Build an underground refrigerator yourself: construction & instructions

An underground refrigerator is an effective alternative to cooling food in the garden at 7 to 10 ° C. This article gives you all the information and detailed instructions on how to set it up.

material

Before you start implementing your own underground refrigerator, you need the right material. Most often, the refrigerators are used to store and cool bottles, which means that the following dimensions are perfectly adequate:

• Diameter: 20 to 25 cm
• Length: 100 to 120 cm

In this article, the dimensions mentioned are used for the project. The following list will tell you exactly what you need for the implementation:

• 1 x plastic tube 20 to 25 cm x 100 to 120 cm
• 1 x plastic tube 15 to 20 cm x 100 to 120 cm
• 1 x socket plug with a diameter of 20 to 25 cm (depending on the pipe)
• 1 x socket plug with a diameter of 15 to 20 cm (depending on the pipe)
• 1 x threaded rod 1 to 1.5 cm x 100 to 120 cm
• 1 x wooden plate with a thickness of 2.5 cm
• 8 x nuts for threaded rod
• 4 x washers

The tube with the larger diameter is the outer tube of the refrigerator and does not need to be machined. The wooden plate should be big enough that you can saw out three wooden discs the same diameter as the inner tube and a wooden handle.

Note: If you need more space, you can expand the diameter of the pipes and wooden discs. This makes it easy to adjust the size of the underground refrigerator.

tool

In addition to the materials for the implementation of the underground refrigerator, you of course need the right tools. They are used to build the refrigerator and dig the hole. The following list gives you an overview of the tools you will need for the project:

• Saw of your choice (ideally jigsaw or hacksaw)
• Circle
• Felt pen (suitable for plastic surfaces)
• Wood drill bit with the diameter of the threaded rod (e.g. B. 10 mm)
• Drill or cordless drill
• Angle grinder
• Sandpaper (grit 150 to 240)
• Earth auger with the same diameter as the outer tube (20 to 25 cm)

Tip: You can rent auger from hardware stores or specialist dealers. Depending on the type of drive (manual or electric drive), you have to reckon with prices of 10 to 40 euros per day.

Structure: Instructions

Once all the materials and tools are ready, the construction of the underground refrigerator can begin. The following instructions explain the structure of the refrigerator, while the bottom is explained below:

• Draw 3 circles for the wooden discs on the wooden board
• use compasses for this
• Diameter slightly smaller than the inner tube
• saw out
• Use a wood drill to drill a hole in the middle of the discs
• Attach washers to the threaded rod
• 1. Attach the rod 5 cm above the end
• then at a distance of 30 cm
• fix each washer with nuts and a washer
• saw a simple handle out of wooden board
• The length corresponds to the inner tube diameter
• Drill a hole in the center of the handle
• Fix the handle with screws at the top of the threaded rod
• Paint 3 x rectangles on the outside of the inner tube
• top down
• Dimensions: 25 cm x 10 cm
• Distance between windows is 15 cm
• Cut out with an angle grinder
• Work off the interfaces thoroughly with sandpaper
• Place the threaded rod with the wooden washers in the inner tube
• Place a suitable socket plug on the opening below to close the pipe
• makes it easier to use the refrigerator
• can now be filled

Select location

In addition to the actual construction, it is essential to choose the right location and prepare it for the underground refrigerator. The right place has a significant effect on the cooling capacity of the underground refrigerator and should therefore be as close as possible. The space for the refrigerator should have the following properties:

• shady
• free of roots and stones
• no strong-growing plants in the immediate vicinity

Let into the ground

Last but not least, all you have to do is sink the earth refrigerator into the ground. Sufficient muscle strength and the right tools are required for this step. For this you need the earth auger. With this, the necessary hole can be perfectly excavated. You can't do that with a spade or shovel. Once you have chosen a place for the underground refrigerator, follow these instructions:

• Remove weeds and sward
• Earth auger apply and apply
• hold stable and straight
• Dispose of excavated earth or continue to use it
• Place the matching socket plug at the lower end on the outer pipe
• Put the outer tube in the hole
• Fill the underground refrigerator
• insert in outer tube

Note: If you have heavy soil in the garden, it is best to put the refrigerator in the soil in autumn. Heavy soils get very hard over the summer months, making it difficult to dig that deep.

frequently asked Questions