How to BUILD a CELLAR in MISSISSIPPI ~~Helpful Tips 

Tip to keep jars from "banging together" in the event of a quake: Go to a liquor store and ask them for the cardboard box insets that come in their wine/bottle boxes that keep the bottles separated. They usually have tons.

I realize this is a old video, but you can help yourself by painting the slab bright white to reflect heat, your problem is it works as a heat sink and because of its thermal mass can retain a lot of heat. If you can run your intake pipe deep in the ground futher away from cellar air coming in will have more time for geo cooling to reduce the temperature of the air before it gets to cellar, make sure you have fall on pipe towards cellar so any moisture can drip out of pipe. Good luck from SC.

Awesome information Danny. Maybe putting a picnic table over the top of the cellar with a huge umbrella that you can open to help keep the cement cool. We have to do that out in our back area of the home the cement get's so hot it blisters your feet. This last year we broke down & brought the huge umbrella cost us over 500 bucks but it works.. for most of the area .. Our poor puppies little paws was getting blistered too.. It has worked.. for us. I love how you share what works for you.. Great tips.. Have a great day.. :")

A wonderfully educational video. Love that you speak of the “mistakes” you made when constructing your root cellar. I hope to get a cellar soon.

Those silicone wrist bracelets might work around the jars?

Danny, I was born and raised in southeast Louisiana and also went through Katrina. Things changed in my mind about survival and also things physically changed around me, Louisiana never was the same. I moved here to the Ozarks in 2015 and never looked back.

Maybe you could cover the top with a picnic shelter. That would give you the cooling effect of having a building above it without having it totally enclosed and having that extra weight on top of the cellar.

Would using heavy rubber pond liner over the ceiling with a living roof, have kept the cellar cooler? It's something I've thought about if I were to build one. Or possibly building a pagoda over the pad, to trellis grape vines that could shade and cool the concrete? Ball canning lid info is very helpful. Thanks Danny!

What a project! Thank you for explaining the steps of building so well.

when I built my root cellar into the clay hill side I had cedar logs cut in each side to 8" wide for my wall studs and on the ground 2 deep, and sheeted it with 3/4" treated ply wood. cedar will not root in the ground I put 2 feet of white sand on the clay with 2" foam and plastic between, the roof I cut cedar logs into 8x10" timbers and layer the on top for the roof, and a drain tile around the out side and out the side of the next hill as shown in my videos, I also brought the vent line in under ground from that 2nd hill side to bring air in and a 4" vent out the roof, witch I can also seal off in the even of an bombing, and air tanks. I put 2 layers of rigid 2" foam on the roof and covered the whole root cellar in rubber roofing down to the ground and out 18" and haled sand in to back fill, as red clay don't drain water at all, you can build ponds any were and the water stays. I wanted a sand floor like the old days so I could store things like turnips and other root vegs in the sand with no wax, it stays year round at 36 to 40 deg F, I hang my meat in there for 7 days before cutting up, it is like a walk in cooler, I have 40amp hydro in there, with lights and heaters if ever needed, a PL stove and running water from my presser tank as my drilled well is in the back corner, as well a drain for a sink we don't have and tornados here or earth quakes. or any flooding or bad storms

You need to reduce the air flow when you are bringing hot air into the cellar. When the air is cooler or you are actually occupying the cellar open up the air flow. Also a light sprinkling of water at night will help cool that slab during the hot days. Even better put 2x4s arround the perimeter of the concrete slab, cover it with a sheet of plastic and flood it. The evaporating water will carry away heat.

Could you paint the concrete slab white? Reflect the heat some.

Thank you for sharing your success and trials... It's a learning experience..... I hope it pays off for you all your hard work is not in vain!

I love to watch you and Wanda. You remind me of my dad. You are so right about God's hand being lifted off America. I pray that people will get back on their knees and bring him back. Love you messages and your videos. Keep them up.

Thanks great video I can't wait to start putting my root cellar in only a 10 by 10 in clay....pretty sure we are going with rebar reinforced icf blocks with a lot of drainage stone

What if you bury the slab in 6-10 inches of topsoil and plant grass on it? Would the roof of the cellar be able to support the extra weight?

