Desert Refrigerators

    In both of these refrigerator systems, water is evaporated from a source surrounding the food to be preserved. The evaporation draws heat away from the refrigerator system, and therefor draws heat away from the food inside. The food is cooled the same way that sweating cools your body.
    For both of these systems, it is important that there is a constant supply of water, and that the systems are placed in well-ventilated areas to allow the evaporation to take place.

Clay Pot Refrigerator
Source: Lubick, Naomi "News and Analysis, Desert Fridge," Scientific American. Vol. 283, Nov. 2000.
Inventor: Mohammed Bah Abba, Nigeria.

Two unglazed clay pots are fitted inside of each other. Because local Jibida's have small mouths, it will be necessary to special order the outer Jibida. The space between the two jars is filled with wet sand or wet course soil. The unglazed jars are porous enough to allow the water to slowly seep through the sides to be evaporated, cooling the food.
The exact temperature difference is as yet unkown. However, it can keep aramanths fresh for about twelve days, and tomatoes can last for several weeks.
 

Burlap Refrigerator

    This is a refrigerator system that has been used to some extent in parts of the American Southwest. A frame of wood or metal is built with internal shelves for holding the food. The frame is placed in a shallow pan of water. Burlap or some other course cloth is draped around the frame. The cloth will absorb the water through capillary action, and the evaporation of the water will cool system.
    It would probably be a good idea to make the frame just smaller than the pan. This way, there is very little open water to attract mosquitoes.
 
 

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