923.5K
INNo electricity.
No batteries.
Zero carbon emissions.
In Episode 2 of Influential Innovations of India, we explore one of the most practical and sustainable grassroots innovations — a refrigerator that works without power.
This innovation was developed by Mansukhbhai Prajapati, a traditional potter from Gujarat who originally made clay utensils and water filters.
In 2001, during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, his entire stock of clay products was destroyed. A newspaper published a photograph of his broken water filter with a headline that described it as a “poor man’s broken fridge.”
That headline became the turning point.
Inspired by the natural cooling properties of traditional Indian clay pottery (like a matka), he began experimenting with combining traditional craftsmanship and practical design to create a low-cost refrigerator made entirely from clay.
The working principle is based on evaporative cooling:
• Water is poured into the upper chamber.
• The porous clay walls absorb the water.
• As the absorbed water evaporates, it removes heat from the surface.
• This process creates natural cooling inside the chamber.
Using this method, fruits, vegetables, and even milk can remain fresh for approximately 3–5 days without any electricity.
This innovation led to the creation of the brand Mitticool, aimed especially at addressing affordability challenges and electricity shortages in rural and semi-urban areas.
The Mitticool refrigerator demonstrates how traditional knowledge, when combined with simple engineering principles, can solve real-world problems in a sustainable way.
It is an example of grassroots innovation that addresses:
• Energy access issues
• Rural affordability
• Environmental sustainability
• Low-carbon cooling solutions
Watch till the end and follow @instantengineering for more innovation breakdowns, engineering insights, exam updates, and important information for students across India.
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