Ingenious Ways I Use Clay Pots in My Homestead

Clay pots are fired pots typically referred to as terra cotta. People often use clay pots for plants, from flowers to vegetables to herbs. They come in a variety of sizes, but most have a traditional pot shape with a drainage hole centered in the bottom. Many also rest on a terra cotta saucer to collect and hold excess water.

Both the pot and the saucer present opportunities for uses beyond holding dirt and plants.

What’s interesting is the way people have used clay pots for centuries for uses other than planting. That’s because terra cotta has some unique qualities that lend themselves to other uses.

The most remarkable property is the porous nature of terra cotta. It allows moisture to permeate the pot and transpire both into and out of the pot. This porosity also allows air molecules to move freely through the walls of the pot. The resulting uses and inventions were remarkable.

Here’s How You Can Use Clay Pots In Your Homestead

The Zeer Pot Refrigerator

A great way to use clay pots in your homestead is to make a Zeer pot. The Zeer pot originated in Africa centuries ago and is used to this day to keep foods and drinks cold. It’s basically a clay pot in a clay pot separated by a layer of sand that is saturated with water. As the water evaporates due to outside temperatures and wind, the evaporation has a cooling effect on anything in the pot.

The size of Zeer pots varied from large pots measured in feet to smaller pots measured in inches. Multiple pots were often used and water was the common ingredient for powering the cooling effect of the pots.

Related: How I Lived With No Fridge And No Heat For The Last 5 Years

Critical to the success of the Zeer pot is a tight-fitting lid and sometimes a wet cloth or piece of fabric across the top. As long as the sand in the gap between the pots is moist, the temperature inside will be lower than the outside temperature. At its best, a Zeer pot can reduce temperatures to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Here’s a cutaway that reveals the concept.

The critical success factor with a Zeer pot is to keep the sand moist and to expose it to the wind as much as possible. As the wind moves the transpired moisture away the cooling effect increases. Even in the sun, a Zeer pot will work, but a Zeer pot works better in the shade and in the wind.

A Zeer pot is a great solution on any camping trip or bugout. Think of it as a portable refrigerator that can keep anything cold or food safe when you have no other resources.

The Zeer pot is just one example of the incredible off-grid techniques the Amish use to thrive without modern conveniences. But there’s so much more to learn. The Amish Ways book is packed with time-tested methods for food preservation, DIY projects, and practical homesteading knowledge that can help you live self-sufficiently.

The book covers everything from building your own root cellar to crafting homemade remedies, all with clear instructions and easy-to-follow steps.

And honestly, I wish more people knew about this.

The Tea Candle Heater

Clay pots also can act as excellent heat exchangers so I started to use clay pots as a tea candle heater. Something as simple as an arrangement of tea candles under clay pots can create an indoor heat source with surprising results. It’s an excellent solution for times when the power fails and temperatures drop.

It’s actually a combination of two clay pots over the candles to hold and radiate heat. Various Internet videos and articles demonstrate the concept, and the heat is not only consistent but surprisingly effective. Better yet, tea candles emit little in the way of noxious fumes so they can burn with little ill effects.

A clay pot heater can be located anywhere as long as it’s away from anything flammable like draperies or fabrics.

This is a great emergency heat alternative during a power outage or to simply provide some heat to a room that never seems to get enough heat. It’s also used by gardeners to provide heat to a greenhouse when temperatures dip low, and some added heat is needed to keep the greenhouse warm.

Tea candles average about a 6-hour burn time but they’re cheap and easily replaced as time goes on. Better yet, you can place multiple terra cotta heaters around the house or greenhouse to simply keep everything much warmer.

This is just one of the many affordable and simple ways to heat your home. But during a blackout, you need more than just a tea candle heater to stay safe. I’ve discovered several methods that can help you not only survive a blackout but also keep your home warm. These are some of the most cost-effective and secure options I’ve found, and I wanted to share them with you here.

Clay Pot Cooker

You can use clay pots as an effective cooker. A bit of heat underneath makes a terra cotta pot an ideal way to cook rice or anything else. The trick is to use the terra cotta bottom as a lid to seal in the moisture while anything is cooking in the pot. A handle can be attached to the top to make cooking easier.

You can cook anything in a clay pot cooker that you might cook in a crockpot. Just add the ingredients and some broth or water and let it go. The heat source under the pot can again be something as simple as tea candles or a charcoal fire or even a hot plate if you have power.

The Miniature Clay Pot Root Cellar

A clay pot buried in the ground can create a surprisingly effective way to store food. The good news is that some clay pots are extremely large and burying them can give you a distinct advantage when it comes to storing foods like potatoes and other root vegetables. For that matter, anything requiring refrigeration can be kept in a clay pot root cellar.

You can use the bottom base as a cover and literally plant them in a series to keep and hold vegetables all year round. Just make sure you mark where your clay pot root cellar is planted and what it contains along with a date.

A clay pot buried in the ground can create an effective food storage solution, especially for root vegetables. But if you’re looking for an even easier way to keep your food fresh without worrying about temperature fluctuations, you might want to consider this Easy Cellar.

It’s a modern twist on traditional root cellar methods, and you’ll be surprised at how it simplifies long-term food storage. Plus, thanks to its design, it can also double as a disaster-proof family shelter in your backyard—all for less than $400.

Are There Other Ways To Use Clay Pots in My Homestead?

I’ve only tried these 4 ingenious ways to use clay pots on my homestead, but I have plenty more at home and a long ‘to-do’ list of ideas. I wanted to share both with you so we can explore more uses together!

