Cellar Rework

[Saffy Taffy]

If cellars are more insulated, it should be able to block out the outside climate completely

In my save I have 2 cellars:
my first is only 1 block underground, wooden roof, single door, single block thick walls, and at it's worst is 0.3x spoilage rate
my second is 7 blocks underground, stone everything, 2 "airlocks" (having to use 3 doors) to get in, thick walls, but at it's worst still has 0.3x spoilage rate

I have a hard time believing the warmth of day vs night would affect the second cellar as much as the first, or even at all, and it would be nice if it could take into account how thick the walls, floor, and roof are of the required insulating blocks, and maybe how many doors it took to reach the outside, so you could have 0.1x all year round or even better for putting that much more effort into a cellar

It would also make more sense (unless this is no longer true, but it says so on the wiki) the suggested cellar size is 7x7x7, which is a 343 block volume. But any other shape is limited to a 150 block volume, should the limit not be the same?

my suggestion:
- make cellars take into account how many insulating blocks are around it, especially above
I'm not the most knowledgeable with code, but if the check system could first check if the room is a cellar, then made a box around the room, 3 blocks larger in every direction, and counted any blocks that were insulating such as stone dirt, and sealed doors, but also included air blocks if they were in a room considered a cellar (to include having some kind of "airlock", and include the cellar itself). Then the ratio of insulating blocks and cellar room vs non insulating blocks and outside air (say 390/450) can be converted into a percentage (86.67%) and this can be how much of the outside temperature is blocked out (possibly with an optional minimum for if the room passes a cellar check but doesn't have many insulating blocks)

- increase the volume limit to 345 to match the suggested 7x7x7 cellar size
This allows more cellars of different sizes to be made, I find myself never needing a room to be 7 blocks tall

This would encourage cellars to be either deeper underground, have thicker insulating walls and "airlocks", or stay in cold areas for better food preservation in all seasons

Note: sorry if this or similar has been suggested, I didn't see anything anywhere, but the cellars interest me a lot, and i was very disappointed that my late game cellar I put a lot of effort into was no better than the quick early game one I made.

Edited September 1, 2025 by Saffy Taffy

[Facethief]

I think the issue you’re facing with your cellar is that you have too many doors. Doors don’t count as insulating blocks for cellars; you should have as few entrances as possible, ideally no actual doors, and the cellar should be built from dirt or stone; wood has a lower insulation value. Also, I don’t think there’s a debuff for altitude; a cellar on a mountaintop might even be better than one elsewhere, as there’s a spoilage benefit from low temperatures too.

[Saffy Taffy]

Sorry if it wasn't clear, my cellar itself only has a single door to exit or leave, but you also have to go through 2 more doors to get outside, it is also entirely stone
I haven't experienced the altitude debuff personally, it was brought up to me when i initially posted my suggestion on discord and i thought i should include it if it is a thing

[Facethief]

Ah, I see. Having checked the wiki, there is definitely no effect on the cellar due to altitude aside from the effect from the outside temperature.

[CastIronFabric]

I am a fan of the double insulation affect. I am not a fan of making mechanics that favor underground cellars, despite the fact that I almost exclusively use underground cellars.

Why? The same reason I am not a fan of lighting strikes affecting grass tiles, it seriously impedes my design choices. Yes..I play this game for the sims and doll house affects, thank you.

 

 

[Saffy Taffy]

9 hours ago, CastIronFabric said:

I am a fan of the double insulation affect. I am not a fan of making mechanics that favor underground cellars, despite the fact that I almost exclusively use underground cellars.

Why? The same reason I am not a fan of lighting strikes affecting grass tiles, it seriously impedes my design choices. Yes..I play this game for the sims and doll house affects, thank you.

 

 

That's why I mentioned having a minimum, it could be a world option maybe, but then any cellar that is considered a cellar, above ground or below is just as good as they are currently, but if you put in the extra effort, the cellar can still be better

12 hours ago, Facethief said:

Ah, I see. Having checked the wiki, there is definitely no effect on the cellar due to altitude aside from the effect from the outside temperature.

I'll remove it from my post then

Edited September 1, 2025 by Saffy Taffy