What we'd also like to know ourselves

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find the answers to various questions we receive about the Groundfridge. If the answer is not there, email info@groundfridge.com.

The most important aspects of how it works and the installation process are also listed on the "how it works" page.

How it works
How do you get the most out of your Groundfridge?

Use

The Groundfridge is typically used for the storage of food products such as fresh produce, wine collections, juices, specialty beers, and certain cheeses.

The Groundfridge also serves as a pantry for basic products like olive oil, pasta, eggs, and canned goods.

Occasionally, we also see the Groundfridge being used for entirely different purposes, such as a camping store or a mini-library.

The internal temperature of the Groundfridge remains approximately the same as the soil temperature at one meter depth. This temperature is lowest in the Northern Hemisphere at the end of winter and highest at the end of summer.

Although local factors such as soil type, groundwater, and hours of sunshine play a role, the temperature in our own Groundfridges in the Netherlands typically ranges between 8°C and 15°C.

Although local factors largely determine the temperature in the Groundfridge, you can partly manage it yourself with proper installation and smart use:

  • Choose shade: Place the Groundfridge (and especially the door) as much out of the sun as possible to limit warming.
  • Use planting: By planting the earth mound, you create shade and cooling through evaporation. This protects the soil from prolonged heat and drought.
  • Smart ventilation: Maximize coolness by ventilating precisely during the coldest moments of the night.

Absolutely! The shade provided by plants and the moisture they retain help to keep the Groundfridge cool.

For inspiration, we have also listed possible plantings for you.

Via the panel on the Groundfridge door, you can set the timing and duration of ventilation. A manual is provided upon delivery for this purpose.

Yes! You can lock the Groundfridge from the outside with a padlock.

Clear characteristics of the Groundfridge

Specifications

The base of the Groundfridge is made of fibreglass-reinforced polyester and stainless steel. These materials are strong, resistant to underground conditions, and easy to repair if ever necessary.

The internal shelves are made of 21mm thick unvarnished birch plywood.

Once the Groundfridge is installed, with the stairs angled upwards, these are the dimensions:

Length: 375cm
Width: 233cm
Height:

For specific measurements, please refer to the drawings on the webshop page.

The complete Groundfridge Original (including cabinet and ventilation) weighs approximately 560kg

Without the cabinet and ventilation, this is: 450kg

The transport weight of a complete Groundfridge including packaging: 600kg

If you put all the soil from the hole back on top of the Groundfridge, a mound will be created with a height of approximately 1.5 meters and a diameter of about 5 meters.

The inner diameter of the Groundfridge is 225cm.

The Groundfridge is principally only available in white (RAL 9002). We make the door in light green (RAL 6021), a colour that blends beautifully into its natural surroundings.

For an additional charge, we can supply the door in a different RAL colour.

For larger projects, customisation of the sphere itself is possible in consultation.

People up to 2.10m can easily stand upright in the Groundfridge. The height above the steps is slightly lower.

Yes. Inside the Groundfridge there is an LED lamp which is activated by movement. This lamp is battery-operated.

We can get it anywhere!

Delivery and installation

The Groundfridge can be delivered by our partners to almost any location in the world.

Within Europe, individual units are delivered by regular trucks. A forklift or crane must be available upon receipt. If this is not possible, we have special solutions available upon request.

Within the Benelux, we also have installation partners who can take all the work off your hands.

Outside Europe, the Groundfridges must be transported by container. Three Groundfridges fit into one 40'HC container.

We always try to keep some Groundfridges in stock so that we can ship within a week at the latest.

If a Groundfridge is not immediately available, it is in production. We can reserve a planned unit after a down payment.

The Groundfridge can either be delivered by one of our partners or picked up.

If desired, we can arrange a transport quote for delivery to almost any location in the world. The shipping costs can be paid directly to the carrier.

All Groundfridges are shipped from our own location in Amsterdam North.

To install the Groundfridge, you need an excavator with a recommended capacity of 8 tons.

The Groundfridge itself is equipped with convenient lifting eyes.

Unloading upon delivery can be done with either an excavator or a forklift.

We advise placing the Groundfridge in a thin layer of white sand. For this, you typically need about 1 to 2 cubic meters.

After installation, you should normally be able to use all the excavated soil to cover the Groundfridge.

Length: 370cm
Height: 260cm
Width: 233cm

Weight: 550kg

No. The Groundfridge's ventilation is powered by a battery that is recharged daily by the included solar panel.

The LED light inside the Groundfridge is battery-operated.

Good news: a permit is probably not needed. To be sure, we advise you to check this with your local council.

As we deliver almost worldwide, it is the buyer's responsibility to find out in good time whether local permits are required and to arrange them themselves.

The hole in the ground should be about 185cm deep in the center. From that central point, dig out a circle of approximately 250cm in diameter, plus space for the stair tunnel.

Typically, you will need to excavate to about 200cm and then fill it with a thin layer of white sand.

Yes, three Groundfridges fit in one 40'HC container. Please note! They do not fit in a standard lower container.

In locations with very high groundwater levels, you must take extra measures to prevent the Groundfridge from floating on the groundwater and pushing itself out of the ground.

You can do this by placing standard concrete slabs under the Groundfridge and connecting them to the Groundfridge's lifting eyes with stainless steel cables. Be sure to place a layer of white sand between the concrete slab and the Groundfridge.

Sales & Marketing

Collaboration

Do you think you can support potential users of the Groundfridge in the best possible way?

Please feel free to contact us at info@groundfridge.com and share both your plans and current business activities. The Groundfridge is available almost worldwide, so requests from all over the world are welcome.

Certainly! We are happy that many media outlets like to write about us. Do you have a special request? Let us know via info@groundfridge.com.

We are happy to exhibit our Groundfridge at locations where potential users gather. So feel free to share information about the exhibition, trade fair, or event.

Depending on the location and our availability, we will decide whether to participate.

What if!

Support

Yes, indeed! If the Groundfridge is damaged for any reason, the fiberglass reinforced polyester is easy to repair.

You can always email us at info@groundfridge.com. If you purchased the Groundfridge from a local dealer, please contact them first if possible.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter. In it, we regularly share useful tips or you can read about the experiences of other users.

Support