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| Author | Message | 
| Fusil62 Member
 | # Posted: 11 Feb 2014 01:58pm Reply
 
 Looking at alternatives to refridgeration.  At Grand Portage National Monument there is a dry well located in the kitchen storage area that was used to keep things cool
 
 What we are looking to build would face south, using dry stack construction.  In the northern portion I would have an area set aside to store canned goods, etc.  What we are thinking is to have an 8ft deep, 6ft dia drywell.  This would be constructed much like a brick cistern.
 
 Location is NE MN.  Looking for your thoughts.
 
 
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| MtnDon Member
 | # Posted: 11 Feb 2014 02:29pm Reply
 
 I believe most locations will have an earth temperature of 50 - 55 F at 5 to 6 foot depths. That would be not cool enough for food safety.
 
 
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| bldginsp Member
 | # Posted: 11 Feb 2014 05:54pm Reply
 
 One thing I learned on this site is that if you store canned goods where they can freeze, the seal can be broken by freezing then the food spoils. But, if the canned goods were in the cool pit, it might not freeze.
 
  
 
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| RichInTheUSA Member
 | # Posted: 11 Feb 2014 06:14pm Reply
 
 do you have a spring on the property?   if so, consider building a spring house as an alternative.
 
 
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| turkeyhunter Member
 | # Posted: 12 Feb 2014 10:52am - Edited by: turkeyhunter Reply
 
 I have several YETI coolers http://www.yeticoolers.com/  ....I put food/beverages in them with ice lasts forever . On some of my camping trips/hunting trips...ice last 10 days or more.
 
 
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| Fusil62 Member
 | # Posted: 12 Feb 2014 12:24pm Reply
 
 Alas, we have no spring.  There are only 2 seasonal trickles.  We have a pelican cooler and like the yeti is great.  We are primarily looking to have a place to keep garden stock, much like afoot cellar.
 
 
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| SFCLYNCH Member
 | # Posted: 12 Feb 2014 07:19pm Reply
 
 Right here, you can only use for two days every ten years here in SC.
 
 
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| turkeyhunter Member
 | # Posted: 12 Feb 2014 09:00pm Reply
 
 
 Quoting: SFCLYNCH Right here, you can only use for two days every ten years here in SC
 nice cooler
  .....we have the same kind for a few days...LOL 
 
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| Cuzzinit Member
 | # Posted: 19 Feb 2014 05:47pm Reply
 
 what i did was put a cooler in a hole, and cover during the day when it was warm and uncover and take the water jugs out to refreeze.  Things would get put between screen door and the inner door or on window sills. During the summer i would get ice if needed. i eat fresh, so what i needed to keep cold was minimal. some of my friends got Servel propane fridges... they last forever
 
 
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