DIY Chillers
A homemade chiller may seem like a difficult project to undertake. The electrical know-how to manufacture one may be out of your expertise. Fortunately, you can use an ancient method of refrigeration to create your own homemade chiller that reaches ice-cold levels. The flower pot chiller, more commonly known as the zeer pot, uses condensation to create a pocket of cold air. Civilizations have used this method for centuries to chill food for storage. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 1 large clay pot
- 1 small clay pot
- Duct tape
- Sand
- Water
- Water bottle
- Towel
Instructions
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1
Look at the bottom of both flower pots and look for a small opening used to allow water to drain. Cover these holes with duct tape.
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2
Fill the large flower pot with 1 inch of sand. Pat down with your hand to distribute the sand evenly.
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3
Place the smaller flower pot on top of the sand. Next, fill the space between the large flower pot and the small flower pot with sand. Continue filling until you fill the entire space.
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4
Pour water into the sanded area using a water bottle. Work your way around the pot and stop when the water begins to overflow. This means the sand is saturated and cannot take anymore water. This takes several water bottles to complete.
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5
Wet a clean towel in water. Thereafter, wring the towel out to remove all excess water. Lay the towel over the two pots. Make sure the towel covers the entire opening. Next, let the pot sit for at least one hour. The outside heat creates condensation and evaporation in the sanded layer. The energy needed for this process moves outward and upward, creating a cold center in the middle of the zeer pot. This results in the smaller pot becoming cold enough to chill some item.
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6
Add food and drinks inside the zeer pot when the small pot becomes cold to the touch. Continue adding water to the towel and the sanded area as needed.
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References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
