Before refrigerators, homes usually had ice boxes. But another way to keep food cool without the need for electricity is to use an evaporative cooler. This is easy to make and does not even use ice.
在冰箱问世前，家庭普遍都拥有冰盒。但另一种不耗电而冷藏食物的方法是使用蒸发冷却器。它很容易制作，甚至无需用到冰。
A common design is a tall box with food placed on several shelves inside. The shelves are pieces of metal with many small holes through them. The sides of the box are covered with pieces of thick cloth.
通常的设计是一个高盒子，盒子里的架子上摆放着食物。架子是由布满小孔的金属片制成的。盒子的边沿用厚布覆盖。
Containers of water are placed at the top and bottom of the cooler. The ends of each piece of cloth lie in the water so the cloth stays wet.
装水的容器放置在冷却器的顶端和底部，每块布的末端都浸入水中以保持布的湿润。
Put the cooler in the open air but not in the sun. Air will pass through the wet cloth. The inside of the box will stay several degrees cooler than the outside air temperature. And this may be cool enough to keep foods fresh at least for a short time.
将冷却器放在户外但避免阳光照射，空气会穿过湿布。盒子的内部将会比外界温度低好几摄氏度，这对于使食物在短时间内保持新鲜已经足够。
Cold storage in a freezer, however, can keep foods in good condition for months after the growing season. Yet foods can be damaged if they are kept too cold.
然而以冰箱冷藏食物能使食物在生长季节后的好几个月都保持良好状态，但在过冷的环境下食物可能被损坏。
The British development group Practical Action says the best way to prepare foods for storage is at harvest time while still in the field. Use a sharp knife to avoid damage.
英国发展小组实际行动表示，储藏食物的最好方法是在收获季节，当食物还未被收割时，用锋利的刀收割以避免损伤食物。
Evaporative cooler: 蒸发冷却器
posted @ 2008-06-16 22:55
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