Clay Pot Cooler

Although there is no hack substitute for a good refrigerator, you can make a very effective evaporative cooler that can extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and other perishable foods. It all starts with 2 porous flower pots, one slightly larger than the other. Standard terra cotta pots work great. First, plug the hole at the bottom of the large pot and fill the bottom with enough sand to raise the top rim of the smaller pot level with the top rim of the larger pot. Second, fill the space in between the pots with sand, then pour in water so that the sand is completely saturated. The evaporation of the water through the outer pot draws heat from the inside of the smaller container, cooling whatever is inside. It helps to place the cooler in a breeze to increase convection. A damp towel over the top of the cooler serves as the perfect lid.

evaporation = the process of turning from liquid into steam shelf life = the length of time a product stays in good condition and can be used perishable = usually about food that has a limited shelf life and spoils within a short amount of time porous = having many small holes terra cotta = hard, baked reddish-brown clay rim = the upper or outer edge of an object saturated = holding as much water or moisture as can be absorbed