkill, and it probably is for most off-grid needs, but considering that he only needs to power a window A/C, which will require a good amount of power, I like the ingenuity for reasons beyond just food storage.
After all, there’s something to be said for just knowing things. I doubt most people have a clue how air conditioning or refrigeration even work. And if you understand the principles, you can do a lot. Moreover, I can imagine instances where it would be nice to have a really cool area to retreat to if brutal summer heat. Yes, this might get too darn cold, and there are probably better ways to stay cool long-term, but a truly cold retreat when it’s 100+ degrees outside could be welcome.
But, this idea is mostly about food refrigeration. So, even if you don’t build something this large, you could conceivably scale it down. The problem is finding a smaller air conditioner to match the build, though I’d imagine such things exist. Honestly, I don’t see me building anything like this anytime soon, but it’s good to know what’s possible. Enjoy!
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