Refrigerate Without Electricity Take a smaller pot and put it inside of a larger pot. Fill the space in between them with wet sand, and cover the top with a wet cloth. When the water evaporates, it pulls the heat out with it, making the inside cold. It's a natural, cheap, easy to use and even portable refrigerator. So, instead of perishable foods rotting after only three days, they can last up to three weeks using this method.