Before electricity, everyone stored food on ice. The Amish still do.
Harvesting
January-February, when pond ice is 25–30 cm thick. Mark a grid, saw with a hand ice saw into 50×50 cm blocks. Pull out with tongs. Load on sleds. Hard work — one block weighs 30–50 kg.
Icehouse
Wooden shed with thick walls. Floor — drainage (gravel). Blocks stacked in layers, covered with sawdust (insulation). Sawdust is key: it insulates ice from heat and absorbs meltwater.
How Long It Lasts
With proper insulation, ice holds until September-October. 10–20 tons of ice per family per season. By late summer volume decreases 50–70%, but enough remains.
Use
Icebox: wooden cabinet with ice compartment on top. Cold air sinks to where food is stored below. Temperature 3–7°C — like a fridge. Change ice every 2–3 days.