Use this cooking pot to charge your phone

Cooking techies, especially those going on outings, may want to get this gadget: a cooking pot that can charge their electronic gadgets while simmering on the stove.

 

The PowerPot contains thermoelectric materials that can generate electricity while it is being used to heat food for meals, a report on OhGizmo.com said.  

 

Both projects are on crowdsourced funding site Kickstarter. If they reach their funding goal, they can start shipping as early as June, it added.

 

OhGizmo said two versions are presently available, which generate 5 and 10 watts of energy.

 

It said a regulator cord on both models has a high-temperature connector that plugs into the backside of the PowerPot, and three feet of flame-resistant cabling leading to a USB plug.

 

"This makes the PowerPot usable on open wood fires in addition to stoves," CNET said.

 

OhGizmo said the basic PowerPot V, which can contain 1.4 liters of liquid and generates 5 watts, starts out at $125 while the larger 1.9-liter PowerPot X generates 10 watts and is sold for $200.

 

Temperature difference

 

A separate article on CNET said the key to the technology is that the liquid inside the pot is colder than the heat source.

 

"It is this temperature difference that is used to generate the energy necessary to power small gadgets," it said.

 

CNET said the kit has a lid, a voltage regulator, and a vessel with a conspicuous cable extending from its side.

 

The whole package is rated to withstand heat up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

"With no moving parts and basic science at its heart, the generator is a neat idea worthy of some attentionm" it added. — TJD, GMA News