Zeer pots: Off Grid Refrigeration

A Zeer pot

Zeer pots have been used in areas without electricity to cool foods for generations. They are cheap, simple to construct and extend the life of perishable food in hot weather. They are not as convenient as having an electric refrigerator in the kitchen, but it’s definitely worth having a couple ready to go in case of power outages.

They can be as big as you like, just remember they are going to be heavy so if you are making a large one build it where you intend it to stay.

The principle is very simple, they work because of the cooling effects caused by water evaporating.

To make your Zeer pot:

Get a hold of two terracotta pots, a two to four inch difference in size is ideal. A saucer to fit the bigger pot makes keeping the sand wet easier.

Put enough sand in the bottom of the larger pot that when you sit the smaller pot inside the rims are at the same level.

Fill the gap between the pots with wet sand.

Put a damp cloth over the top and cover with a light coloured board. ( A dark one will soak up heat)

Tah dah…your done.

As the water evaporates, the inner pot is keep cool, several degrees below the ambient air temperature surrounding the pot. Site it in a shady place for even cooler temperatures.

You need to keep the sand wet to keep the cooling at it’s optimum level so wet the sand regularly to make sure it doesn’t dry out. Put some in the saucer and some on the top of the sand to ensure it’s wet through.

You can put your food in a plastic bag before putting it in the pot, it keeps the moisture off the produce and makes no difference to the cooling of the food.

Take care

Liz