The Slow-Cooker That Doesn’t Need Electricity: Why South Africans Are Falling in Love with the Wonderbag

From dinner tables to township kitchens, this KZN-made bag is quietly changing lives

Ask any seasoned South African home cook, and they’ll probably tell you: there’s something special about a pot of stew that simmers slowly over time. But in a country where load shedding is part of daily life and electricity costs are climbing higher than ever, the luxury of a long, slow cook can feel out of reach.

Enter the Wonderbag.

Not just a nifty gadget or an eco-trendy fad, this humble cloth bag has become a practical staple in thousands of households across the country. And it’s not new; it’s just finally getting the spotlight it deserves.

What exactly is the Wonderbag?

At first glance, it looks like a colourful fabric cushion. But inside? A clever design rooted in age-old cooking traditions. Made in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, the Wonderbag is essentially a heavily insulated non-electric slow cooker.

Here’s how it works: You bring your pot of stew, rice, potjie, or soup to a boil on the stove. Then, you remove it from heat and place it, lid and all, inside the Wonderbag. Close the bag. Walk away.

And that’s it.

Hours later, your meal is hot, fully cooked, and infused with slow-cooked flavour. No fire. No power. No fuss.

Load shedding lifesaver

In a country constantly at the mercy of Eskom’s power schedule, the Wonderbag isn’t just convenient; it’s revolutionary. It allows meals to keep cooking even during stage 6 blackouts. You don’t have to start from scratch every time the lights go out, and you don’t risk burning through gas or backup battery power.

It’s especially helpful in lower-income households where electricity access is limited or unreliable. The slow, gentle heat retention of the Wonderbag reduces the need for repeat reheating, which saves both time and money.

Designed for South Africans, by South Africans

The Wonderbag was born out of necessity and innovation. Developed in KwaZulu-Natal, it’s now sold in over 20 countries, including the UK, US, Australia, and across Europe. But its roots and impact remain proudly local.

All staff at the South African operation are home-grown, and over 1 million Wonderbags have already made their way into homes worldwide. More than 20,000 micro-entrepreneurs sell them in communities globally, supporting both economic empowerment and sustainable cooking.

At just R250 per bag (excluding delivery), it’s an affordable, long-term solution, especially when you factor in rising utility bills.

A slow-cooking companion with heart

Each Wonderbag comes with its own recipe book to get you started. Think fragrant pilafs, hearty bredies, tender chicken curries, and Sunday potjies, all possible with minimal electricity and maximum flavour.

But the Wonderbag isn’t just for cooking. It also works as a cooler, keeping drinks chilled at sports matches, picnics, or beach days. For busy families on the move, it’s like a mobile kitchen in a bag.

And perhaps the most meaningful part? Every purchase contributes to the Wonderbag Foundation, which distributes bags to people living in poverty. It’s cooking with a conscience.

Social media is waking up to the Wonderbag

On TikTok and Instagram, the Wonderbag is making a comeback. Creators are posting time-lapse videos of stews finishing off in the bag, students are using it in dorm rooms to avoid cooking costs, and parents are praising it for cutting down their evening chaos.

There’s something deeply local, almost nostalgic, about seeing meals that remind us of Gogo’s kitchen cooked in a modern way that still respects tradition.

In a time when we’re all looking for ways to stretch our budgets and simplify our lives, the Wonderbag offers something rare: a small, one-time investment that delivers daily value. It speaks to our local realities (load shedding, inflation, and busy lives) and gives us a solution that is practical, sustainable, and proudly South African.

Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce electricity use, or simply rediscover the joy of slow-cooked flavour, the Wonderbag is worth a spot in your kitchen.

Also read: Rain, Thunder and Chill: Gauteng’s Gloomy Weather Isn’t Going Anywhere Just yet

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Source: IOL

Featured Image: Yuppiechef