Botijo-like devices

Around the world there are many botijo-like devices used to cool water or to keep foodstuff fresh. Here are some examples:

In the year 2000 a Nigerian teacher was awarded the Rolex Award for Enterprise for his utilization of the water evaporation cooling system to implement a food preservation system for dry climates.

His implementation consists of two earthenware pots of different sizes, placed one inside the other. The space between the pots is filled with wet sand, and food is placed in the inner pot. The evaporation of the water in the sand between the pots cools the inner pot, using the same effect used in a botijo. By keeping the sand moist, the food in the inner pot is kept cool.

You can read a full description of this cooling device here.



The company Water Savers markets the device pictured on the right. The water poured on top drops through a ceramic/activated carbon filter to the terra-cotta container below.

This container is nothing more than a botijo, with a pretty dispensing spout and a fancy filter. it holds about 8 liters of water and is allegedly made in South America.

You can purchase this device for a mere $160, plus $60 for each filter replacement.