Wonderbag/Fireless Cookers/Hayboxes...an old idea revived AND also a tiny off grid fridge

[niglefritz]

Has anyone here heard of these? We would like to try making our own to see it work. They cost $50 to $64 on Amazon Canada. The upside if you don't want to DIY and choose to buy one, a second bag is donated to a family in Africa.

It sounds like a good idea and would do all the things they claim, plus avoid the lead that some have said is/could be in the paints of the crock of slow cookers. Often too, you are to brown a meat first before adding to a slow cooker anyway so this could potentially cut down on dishes as well...I hate doing dishes. lol

http://nb-wonderbag.com/Pages/Default
Here it also lists some good materials for putting in a heat retention "oven": http://www.rootsimple.com/2011/12/hay-boxes-or-fireless-cookers/http://sustainablog.org/2014/06/slow-cooking-without-electricity-diy-plans-hay-boxes-wonderbags/

The above idea can also be used to keep things cold if you wish for the same amount of time.

Now as far as the fridge thing, which will keep items at about 4 degrees (veggies, etc.), here is the information:
http://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/off-the-grid-easy-to-build-diy-refrigerator/
http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Practical-Zeer-Pot-evaporative-cooler-non-electr/?ALLSTEPS

I have not yet checked to see if Mother Earth News covered these in the past, but I would not at all be surprised if they have.