That is the good part of the red bricks in the second cellar, they can and do absorb moisture and give it up again to maintain a certain level of moisture, Potatoes and onions last about 3-4 months. Apples and pumpkins up to 5 months. Never had smoked sausages or such go bad at all. The first cellar is concrete and with the window, I can control the temps in summer closed and winter open at around 35°-40°. Milk stays 5 months, margarine, mayo, mustard, ketchup, flour, yeast, baking powder, noodles, flour, rice, beans, coffee, jelly, peanut butter, worchester sauce, soy sauce, all last over 2 and some even 3 years after the date on the packages and jars. GP