A simple technique for creating a non-electric deep freeze

Hi. (I don't often frequent this forum.)

It struck me quite by chance during a totally unrelated discussion (History truncated by mammoth apparently killed by humans) that something which came to mind there might well be of use to survival specialists. Here's my story:

Food was placed in a square hole about four foot deep, and preserved thereafter by the winter frost, straw having been placed over the food items — with a layer of soil on top. As a matter of fact it was actually described to me as a freezer.

As it happens I believe it was mainly vegetables that were stored in this way. (Obviously the context was a climate with harsh winters.)

As an aside: fruit and berries were used to create vitamin-filled drinks for the winter, having been boiled with copious amounts of sugar, and vacuum-sealed in glass jars, with a generous helping of fresh fruit/berries left floating in the top. (Clearly before the modern era they must have had another way of sealing their containers, though.)

Meat was preserved by simply rolling it in a tub of salt several times, and leaving it in a blacked-out cool room underneath the dwelling, though I'm certain that technique is nothing new to survival experts.

Anyways, I hope the simple idea for a deep freeze might be of interest.

The method the American pioneers used to store fruits and vegetables was... fruitcake!

Fruitcake contains less water than canned goods, and so is portable. It is make with loads of rum and sugar which keeps the fruit preserved.

The native american method was making pemmican, since they had no sugar and not even honey, was to make it with dried, granulated meat mixed with animal fat and let the cooling lard seal the contents into a rawhide pouch. Analogous in some ways to Scottish haggis (but not the wild "clockwise" haggis) or the old method of making sausage with gut casing.

Of course, you have to be in a cold climate (and season) to do it this way.

reply to post by Gazrok


Indeed. But it's worth bearing in mind that once electricity goes the need is for something that will preserve what has been harvested towards the end of the year for the winter and/or the following spring. We can all-too-easily forget about that basic natural cycle in this day & age. The significance of such primitive technologies is that they allow people to have access to a balanced, vitamin-filled diet when nothing will grow.

You know, now that I think back more carefully I believe this was used as a fridge, not a freezer. (It was a very long time ago.) Cabbages were one of the main contents preserved & now that I think about it I don't suppose you'd want to freeze them.

While the soil covering the hole was expected to freeze to a depth of, say, 6 inches plus, the effect on the produce was, I now believe one of simple preservation. In warmer zones perhaps there would still be some benefit, but it would take some experimentation to discover how far south it would remain a useful technique.

Would any posters perhaps be willing to risk a cabbage for the greater good (or even just for their own good)?

Boild fruit and suger is hot.
so if you put it in a jar and put the lid on it.
shake. then let the air out.
as it cools it makes a vacume.
would that be ok?

Well if you could make an air pump (compressor) powered by water or wind then you could use vortex cooling. All you need is an air supply and one of these

This story takes place 100 years ago. I recently read about a woman who joined her husband at his mine in the desert. She felt happy that her clever husband rigged up a refrigerator (icebox) for her. He built a wooden frame with shelves, and layered burlap bags over it all. Keeping the bags wet kept cool (by evaporation) whatever she placed inside.

Here's the modern day equivalent.

Speaking of cooling, I ran across either this or a similar idea a couple years ago. Was to be used in places (like India) where people with limited energy sources could still enjoy cooler habitat.

solar blinds

reply to post by pause4thought


In warmer climates, there is still a natural fridge...spring water.

When we go camping, one of our most essential pieces of equipment is a nylon ball sack on a rope. Throw some beers in there, some waterproof containers holding coldcuts and cheese, and lower it in the spring-fed river. Instant nature fridge!

Richard Preonekke also practised this technique in Alaska. He/his family has a video out which is fascinating and beautifully done about his life off the grid.