Can clay pots safely store insulin without fridge?

Answered byDr. Kiran Kumar GollaMBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Endocrinologist)

Fact checked byDiabetes.co.in medical review team

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Patient's Query

38 years old • female

I frequently travel to rural areas where electricity and refrigeration aren't available. I've heard that using a clay pot or container filled with water can help store insulin safely. How exactly does this method work, and is it reliable?

Doctor Answers

Dr. Kiran Kumar Golla

Endocrinologist

Using an earthen pot for insulin storage is a reliable traditional cooling method when refrigeration is unavailable.

How it works:

Fill a porous clay pot with water and keep it shaded and ventilated.
Evaporating water cools the interior, maintaining lower temperatures suitable for insulin storage.

Recommendations:

Place insulin vials or pens inside a waterproof container or sealed plastic bag before placing them in the pot to avoid water contamination.
Regularly check the water level, ensuring the pot remains damp to continue effective evaporation cooling.
Monitor insulin closely—if cloudy, clumped, or discolored, discard immediately.

This method can effectively keep insulin safe short-term (days to weeks) in warm climates but always follow manufacturer storage recommendations.

References:

World Health Organization. (2015). Guidelines on Insulin Storage. Geneva: WHO.
American Diabetes Association. (2023). Insulin Handling and Storage. Diabetes Care, 46(Suppl 1), S140–S149.
Frid, A. H., et al. (2016). Insulin Delivery Recommendations. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 91(9), 1231–1255.

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