Selfsufficientish.com

Whilst researching the book (still sounds really nice to say that) I came across evaporation coolers. It strikes me that this is pretty simple technology and there must be a way to make one yourself. Anyone tried this before, I am thinking Nev perhaps

I copied this from the article

The pot-in-pot refrigerator, also known as a Zeer in Arabic, is a way of keeping food cool without electricity. It is constructed by placing a clay pot within a larger clay pot with wet sand in between and a wet cloth on top. As the water evaporates it cools, allowing food stored in the inner pot to be kept fresh for much longer in a hot, dry climate. It must be placed in a dry, ventilated space for the water to evaporate effectively towards the outside. Mohammed Bah Abba invented the device in 1995 and was awarded a Rolex Laureate (Rolex Awards for Enterprise) in 2000 for developing this "pot-in-pot preservation/cooling system".

I think this is what Paradox may have been talking about with the Eco Fridge thread

How about building a small shed with hollow walls filled with sand to make a cool cupboard. You would have to find a way to keep the walls continuously damp.

Oh, isn't that a bit like what they used to call a "larder"?

The cooler with the fan does look easy though and it could probably be powered with a small solar unit.

Sorry, I'm off work with the flu, my man gave it to me. It's the sort where you can't get off the computer chair even to make yourself a cup of tea.

I had a go at making the pot in pot cooler and it worked really well.

Not sure about the idea of sitting in a damp room, does not sound that healthy

I think that a small free standing unit might be an option.

Yep, I wouldnt sit in a cupboard iether

G'Day Mate! .

Haven't tried but yep, it would be simple enough with an absorbant pad, small pump, fan and water reservior. All 12 volt would be easy enough too. The Sydney summer tends to be a humid one, especially after Christmas so they are of limited use here, but must give it a go some time.

Nev

Less humid here, so might be worth a go and I suspect that we are in for another hot summer.