The non-electric 'refrigerator' especially in Africa can be as cold as 6 degrees Celsius

Refrigerators are an indispensable item in our daily lives. But you don't know that refrigerators are almost never available in African homes. So how do people in these arid regions with these hot desert desert preserve food and fruits?

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The non-electric 'refrigerator' especially in Africa can be as cold as 6 degrees Celsius Picture 1

It is a device with a very simple structure and especially no need to use electricity called Zeer Pot. This unique "refrigerator" was invented in 1995, by Mohammed Bah Abba, a Nigerian teacher, based on the ancient idea of ​​a ceramic vase holding cold water.

The structure of "refrigerator" does not use electricity

Zeer Pót consists of two interlocking terracotta pots. In the middle is a layer of wet sand that insulates the inner layer with the environment and collects heat in the pots to push out into the environment.

The non-electric 'refrigerator' especially in Africa can be as cold as 6 degrees Celsius Picture 2

The food is placed in a small container inside, covered with a lid or a wet towel.

If Zeer "refrigerator" is placed in a dry, low air humidity, airy. When the water evaporates, it carries heat and is blown away by the wind. To ensure cold storage, add water a few times to ensure that the sand is always wet.

The internal temperature can drop to nearly 6 degrees Celsius when the surroundings are just under 20 degrees Celsius. Green vegetables can stay fresh for 12 days instead of a few hours in a hot pan like in Africa. With other types of fruit can even be stored for several weeks.

Under normal conditions, this "refrigerator" can still preserve fresh vegetables throughout the week without wilting, while vegetables will wither after only a few hours to outside with temperatures of about 40 degrees C.

The non-electric 'refrigerator' especially in Africa can be as cold as 6 degrees Celsius Picture 3 The internal temperature table of Zeer Pot depends on the outside temperature and air humidity.

Thanks to this innovation, Mohammed Bah Abba was awarded the Rolex Prize in 2000. His invention was used extensively in poor households in rural Africa and the Middle East. It not only helps farmers to store agricultural products and business more conveniently but also ensures hygiene and quality of products.

According to the test results of a group of British students, leaving Zeer refrigerators to reach 6 degrees Celsius, the outdoor temperature is 21 degrees Celsius and 0% humidity. When humidity increases, steam evaporates poorly, the temperature of the Zeer refrigerator will increase.

In addition, if using alcohol or volatile liquid to wet sand, it will be more effective but if considering the cost factor, the use of water is the best.