Anyone know much about creating a cold cellar?

[castle]

I've got a small backyard, and unfortunately no cold cellar in the basement, anyone know how to make one either in the backyard, or can a hole be made into the foundation of my house, to build a cellar in the basement, or would that compromise the foundation of the house?

thanks!

[ghostcat]

I've got a small backyard, and unfortunately no cold cellar in the basement, anyone know how to make one either in the backyard, or can a hole be made into the foundation of my house, to build a cellar in the basement, or would that compromise the foundation of the house?
thanks!
Try some of these
http://www.motherearthnews.com/modern-homesteading/building-a-root-cellar.aspx
http://www.cps.gov.on.ca/english/plans/E6000/6321/6321P.pdf
http://www.saveourskills.com/4-simple-root-cellar-ideas
http://www.ehow.com/how_6383653_build-root-cellar.html

I would not recommend punching through your foundation unless you are positive that it won't cause serious problems for you in the future. Holes in foundations can cause some serious problems with water, depending on your water table, amount of annual rainfall, and runoff patterns for your house and property. Basement floods can really be a headache!

[thomasusa]

I've got a small backyard, and unfortunately no cold cellar in the basement, anyone know how to make one either in the backyard, or can a hole be made into the foundation of my house, to build a cellar in the basement, or would that compromise the foundation of the house?

No one here can tell you if you are about to compromise a foundation without much more information about your foundation.
Inspection by a qualified structural engineer is advised.
(That is my legal disclaimer)

I have a friend who did what you describe.
He cut a hole in the reinforced concrete foundation and poured a concrete box.

If you do it, figure out two things ahead of time:
1.) how to control moisture leaking in from rain etc.
2.) provide shade for the concrete cap to prevent summer heat.

[Rand]

Castle, I have built a few storage rooms in the back of my basement. I insulated walls, and designed it so that I have at least two concrete walls that are underground as a cold insulation. They usually stay from 58 to 70 degrees year around.
I just built a root cellar. It is all concrete. I haven't finished it yet, but am working on it. I agree with Thomas, please be careful. Leakage is a huge problem. I placed dirt over the roof of the root cellar for insulation value. I will see how cool it is this summer. I am having a hard time, even with a lot of effort to keep it dry, but root cellars are suppose to be moist to a degree, so we shall see. Good luck.