Zeer Pots

I was watching Good Eats last night, and he made reference to a technology wherein water could be kept cool at room temperature with no fridge.

I was really curious about this, and so I did some research.

Apparently, it is something called a zeer pot. It is a technology that was recently revived and is totally transforming the African continent. This device makes it possible for food and water to be kept at 15 degrees Celsius with no electricity.

Apparently, you put one pot inside another pot and then fill the area between them with sand. After you have done that, you pour water in until the sand is totally saturated with water. Then, you put a wet cloth over the top of the two pots. The interior of the first pot will stay cool with no more help. The water does need to be refilled where the sand is, but the water doesn't even have to be clean.

I think that this is a fabulous idea for garderner or farmers in this area. Think of being able to keep your produce cool AT THE MARKET STAND. I also like the idea of being able to keep this outside near a backyard garden.

These cost less than $2 to make for the people in Africa, and it is making the life span of food increase exponentially. Way to use science to improve our lives.

I will be building one to house produce this summer if it becomes necessary.

Here are some links to articles with more information:

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pot-in-a-Pot-Refrigerator
http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2004/september/refrigeration.htm
http://permaculturetokyo.blogspot.com/2006/11/passive-cooling.html
http://www.scidev.net/features/index.cfm?fuseaction=printarticle&itemid=315&language=1