We regularly try to discuss with Groundfridge users how they like using it. This time we spoke with Walter in Voorst. They are establishing a food forest on their property. Since early 2025, they have been using the Groundfridge as natural cooling. A conversation about conscious choices, the practice of harvesting, and the value of natural coolness.
"The Groundfridge fits perfectly with a food forest."
You've had the Groundfridge in your garden for almost a year now. What was your main motivation for purchasing it?
The main reason is its combination with the food forest we are establishing. We didn't have a logical place for its produce. Also, the layout of our house played a role: there's no cellar or other cool space. The Groundfridge solves that logistical problem in a very natural way.
How did you experience the start-up phase and the first year of use?
The concept simply works very well in practice; the space consistently stays beautifully cool. To be fair, we did encounter a few technical start-up problems after delivery. The Groundfridge's fan wasn't working, and after a few months, the seams turned out to be leaking. That was quickly and expertly repaired, and since then, everything has been functioning perfectly. It has become a reliable part of our household.
If we take a look inside: what do you currently store in the cellar?
Our stock is diverse; currently, there are mainly many preserves, oat milk, kombucha, and a selection of craft beer and wine. Of course, we keep our daily, immediate supplies in the kitchen, but the larger resting stock is here. We do keep a list of exactly what is in the Groundfridge so that we maintain an overview, prevent waste, and don't have to constantly go outside to see what's in there.
Do you notice that seasonal changes significantly influence the indoor temperature and how the cellar performs?
The Groundfridge has now been operating for a full annual cycle and performs surprisingly stable even in the warmer summer months, although we understand that the temperature rises slightly during long warm periods. It remains significantly cooler than above ground. Drinks and wines stay perfectly at our desired temperature. Should warm air enter when opening it, we notice that the space cools down to the base temperature in no time.
Do you take any specific actions yourself to further regulate the indoor climate?
We don't have to do anything; the system regulates itself completely via ground cooling and ventilation. However, we are considering installing a thermometer and hygrometer and linking them to Home Assistant so that we can accurately monitor the progression of the indoor climate. We expect this to help us learn how the cellar behaves over the years, also in relation to the seasons.
