I love this idea. Okay before you get too excited this type of refrigerator will not freeze your goods. However, it has been proven to be very effective in keeping food, drinks and produce cooler especially in dry desert like areas. It will still work in climates that are humid and damp, just not as well in drier conditions like you have in Africa or in southern desert United States.
How does a zeer pot work? It uses evaporative cooling process where the moisture in the sand surrounding the inner pot evaporates and this ultimately cools down the interior of the pot. This is not a new idea, apparently it has been around since ancient Egyptian times going as far back as 2500 BC. Fresh fruit and vegetables like tomatoes, guavas and carrots can last for as long as 20 days in the zeer pot when compared to just 2 to 4 days without it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- 2 unglazed Terra Cotta Pots (1 slightly larger than the other)
- Sand
- Small shovel
- Water
- Damp Cloth
- Lid/Cover
- Produce
- Duct tape
The first step of the process is to block the drainage holes in the bottom of the pots. Then you fill in the bottom layer of sand to raise the level of the inner pot, before placing the inner pot inside the bigger one. The area between the two pots is filled with sand. The sand level may go down, when you start to add water, just go ahead and add more.
Add your produce into the inner pot, and cover with the lid. Place the damp cloth over the lid, this will allow the sand to breathe and aid with the evaporation process. The ideal location to place the pot will be where it is exposed a nice breeze. The temperature inside can differ by as much as 30 to 45 degrees from the temperature outside.
.
