How to Build a Walk in Meat Cooler

This article will teach a person how to make a walk-in cooler for storage of meat, and other perishable food items. It will take a little handy man work. However it is a very achievable and rewarding do it your self home improvement project. The first thing you will need to do is decide how big your walk-in cooler will need to be for your storage needs. You will need to cool the room to 4 degrees C, or 40 degrees F. To do this you can use a large wall mounted A/C unit of at least 18,000 BTUs. The size of your walk-in cooler should not exceed 7' x 7' x 7'.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2x4 Wood.
• 2" polystyrene insulation board.
• 1/4 in Particle board.
• R-30 Fiberglass Insulation.
• Entry door of choice solid wood.
• Vinyl wall board.
• Staples.
• Wood screws.
• Liquid Nails.
• Programmable Plug In Thermostat.
• 15 AMP single breaker.
• Weather stripping.
• A/C unit 18,000 BTU.
• 3/4in Plywood.
• Vinyl flooring.
• cold weather caulk.
• Weather Proof electrical box.

1. Now you need to build a frame with the 2x4's measuring 8x8x8, with you're door of choice put into the frame, and a hole framed out with 2x4s the size of your A/C unit. Be sure to put the 2x4's 2' apart from one another. Build a floor frame, use particle board to separate the ground from the frame, this will lift your walk-in cooler off the floor. Add a ceiling frame also, all of which will have the 2x4's spaced 2' apart. Finally install the door of your choice.

2. Run electrical wire and put a weather proof plug-in just above the framed hole for the A/C unit. This will need to run directly to your electoral breaker box and have it's own breaker for safety reasons.

3. Next you will need to put the outside walls up with the particle board, and wood screws. Be sure to put the very top of the ceiling up with particle board also. You should now have a particle board box that measures 8x8x8.

4. Add the insulation in between the 2x4's. Use a staple gun to staple it to the 2x4. Be sure to add insulation to the walls, ceiling, and floor.

5. Put up the particle board on all walls and ceiling using wood screws. Use the 3/4 inch plywood on the floor using the wood screws.

6. Put down the vinyl flooring.

7. Use the liquid nail and glue the insulation board to all the walls and ceiling not leaving any gaps. Then caulk any gaps where the insulation board meets.

8. Use the liquid nail and glue the Vinyl wall board to all walls inside and outside. This will give you the look of a walk-in cooler and you will be able to mop all the walls and floor to keep it clean.

9. Finally you need to install the wall unit A/C and caulk around the unit. Also, add the programmable plug in thermostat and set it to 39 degrees and 41 degrees. Add meat, food, and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Use line chalk on your plywood and particle board place it 2' apart to see where wood screws need to go.
• Be sure to set all wood screws until the head is pitted into the wood.
• Use the liquid nail in a liberal amount.
• Use flooring glue to put down the vinyl flooring.
• Be sure to turn down A/C unit temp to coldest, or even disable the control.
• Measure twice, and cut once.
• Wear long sleeves, gloves, and a ventilation mask during the insulation installation.
• Always turn off all electoral breakers in walk-in until finished.
• If you do not have experience with electrical work do not attempt it.
• Be sure to check tempter manually three times a day for the first week to ensure proper function.
• Check tempter daily after first week.
• Clean with bleach solution to sterilize before usage.

Resources

• Cool Boot
• Programmable plug in thermostat

[edieness]

on 6/10/2009 Great tips on How to Build a Walk in Meat Cooler.5*