Good info. Gramma always did her jars of things that she canned for specials with the wax until about 1968. Great Gramma did it too. But they warmed in a "too small gravy pan" that was a gift. (9-11kids =too small for their needs)

That was a nice video. Thank you. I also appreciated the info on your local sand / clay soil. I am not totally sure why it interests me, except that I do have an interest in national geology. I am in south east Tennessee. I did go through Mississippi on my way to New Orleans, & later Grande Isle. So many trees down along the freeways. I had no idea that early on or during the first month they restricted you all from traveling in or out as well. I knew they had done that in New Orleans. This is one of the things about any kind of a disaster that concerns me. People do not realize they won't be allowed to travel & in some cases there will be curfews that will not even allow them to go outside in their own yards. It changed me. The knowledge specifically changed me forever. Maybe I do know why I am interested in the sand composition being predominant. In Tennessee our government has an emergency plan for a possible 6.6 earthquake on the Madrid Fault Line. According to it because of soil compositions, building materials used in these parts of the country, we would lose most infrastructure. They determined it would likely take out the entire eastern seaboard of the United States. They estimate it would take up to 6 years to replace roads, bridges, freeways, train tracks, & the power grid. So, glad I have loved the outdoors all of my life. Am I a homesteader or a prepper? Or just a little of both. But I am for sure a thinker, a researcher, & a planner.

Thanks, Danny. I really learned a lot in this video. Everyone had root cellars where I grew up in Alabama. My grandparents had one similar to yours, but not as large. We only had benches to sit on and the canning goods lined the walls. You don't see them too much anymore.

Educational. Thanks so much.

I can remember watching on television the aftermath of Katrina and how it affected everyone but especially the South. What horrible devastation was left behind. I live in Indiana and our church sent people with supplies and Manpower to Louisiana and Mississippi. They came back with stories that we could only Imagine. So after living through something like that I can see how a project like this would weigh heavy on your heart. Thank you so much for sharing, because I know how something like this can bring back memories. But because of the passion that you and Wanda share for helping others. We as your subscribers can glean from your experiences. I especially like the Nugget on dipping your canning lids and wax. In HIS grip JunkinJodi

Since you've built the"She Shed", on the slab, has the summer temps been reduced in the cellar?

My Uncle dug a full basement under his 3 bedroom brick home, with a shovel and a wheelbarrel! Hardest working man I ever heard of!! You should have seen his garden. Amazing Christian gentleman. Emerald Riggs.

Beautiful cellar. Thank you for sharing. Eventually you may have a building on that slab God willing if you don't already. Great job Danny!

Got my answer here! I can built a root cellar in Pensacola, Florida following your plan. It's sand and red dirt here too. Great advice Danny and the extra info about coating canning lids with wax. Now, I gotta find somebody who can do this for me at a reasonable cost.

When I box up some of my food in jars, I cut up cardboard in strips and put that between rows of jars, and then smaller pieces to cross over the other way.

Maybe painting the concrete slab over the cellar white would help to reflect the heat.. Anyway great video, helpful and to the point as usual. Always a lot of info. in your videos. Thank You!

This was a awesome video. I’m in the Deep South too and lived in St. Bernard Parish during Katrina. I’m now in around Alexandria, LA. You gave me a lot of great ideas. I always wondered if a root cellar would work as good in the Deep South as in the north. Radiant barrier instead of black plastic on the inside walls might help ALOT. I’m not a contractor but my best understanding is that for a radiant barrier to work there needs to be an air gap between the barrier and the outside wall which if the black plastic is removed you’d have that. If I do a root caller it may very well be based on this design.

I hope the code enforcement isn't watching this and going to give you shit about it if you didn't get permits.............This is why I never talk about my properties or what I am doing, not that I do anything that is not code compliant..........

A floor drain is always recommended, just in case. It could be tied into your perimitter french drains, for your dehumidifier, if nothing else. The rest sounds like a great build. And yes, ball recommends not stacking smaller jars. just in case one goes bad, the jar on top would prevent it from popping up the top to show its bad. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

Safety from storms plus food storage?! Yes sir! Someday I’d LOVE to build a cellar too.. Gotta find my forever place first though.. Great information! 😊 Thank you!

Thank you Danny for sharing your root cellar design. Is the door any special type material or design for this cellar??

Thanks Danny, I appreciate the time you take to explain things.

We loved the video. We watched it while drinking coffee before Mike went to work. We have a storm shelter (concrete) that we are going to use for some root vegetable storage. Unfortunately we can't store our canned food jars in there because of space. Hey...we have a hill though lol! You both know we have tornados and earthquakes here in Oklahoma so the need for our safety is 1st. After the greenhouse this year...yep root cellar next. We appreciate ya'll for sharing! Tip for ya...if you receive any packages with bubble wrap you could use it between your jars.

Catching up on this Danny. If you were to do this again, you would know everything better, and you can always use this cellar for something else. But you now have The SHE shed on the top? You still did the job Danny.

I'm thinking about a 16" or even 12" deep root cellar. Concrete walls and floor. Insulated wooden cover. Rat proof. Maybe a shade cover over that. ? Deep enough to store root veg. Potatoes, carrots. ?? Your thoughts. I live in middle of zone 8. Piney Woods. ? // i know it is minimal. ?

