Cold pantries and the north wall

In short

• A north-facing cold pantry runs roughly 3–8 °C in a British or Irish winter (0–4 °C only in cold spells), 0–6 °C in a Canadian or northern US winter, and 14–20 °C in summer. In winter it can be a fridge; in summer it is not.
• Insulate the wall to the house (8–10 cm, 3–4 in), and protect it from the sun with shade, a pale colour and ceiling insulation.
• Ventilation: cold-air inlet low on the north side, outlet high. Open at night, closed by day.
• Put fly and mouse mesh over the vents. No poison in a pantry with food.
• Meat, milk and leftovers stay in the pantry only while the min/max thermometer reads 4 °C or less, by day too.
• Never a boiler, water heater or stove next to the pantry. They bring heat, and a stove brings CO.

What's inside

Chapters

1. How cold a pantry can get
2. Choosing the site
3. Insulation from the house and the sun
4. Ventilation: night air works for you
5. A cold cupboard on the north wall
6. A window or balcony box
7. Shade, planting and colour
8. Fitting out: shelves, containers and order
9. The pantry through the year: what can go in when
10. Safety in the pantry
11. Common mistakes
12. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Materials calculator
• Shelving calculator
• Pantry temperature through the year
• Pantry sketch
• Shelf plan
• A year of the cold pantry