Wonderbag cooking has been around for centuries but has recently gained popularity as a sustainable and energy-efficient way to cook food. Not only does using a wonderbag reduce energy use and carbon emissions, it also produces delicious and flavorful meals. In this article, we'll show you how to make a wonderbag at home using simple materials and step-by-step instructions.
Materials
Here is a list of materials you will need to make your wonderbag:
- Sturdy fabric, such as cotton or canvas
- Thread and needle or sewing machine
- Insulating material, such as foam or batting
- Scissors
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Drawstring cord or ribbon
Instructions
Step 1: Cut the fabric and insulating material
Measure and cut two pieces of fabric and two pieces of insulating material to your desired size. The fabric pieces should be the same size and the insulation pieces should be slightly smaller to account for seam allowance.
Step 2: Sew the fabric pieces together
Place the fabric pieces right sides together and sew three of the sides together, leaving one side open. This will be the opening for your wonderbag.
Step 3: Sew the insulating material together
Repeat step 2 with the insulating material, but this time leave a small opening to stuff the material inside the fabric cover.
Step 4: Stuff the insulating material
Stuff the insulating material inside the fabric cover through the small opening. Make sure the material is evenly distributed and not bunched up in any places.
Step 5: Sew up the insulating material
Once the insulating material is inside the cover, sew up the small opening. You can do this by hand or with a sewing machine.
Step 6: Add a drawstring cord
Cut two small slits at the opening of the fabric cover and thread a drawstring cord through them. Tie the cord in a knot to secure it.
Using your Wonderbag
Now that your wonderbag is complete, it's time to put it to use. Here's how:
- Start by heating up a pot of food on the stove. This can be any type of food - soups, stews, chilis, or even rice.
- Once the food is heated, place the pot inside the wonderbag and cinch the drawstring cord tightly around the top.
- Leave the pot inside the wonderbag for several hours. The insulating material will trap the heat and allow the food to continue cooking, producing a delicious and tender meal.
- When you're ready to eat, remove the pot from the wonderbag and serve.
Using a wonderbag is a great way to cook meals sustainably and efficiently. It's also perfect for camping trips or power outages when electricity is not available. With a few simple materials and some basic sewing skills, anyone can make their own wonderbag at home.