Good thing you built it back then, because now, in 2021, you probably couldn’t afford it.

Great tip on waxing jar tops. Great job on your cellar, seems like almost everything we can look back and see how we could have done better. God bless😀

Hello! I worked as a relief worker after Katrina … from Biloxi to Louisiana border. Lived in a interesting state even as a Coordinator! It opened my eyes even more after working Katrina…. But especially w the bureaucracy I fought as I worked to get help to locals. I loved the locals! But was happy to return to South Dakota.

Putting old socks over the jars is absolutely brilliant. I also loved the wax idea. Thanks for the video.

Have you ever tried charring wood to preserve? Shou sugi ban. Japanese thing. Water-proof. Bugs won't touch it. ?

Just paint the cement white to reflect the sunlight back....so it doesn't absorb. Or throw dirt on top of the cement and then plant cover crops to absorb the sunlight. You can just scrape it 0ff when ready to build the building

We live directly west of y’all in Louisiana. I’ve always heard that our water table to only a couple of feet down. So, I assumed you lived more towards northern Mississippi When you said you dug down that far. But y’all are a lot closer to the gulf than we are. Katrina was very terrible. As y’all know we have had worse since. We are on a new to us property (bought from family) & are looking to do a homesteading lifestyle. My first thought was how to preserve what I grow when the lights are out with using a or multiple gas generators. I’ve never liked using them when our lights are out but having to hunt ice just to keep a free things cold is an all day task with the long lines for everything you need to survive the heat when lights are out. But it’s our way of life. So we just keep pushing on & preparing for hurricane season. Thank you for this video. It’s the only one I’ve found for the actual Deep South. 😉😀

I've been waiting to build a cellar, I had a vision back in 1998, and what the Lord me was a design a lot liking to this size and all. Thanks for sharing, Danny.

I'm always amazed at the knowledge you possess 🙂

You guys aren't that far from me. We were without power for about 2 weeks after Katrina. I would love to build a root cellar/storm cellar/bunker...lol.

So informative!

Just subscribed to your channel. Very well explained. Thank you so much Danny! We plan to do something similar starting this spring. Could you please send me a link for the drawings? What do you think about earth bag walls?

Deer brother Danny and Wanda we were right here on Highway 90 just a block from the beach behind Treasure Bay I had a huge huge tree they gave me so much shade on my front porch it was unbelievable it uprooted that and it had to be cut in pieces oh my God agweb. Cried our job was gone but because we were retirees I wish Army my husband was Navy and I'm a retired nurse the grace of God came through and we strapped on their Glock 9 mm and became Federal security guards that's what saved us our house push pull back from the top like a sardine can and that's why we knew we had to have a metal roof being so close to the water had to have it leveled again it took a while because we only had a few code officers and one of them had a heart attack so man you want to talk about hell I can tell you about hell I was working and trying to be on the phone in the daytime to see what could be done I'll never never forget this and I'm a girl from Kentucky and I'm sites and there's are you kidding me I don't take anything for granted mr. Danny I'm growing my stuff everyday every season I don't take anything for granted God bless you and all because you've taught me so much

I had a humidity problem and that is why I had to redo mine. I could not store canned food. It is dry now, BUT, I have a bag of stuff that the Amish use Calcium Carbonate powder 5lbs. They hang it in a cloth bag to absorb the humidity and then you can dry it and hang it again. I also have a small carry battery (a couple of lbs) with lights and fans that work from it. And, solar radio (and a wind up radio).

Love your video on your cellar. Have you thought about covering the cement with plastic and putting dirt and plants and pot s to keep it cooler.! Love y'all

Danny, thank you for the great teaching. God bless you with healing. We esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and not comforted,but He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. I claim that scripture in Isaiah for you, in Jesus name!

Can you go back now and add insulation inside your cellar? I would think it would help your heat situation. God bless y'all.

In the meantime - Paint your concrete slab white to mitigate the heating from the sun

🙏🙏🙏♥️🙂👍thanks for sharing your thoughts

Thank you for the detail on the cellar build--I have had concerns about building one you covered. God bless you! I know you know what is going on.

Just came across your video. I would like to do this. Do you know of any contractors who could do this for a south Mississippi neighbor?

Oh my, thank you so much for sharing, We are wanting to work on this very same issue...thanks again.

