Pot-in-Pot Refrigeration

OCT 18. Today I learned about how to store refrigerated food without a refrigerator.  This was rather interesting, and at some point, I think that I shall try it.  A very intensely creative and provocatively entertaining individual that I know shared this information with me, and I was captivated by it. This is not a new way of temporarily preserving perishable food.  In fact, this method is still in use in many countries around the world--notably in arid or warmer countries that have limited resources or access to alternative ways of preserving food for extended times.   Middle Eastern countries, as well as locations in Africa and Asia are particularly familiar with this pot-in-pot process for refrigeration.

You will need four items to achieve this survival trick. Start with a very large and porous (unglazed) clay pot then add a smaller and porous (unglazed) clay pot to fit inside the larger clay pot, add to that moist sand, and last of all, a cloth large enough to cover both pots. You must also stop-up the hole in the bottom of both pots.  Duck tape, an inch layer of  gravel, or something effective to cover the hole can be used. The layer of sand (about an inch) is also necessary to help level out the smaller pot as it rests inside the bigger pot. Wikipedia calls this a pot-in-pot refrigerator, and it uses evaporative cooling to keep perishables at a sustaining temperature. Moist sand is sandwiched in between the clay pots--a type of moisture barrier--and as the moisture in the sand begins to evaporate and exit through the pores of the outer clay pot, the inner jar begins to cool as heat is drawn away from it through the pours of the inner clay pot. Check once or twice daily to make sure that there is moisture in the sand.

This is a great refrigeration process for practical purposes such as outdoor or indoor party beverages and camping, and you could actually store a unit like this anywhere it's convenient. Remember, this process only works with dry heat.  This method of refrigeration will not work in temperature zones with high humidity because evaporation will not take place--and if at all, not at the rate needed to be effective. For more information and helpful illustrations, please click on the following link:

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pot-in-a-Pot-Refrigerator