Water & Moisture Control

Ollas for Watering Plants

I always wanted to use clay pots as ollas. An olla is an old-school way to water plants without wasting a drop. Just bury an unglazed clay pot near your plants, leaving the top open above the soil. Fill it with water, and the clay will slowly release moisture as the plants need it. This keeps the roots hydrated while cutting down on evaporation and runoff. It works great for vegetable gardens, raised beds, or even potted plants.

Rainwater Filter

You can use clay pots to help filter rainwater before drinking or using it for animals. Just layer sand, charcoal, and small rocks inside an unglazed clay pot, then pour the water through. The clay naturally absorbs impurities, and the layers inside trap dirt and debris. It won’t purify water completely, but it’s a great first step before boiling or using a real filter. This setup works well in emergencies or off-grid living.

Food Preservation & Storage

Fermentation Crock

Clay pots are perfect for fermenting foods like sauerkraut, pickles, and kimchi. Their natural material helps regulate temperature and keep air flowing while locking in moisture. To use one, just pack in your veggies, cover them with a salty brine, and place a weight on top to keep them submerged. Let it sit for a few weeks, checking for bubbles and tasting along the way. The longer it ferments, the stronger the flavor!

Cheese Aging Pot

If you make your own cheese, you can use clay pots as a mini cheese cave. The porous material helps keep humidity just right so the cheese doesn’t dry out too fast. Just line the inside with a damp cloth, place your cheese on a small rack, and cover it loosely with a lid. Keep it in a cool place and check on it regularly. Over time, the cheese will develop better texture and flavor.

Cooking & Food Prep

DIY Clay Bread Oven

You can turn two big clay pots into an outdoor bread oven. Just place one pot upside down on a fireproof base and use the other as a lid. Heat it with coals or a small fire, then slide in your dough. The clay holds heat really well, baking bread evenly just like a brick oven. This setup also works for roasting meats and even making homemade pizza.

Herb Drying Pot

Drying herbs is easy when you use clay pots because they naturally absorb moisture from the air. Drill small holes in the pot, hang fresh herbs inside, and set it in a warm, breezy spot. The holes let air circulate, helping herbs dry evenly without getting moldy. You can even stack a few pots together to dry different herbs at once. This method works great for oregano, basil, thyme, and other garden herbs.

If you’re not growing your own medicinal herbs yet, you might be missing out when times get tough. This Medicinal Garden Kit contains 10 different types of seeds, offering 4,818 NON-GMO seeds in total. This kit ensures you’re prepared to grow your own herbal remedies in case of a crisis. Packaged in the USA, these seeds will give you peace of mind knowing you can have the power of natural medicine at your fingertips when you need it most.

Animal Care

Self-Watering Chicken Dish

Chickens need fresh water, but they love to kick dirt into their bowls. You can make a simple self-watering dish with a clay pot and a shallow pan. Just flip the pot upside down inside the pan and fill it with water. The pot will slowly soak up and release water, keeping it fresher longer. It’s a great low-maintenance way to keep your flock hydrated, especially in the summer.

Cooling Station for Animals

On hot days, clay pots can help keep your animals cool. Fill a big pot with water and place it in a shaded area near your chickens, goats, or dogs. As the water evaporates, it naturally cools the air around it. You can also soak a clay pot and place it in a coop or barn to lower the temperature a little. This trick works best in dry climates where evaporation happens fast.

Heating & Cooling

Heat Sink for Warmth

Clay pots can store heat during the day and slowly release it at night, making them a great way to keep a space warm. Set a few in a sunny window or next to a wood stove to absorb heat. Once the sun goes down, they’ll radiate that warmth back into the room. This won’t heat a whole house, but it helps take the chill off small spaces. It’s a simple way to save on heating costs in the winter.

DIY Clay Pot Air Cooler

If you need to cool a room without electricity, use clay pots air coolers. Soak an unglazed clay pot in water, then place a damp cloth over it and drill a few holes in the sides. Set a fan behind it, and as the water evaporates, it will cool the air. This method works best in dry areas where evaporation happens quickly. It won’t replace an AC, but it can make a small space more comfortable.

Pest & Garden Uses

Slug & Snail Trap

Slugs love hiding in dark, damp places, so you can use clay pots to trap them. Just place a pot upside down in your garden, propping up one side with a small rock. Overnight, slugs will crawl under it for shelter. In the morning, lift the pot and remove them before they munch on your plants. This is a chemical-free way to keep your garden pest-free.

Worm Composting Bin

Turn a large clay pot into a worm composting bin for breaking down kitchen scraps. Drill some drainage holes in the bottom, then add damp soil, worms, and food scraps. The clay helps regulate moisture so the worms stay happy. Over time, they’ll turn scraps into rich compost for your garden. Just check it every few weeks and scoop out the finished compost.

Other Uses

Hidden Storage in the Garden

If you need to stash small supplies or emergency cash, a buried clay pot makes a great hiding spot. Dig a hole, place the pot inside with a tight lid, and cover it with soil or mulch. You can even disguise it with a plant on top. The pot protects your stuff from moisture, and no one will think to dig it up. Just make sure you remember where you buried it!

Bee & Butterfly Watering Station

Pollinators like bees and butterflies need water, but they can drown in deep bowls. A clay saucer filled with pebbles and shallow water gives them a safe place to land and drink. Set it near flowers or in your garden to attract more pollinators. Refill it often, especially in hot weather. This little trick helps keep your garden buzzing with life.

Stockpile Clay Pots

Terra cotta pots are cheap. Stock up. At worst, you’ll have plenty of ways to plant herbs, flowers, and start seedlings. At best, you’ll have multiple options for heating, cooling, and food storage you may not have considered before.

Do you use clay pots in any of these ways? Got a favorite trick or one I missed? Let me know in the comments!

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