It can be difficult to store vegetables during the winter, particularly if you live in a small apartment. One excellent way to keep your produce fresh without having to worry about freezing temperatures is to use a thermal cabinet on your balcony.
It can be challenging to decide which thermal cabinet best suits your needs when there are so many options available. While some models have extra features like adjustable shelves or humidity control, others are made to keep consistent temperatures even in harsh weather.
We’ll walk you through the key elements to take into account when selecting a thermal cabinet for storing vegetables in this article. You’ll find the ideal match here, regardless of how big or small your balcony is or whether you need something more durable for long-term storage.
- What is a household thermal cabinet
- How to choose a thermal cellar
- The most famous models
- Creating a thermal box with your own hands
- Assembling a vegetable thermal container
- Video on the topic
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What is a household thermal cabinet
A wall-mounted or floor-standing thermal container designed to organize the storage of agricultural products is called a household thermal cabinet. In 2001, this kind of patio furniture was formally put into production and granted a patent. By Andrey Semenovich Novikov and Nikolai Ivanovich Berezhny. In 1998, the notion of creating a device that would enable people to preserve different fruits, vegetables, and preserves at home without running out of food first surfaced.
Russia was still going through the challenging post-perestroika years at the time. Since people could only survive on agricultural products and their own production, the population actually needed an additional cabinet in the form of a cellar. This was particularly true for the nation’s more isolated regions. Such an invention also has the added benefit of maximizing space savings because the floor can be unloaded thanks to its elongated hanging structure.
The economy has stabilized a little bit these days, but with people becoming more interested in gardening, the thermal cabinet is still useful and a great option for many private farm owners.
How to choose a thermal cellar
Produced by our countrymen, a hanging container (thermal cabinet, thermal cellar, or thermal box, with a thermostat) can be utilized in cold rooms to store fruits and vegetables during the growing season. Fit for keeping:
- root vegetables,
- greens,
- canned vegetables,
- pickled vegetables,
- individual large fruit vegetables, etc.
The necessary temperature is kept constant with the use of an electric heater. It is dispersed throughout the box’s entire structure. There is a gap in the body’s thermal insulation that allows oxygen to enter the hanging container.
Household thermal cabinets for balconies can vary greatly in terms of shape, color, and functionality. Additionally, a wide range of contemporary manufacturers provide thermal containers with various technical features. Based on them, you can select a hanging mini-cellar that matches the other pieces in the room in terms of tone and shape, as well as color and taste, room size, and, if needed, harmony.
This thermal container has a special sensor and thermostat to control and monitor the temperature inside. Russia is the primary producer of thermal cabinets that hang from balconies and are used to store agricultural products. Even in very cold air temperatures, such thermal cabinets allow the necessary climate to be maintained inside for storage.
Consider important aspects like available space, temperature control, and insulation quality when selecting a thermal cabinet for your balcony vegetable storage. Vegetables will remain fresher for longer if you have a good thermal cabinet that can keep a consistent temperature even in harsh weather. Seek for versions that can withstand outdoor conditions, have adjustable shelves, and are made of energy-efficient materials. Make sure the size won’t overcrowd the balcony while meeting your storage needs.
The most famous models
Numerous models and their variations exist. We’ll discuss the most prevalent.
The TBPZ-140 is a winter thermal cabinet model. It measures 60 by 50 by 80 centimeters. It possesses the following qualities:
- saves products with an outdoor temperature in the range from -35 to +5 C.
- temperature regulation inside the wall-mounted thermal cabinet fluctuates from 2 C to 10 C.
- it is used seasonally, in frosty weather, since it works exclusively for heating.
- winter models of the thermal cabinet come in various capacities: 105, 145, 185, 245, 300 and 365 liters.
Model TBPK-240 is a year-round thermal cabinet. This model is distinguished by:
- temperature regulation inside the cabinet, which can vary from 2C to 10,
- independence from the season, as it has a heating mode and a freezing mode (refrigerator);
- work at -30 C and up to +35 C;
- dimensions 1000×500×850 mm.
Year-round thermal cabinets have capacities of 145, 185, 305, and 245 liters.
Dimensions: 12085 x 50 cm; manufacturer: "Prediktor" (g. Novosibirsk); year-round vertical thermal cabinet. The following characteristics of this thermal cabinet:
This collapsible thermal cabinet with forced ventilation is made by "Metles" (Moscow). It possesses the following qualities:
- dimensions 79×75×41 cm;
- due to forced ventilation, it ensures uniform distribution of temperature and air inside the thermal cabinet;
- automatic stabilizes temperature indicators at a level of +2 — +9 degrees at atmospheric temperatures down to -39 C.
The manufacturer of the thermal cabinets in question makes models with a detachable, movable partition. Thermal cabinets have a volume capacity of 147, 150, or 174 liters.
Model Pogrebok-200, a hanging vegetable balcony cabinet from "Metles" (g. Moscow). The features of the model are as follows:
- forced airflow;
- dimensions 82.5×78×40 cm;
- automation stabilizes internal indicators at a temperature level of +2 to +9 (at atmospheric data -39C).
The manufacturer’s "Pogrebok-200" model has been modified to include a removable movable partition that can be used to section off the thermal cabinet’s space.
The dimensions and time of year that box thermal cabinets are used determine their price range. Thus, there are winter and year-round models. As a result, the features of these home thermal cellars will vary.
Creating a thermal box with your own hands
There are a few things to consider when building a thermal cabinet by hand. Excellent tools and materials are required. What must be ready:
- box body. It can be made of plywood, boards or chipboard.
- insulation – this is foil-coated polyethylene foam or polystyrene foam, which are laid in several layers;
- additional insulation, which provides an air gap between the inner box and the insulation;
- a box with ventilation holes for vegetables;
- an insulated safe heater between the bottom of the case and the inner box.
The purpose of this handmade cellar on the balcony is primarily to store potatoes and other root vegetables. The ideal temperature range for storing them is between +3 and +7 degrees, which is not possible to attain in the Russian winter on an unheated balcony without additional heating for the storage. For this reason, a moderately powerful heater has been installed.
Installing a cellar is not difficult at all, and if you have the materials and tools needed for its construction at home, it can be done in a single day. The technology is user-friendly and readily available online.
Assembling a vegetable thermal container
Now that you have all the parts ready, you can begin assembling. It is completed in multiple phases. The following is the algorithm:
The thermal cabinet assembly process comes to an end here. You can only change it now for particular situations and requirements.
| Thermal Cabinet Model | Features |
| Basic Insulated Cabinet | Simple design, keeps vegetables fresh in mild winter temperatures, affordable option. |
| Advanced Heated Cabinet | Built-in heater for colder climates, adjustable temperature settings, energy-efficient. |
| Compact Cabinet | Smaller size, ideal for limited space, provides basic insulation, easy to install. |
| Multi-Compartment Cabinet | Multiple sections for different types of vegetables, customizable temperature control, great for large storage needs. |
Depending on your unique requirements and the layout of your balcony, you can choose the ideal thermal cabinet for storing veggies. A well-insulated model with heating elements will keep your produce fresh even in subfreezing temperatures if you live somewhere with harsh winters. A more straightforward, insulated cabinet might be adequate in milder climates.
Take note of the thermal cabinet’s dimensions and layout. It should be small enough to fit on your balcony without taking up too much room, leaving enough room for your veggies. Features that help you maintain the quality of your produce include temperature control and movable shelves.
While keeping an eye on your budget, remember that a better-quality thermal cabinet might provide longer-lasting performance, better insulation, and more robust materials. No matter the season, you can find a cabinet on your balcony that helps you store vegetables with a little bit of research.