Thank you! I hv gleaned so much from your cellar build. Hv a great day!

can use corrugated plastic panels cut into 4"-6"-8" strips to place between your jars so they don't rattle on one another

A great video Danny. Gave me some good ideas and some cautions. Thank You very much. God Bless Joe

Just found this and watched it and I was wondering if there was anything you wish you could change at this time if you had it to do over again.. Thank you

Great video... will be great to see more photos of the building process . Thanks

Extremely helpful information you might not realize it but thank you

In the heat of the summer, can you cap your ventilation pipes to prevent cool air from escaping- as long as you are not spending much time in the cellar?

Great! Gods greatness is in you and yours!

When I ever get to the country, I want a root cellar with the same purposes as yours.

Great idea about waxing canning lids, thank you!💚☘️

The air going into the cellar should be going thru a pipe that’s buried long enough to get thermal cooling before entering.

Thank you Danny. Earthquake proof our jars is a must.

Try painting the slab white or with a special sun reflecting paint

This would make a great booklet to sell in your etsy shop.

Very good suggestions in this video Danny, thank you!

Do you have any pictures of the living areas how you have it sit up?

thanks so much for this video, i have been wanting to build a cellar in a hillside on my new land, this will help

So beautiful! Y'all are an artist D! Great tip about the wax. Are y'all still waxing lids? Thx Blessings, julie

Thank you for sharing your journey on your Root Cellar I will be putting one in here can't say when but I got finish the cabin first and that well be this summer thank you for sharing God bless you

Very cool lots of good info. Thanks for your time.

As alway great video. Thanks

What kind of wax did Ball recommend?

Thanks - Very good info. Could you cover the slab with plastic and put your container pots and maybe shallow raised beds on top till you get ready to build. I've seen great gardening results in big cities built on top of concrete and asphalt. I look forward to all yours and Wanda's videos on all channels. Love and prayers.

Great information, thank you for sharing.

You are an amazing man.

Very helpful thanks Danny

Can you put something like your tractor shelter over that slab? Or plant shallow rooted bushes on the sunny side.

Food for thought, really enjoyed the video. Long term goal of mine and I will build it to code.

That's some SERIOUS construction design brother! Whoowee. Respect! Could you please show video of your current as-is root cellar. 'CAUSE I would really like to see all that massive work completed. It makes sense you did that all, considering the huge storms you all been through. Your children will pass that on for generations I'm sure. Outstanding!

I like the way you build.

Put styrofoam over the concrete.

Thank you for the information

I wish I had seen this video when you first made it (I didn't watch RU-vid back then). I have a wood wall basement in Michigan and the builders did not build in any ventilation. I'm currently running a dehumidifier constantly and a fan to push air up the stairwell but, of course, it is still always too humid down there. Now I know what I need to do for the vent pipes. (Although, in a full basement, I will definitely need a few more than you did.) Thank you again Mr Danny!

I have been wondering about the 'Tattler' lids? Would they hold up better? I was thinking to go with them.

It might be a little expensive, but it might be worthwhile get a insulation company to spray foam your walls and ceiling with 2x8 and 2x12 you would probably get a Rfactor 40 +

You did a great job building your cellar at the time.It will keep you and Wanda safe and fed in a life changing event.I'm listening and learning from you all the time.Thanks,and be well you all.♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡......

How is it holding up today?

Pretty much the same way we do basements in my part of PA. Except pressure treated probably wouldn't work here. Too much clay in our soil. I think once the clay got wet, the load would be too much, even on 12 inch centers. But, I could be wrong. That is a nice cellar for sure. and, I finally got to see what a hurricane clip is ! I've heard of them, but we don't use them around here. Great video!

EXCELLENT! I am just finishing up my tornado shelter which is 8x12' and 8' tall. I have two 'roof' pipes with curved outside pipes with screens. Yes, my pipes are on the front and the back of the shelter and due to the construction, I keep the door open most of the time when had to go there. Mine is a septic tank and has a drain - 2 now - in the floor. You have sand, I was dealing with mud and rock. It needs to be recovered now after the waterproofing is now finished. I need to get the dirt back up there about 4 or 5'. I have the french drains too. I am considering replacing the wood door with a steel one. I am going to put about 3' of roofing over the doorway Wish I had the space you have, but looking for old freezer right now to store food because the critters always seem to have a way to get in there. :-( I do not have electric there, but do have a generator and extension cords. You are a great builder and sure know what you are doing. And, I got some more ideas on how to finish the inside now and defeat any humidity. We have hi humidity in parts of the year here in TN. I am surprised that you need insulation - because ground usually stays around 55 degrees. AWWW, you explained the SOUTH - yes, true.

Prepared for your family...that's good stewardship. Waxing lids is a good idea. We set back a lot of Tattler's also.

I dealt with this after Hurricane Rita, it took me 2 and a halve years rebuilding our home, while we lived in a FEMA trailer.

💝👍👍💝