Comments for $25 Fridge Powered By Cooking Fire at http://www.ecogeek.org , comment 1 to 27 out of 20 comments http://www.ecogeek.org Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:31:13 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-47708 Computers, refrigerators... what's next, yachts? Seems like the 3rd world isn't such a bad place to live afterall. All this, AND low low taxes (based on $200/yr earnings), I don't understand what all the fuss is about? - Wonnerber Snerr Mon, 31 Dec 2012 05:04:12 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-47372 where can you find the $25 Fridge Powered By Cooking Fire. I would like to have one. Carol - carol Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:34:45 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-46888 I find it funny that this item is not for sale. I wonder if he gave up on it or did someone with more influence stop the idea in its tracks.. I think it would make a great item to add to a persons camping gear.. - wendlo Sun, 24 Jun 2012 14:25:16 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-45503 If the non toxic material costs so much that such devices will not be widely used, then ammonia Crosley Icy Ball units could be replicated at far lower costs for wider distribution which may save more lives than the rare ammonia poisonings would take. ..HG.. - Henry Gibson Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:03:21 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-44441 In light of the rolling electricity blackouts to come, one needs something like this, even in developed countries. Anyone who has lived in UK or Cuba will know what I'm talking about. - rich Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:22:59 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-42107 It has died a silent death. Investers lose their money. I have never ever seen a working prototype. in short a scam to get peoples money. - The Man Sun, 12 Dec 2010 12:08:56 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-31813 Does anyone know if this is actually for sale? - lopo Simoes Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:55:05 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-31453 Interesting. You could set up an amplified solar heater (cheap) to heat about 100 of these, then drop them into an ultra-insulated chest and run a fan over them for ???? 24 hours? Now that would be cheap. Over time actually would be free. Where can I see one work? - Jay Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:22:53 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-30772 A lot of you are missing the point. This is not an attempt to provide everyday refrigeration, but to provide a way to keep vaccines cool so that they don't spoil, which is currently a major problem in a hot environment! Meanwhile in the developed world we need to stop using so much energy. Perhaps commercial versions of this old technology will be more efficient than what we are currently using. I write this without knowing anything about the relative efficiencies of this cooling cycle and the one that we currently use. - Andrew Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:40:50 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-28956 If all it takes is a couple of hours of heat, a strategically positioned fresnel lens and a light baffle that only let light in for a predetermined period would provide enough heat to activate multiple units. It would work best on sunny days when refrigeration and/or air conditioning is needed the most. No fuel needed. I've thought about making a large icy ball array using rows of propane tanks and a fresnel lens to cool the house in the summer. The cost would be minimal. One big screen fresnel lens could provide enough heat to operate four propane tanks. - F. A. Miller Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:15:54 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-25503 This technology seems like a way to condense water from the atmosphere in areas that have a lack of fresh drinking water. May be even enough to do some small scale farming. - James Hinds Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:32:02 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-24196 I think it is great that companies are finally stepping up to the plate and finding new and innovative ways to power everyday things. I just read about this company called LEHR that powers garden tools with those little green propane tanks. Very cool! www.golehr.com is the site for them... - Steve Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:24:24 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-22750 As much as I admire simple technical solutions of which the device under consideration is a good example, I doubt it could find widespread use among intended consumers in poorly developed areas. "Deforestation problem" is laughable: the amount of heat needed to "charge" such a device is about the same as needed to boil a modest kettle of water. Here is the real problem: people who do not currently have access to refrigeration are accustomed to get by without it. Think of it: most of the products we refrigerate are bought already refrigerated, but how likely are those less fortunate folks to get to the grocery store with frozen food? Refrigerating food leftovers? How likely are they to have any to justify spending their whole month wage of $25 to purchase the device? Before making claims about saving people from poor countries one would be well advised to travel there and inquire what kind of help is needed most. Alas I would get one for myself to go boating in areas with no access to bagged ice to keep my beer cold in a cooler. And I somehow suspect I am not the only one having such thoughts :) - Alex Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:30:24 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-22264 As long as I have been hearing about the shortage of fuel wood in less developed countries, I would expected that problem to be resolved by now or some time soon. Last I look trees where a renewable sustainable source of energy. True so many of my fellow Americans need to get over themselves before they end up [i]suffering[/i] needlessly. - Doug Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:16:09 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-22254 Y'all are missing the point. This is not aimed at so-called "green" people in the developed world, it is aimed at people that [b][/b]already build a fire on a daily basis[b][/b] to cook food, etc. AsRdys suggests, perhaps the solar cooker and this technology could be used together to cook and cool. - Michael Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:21:48 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-22233 How about you build a huge one, mount it on the roof, expose it to the sun, cover it, then pass air from inside the building over it and back in. Viola, sun powered AC for underdeveloped areas. Or maybe repass over several units, air several times to create a freezer. lots of thing to think about. - Rdys Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:04:00 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-22213 It's a great idea but it would also cost a lot to get the wood or camel dung for people to heat this thing up. It would still harm the ecosystem a lot, and cause massive deforestation and extra air pollution. - Casiopea4 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:02:54 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-22205 The trend of looking at simple solutions, leaving aside high-tech options is laudable. Let there be many more down-to-earth devices, which are environment friendly. - N T Nair Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:05:22 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-22087 Bob Wallace, you are missing the point, this is intended for people who don't have electricity and/or can't afford a fridge. - Space Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:28:35 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2382#comment-22051 1) powered by regular fire 2) After being heated on the fire, the device is set aside to cool for an hour. 3) At that point it begins to grow cold, and it is inserted into an insulated container of some sort 4) Repeat every 24 hours or your milk spoils. How many Americans (or Canadians or Europeans) are going to spend a couple of hours every day, seven days a week, dealing with their refer? Interesting idea. Very limited application. - Bob Wallace Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:07:27 +0100