Only 3:34 of your time:

http://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grosser_and_his_sustainable_fridge.html

...express version if you skip to 2:44.

Edited by Trooper on 11/07/2009 07:22:24 MST.

I just fill my pack with ice cubes before I start down the trail! I count them as consumables since they melt as I go! : )

Seriously though, I think its a great idea, and may be wonderful for car camping or at base camp. But I doubt even a traditional backpacker would have a legitimate use for these on the trail. Now, give me a portable refrigerator that weighs 3 ounces, then count me in!

That's a really great idea, and I bet you anything it'll be marketed to the traditional backpacking community once it's completed and gets all the safety approvals it needs. It'd fit inside a bear canister and keep your beer cold.

It'll probably go the way of the backpacking espresso makers. People will buy them, but few will actually use them.

Regardless, it's a fantastic idea for developing countries and I hope it becomes widespread soon.

Put it in the creek!

Hike in winter!

On shorter lounge-around-and-drink trips I've been known to carry my beer in a foam cozy with ice.

A friend once recommended dry ice.
We used too much and ended up freezing and blowing up our beer on the way to camp. All over my stuff. Criminal.

Or you can use the evaporative cooling system. Put some water in a container , have the tip of your shirt (cloth or something like that) dipped into it and the rest wrapped around the item you want to cool down.
Running water will be usually cooler than that.
This system is also called "desert cooling" , used by desert tribes to cool their tents.
Franco
Of course there is a big difference between cooling and refrigeration. I mention that in case there are still some that are not familiar with the idea.
BTW, that is why we sweat.

Edited by Franco on 11/07/2009 15:49:47 MST.