Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The Wonderbag Is Such A Simple Idea. It's An Energy Free And Portable Slow Cooker

The simple Wonderbag is another of those wonderful ideas that came into being because of necessity.
You know, it's the same necessity that's the mother of invention.
It's an idea of Sarah Collins who when she was growing up in South Africa, her grandmother would wrap the cooking pots up in blankets during power outages so the food could continue to cook.
Sarah became acutely aware of the economic, social, environmental and logistical problems associated with wood fire cooking.
In many parts of the world, South Africa being one of them, women would spend many hours travelling in often hostile and dangerous areas further and further from their homes in the search for wood to feed their cooking fires. During their days they would be susceptible to personal harm and they would have no time to spend with their children, they would have no time for education and no time to earn a living. Then there was the destruction to the ecosystem, the deforestation and health problems caused by carbon emissions and smoke inhalation.
Sarah's simple solution, the Wonderbag Slow Cooker, addresses and eliminates all those problems.
There's more about the Wonderbag, how you might obtain one and how to cook with one here and here. You might also wish to make your own.
It's so simple as the best things usually are... 

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  1. Excellent! This is a new take on an old idea. In the old days folks used a "hay box," which was essentially the same idea: a heavily insulated container in which you would cook food that you'd heated for a very limited time by leaving for a longish while, sealed in with its own heat.

    The list of cooking times for various items looks very useful. It might be worth making something like this - it's not rocket science, just basic thermodynamics.

    1. You're right Kevin, it is a new take on an old idea. but isn't it great how those old ideas are still so useful and this one is just so easy to make...

  2. Such a simple but very useful little item. Why did it take so long to come about since it solves so many problems? Here in Eastern Europe as poverty grows in leaps and bounds, it would be a welcome addition to many kitchens.

    1. You don't need to wait for them to become available Suzy. Make one yourself.
      I do note though that the makers offer one free to an African family for everyone sold...

  3. A good idea, even if an old one. In fact, we have a lot to learn from old ideas.

  4. Where can I find the instructions on how to make my own? thank you.