Solar Powered Ovens and Cookers Guide
This article will discuss the most commonly used ones and how to incorporate them into your home energy conservation plan. The low tech device used in solar cooking ovens is a form of outdoor cooking that does not require firewood or the need for fuel which can help reduce air pollution.
The advantages of using energy from sunlight makes it possible to heat food and drink for cooking and sterilization. Many solar panels provide great DIY projects.It is important to note that the various types of solar cookers are based on concentrated sunlight, converting light to heat, trapping heat and the greenhouse effect. Cooking with the sun is a eco-friendly way to conserve and save the planet at the same time.
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Hybrid Solar Cooker Sun Oven Portable Cooker | |
This Hybrid Solar Oven has the best of both worlds, it can heat and cook from sunshine with the use of double paned window and reflector panel. The great thing is that if you have a RV or camper and want to cook a meal you can take advantage of the 6' power cord that can be plugged into a 120V outlet using 75% less power than a conventional oven. |
Types of Solar Box Cookers | |
Homemade Solar Cookers - these are for those who want a DIY project and it will require some type of cardboard box, foil, black construction paper, glue and a oven cooking bag.
Solar Box Cookers come in a variety of styles such as:
1. Cardboard Box Solar Cooker
2. Pizza Box Solar Cooker
3. Shoe Box Solar Cooker
4. Kyoto Box Solar Cooker
Find more great survival stove ideas at Solar Cooker Wikipedia
Other electricity free cooking options:
Wonderbag Non-Electric Portable Slow Cooker with Recipe Cookbook, Blue BatikCheck PriceWonderbag Non-Electric Portable Slow Cooker with Recipe Cookbook, Red BatikCheck PriceWonderbag Slow CookerCheck Price
Try this insulated slow cooker Read about how this wonderbag works here |
Best Cookware for Sun Ovens | |
Learn about solar cooking appliances, you will want to get durable enamel cookware.
The good thing is that you can purchase sun oven pots and pans that heat up and cook faster because of their black surface.
The secret is in the black ceramic coating and heavy gauge steel.
How it works: is that the sun rays absorbed in the dark interior the light converts into heat energy allowing for more efficient cooking and even temperature.
Some Sun Oven Accessories include:
A) 3 Quart Roasting Pot made of Black Graniteware
B) 4 Quart Steamer Pot made of Black Graniteware w/Steamer Insert
C) Loaf Pans set of (2)
D) Cookie Sheet Loaf Pans (2)
E) Water Pasteurization Thermometer Indicator
F) Multi-Level Dehydrating & Baking Racks
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RediCheck Remote Cooking Thermometer w/Taste Settings | |
Also the large digital display makes for easy reading. One of the benefits of using a digital timer when using a sun oven is that you can multitask and do other things without having to sit and monitor the food saving you time and conserving energy at the same time. |
Solar Cooking Recipe Ideas | |
Many recipes for solar ovens are prepared by avid solar cookers who have tried many ways to prepare meals outdoors.
Acorn Squash (baked)
Fresh Fish Fillets (baked)
Potatoes (baked)
Bar-B-Que Chicken Wings
Chicken Breasts with Tomatoes
Vegetable Beef Stew
Corn-on-the-Cob with or without Husks
Banana Bread
Pork Roast with Apples
Sirloin Tips with Mushroom and Onion
Wild Rice and Brocklee
To get the best results in your outdoor cooking you will want to read up on Solar Cooking Guidelines provided by the Solar Oven Society.
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Advantages of Solar Cooking | |
The biggest advantage of using the sun for cooking is that it is environmentally friendly.
The smoke-free, and hands-free methods makes it an option for those who travel on the road in a RV or do lots of outdoor camping. It eliminates the use of wood fire cooking and the use of fuel consumption.
Heating water with the sun reduces the amount of waterborne diseases spread through contaminated water and becomes a great solar water pasteurizer.
Most importantly as a pollution free alternative to global warming this method is the beginning of what can be achieved with a free energy device.
Why Solar Cooking?
One of the main reasons is because it does not use any of our limited resources such as , also it is a healthy way to cook our foods which is free of toxins found in microwaves, or smoke from fire pits.
Emergency Cooking Preparedness
Nutrition is another factor because since the food is cooked at low temperatures can preserve natural flavors.
Not to mention in times of power outages having emergency cooking equipment will be an alternative in your preparedness plan.
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Heaven's Flame: A Guide to Solar Cookers | |
Author Ben Root discusses independent home power with detail instructions on how to make your own sun cooker as well as the best solar cooker designs.
Learn how important the right kind of solar box cooker design is to achieving efficient cooking and baking on high temperatures from the sun.
One of the benefit of a book like this is that it compares other types of sun cookers and provides answers to most questions for people interested in getting into solar cooking.
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Reduce Home Energy Costs by Cooking Outdoors | |
If you have a patio area or outdoor living space it is a good idea to utilize it during the warmer parts of the day.Improve Energy Efficiency. Think ahead and prepare your meals ahead of time. Most cooking can be done during peak hours on the weekends to prepare lunches, and dinner for the work week. With the right preparation you can just heat up your dishes quickly from portable electric appliances, which will not add heat to your kitchen but actually help in keeping the living area cool. Pick meats that are light and easily cooked on a open fire or barbeque grill, this would include fish, hot dogs, chicken and grilled vegetables. Cut up ingredients inside the house and put each in its own container, then rotate the various dishes and items that take less time to cook should be grilled last. Save money on your energy bill while keeping your home cool during hot summer months. Its best to pick a time of day where there are higher UV Rays in the earths atmosphere and this is when the sun is directly overhead and emits the most natural energy. |
Free Solar Cooking Resources | |
The following is more information to help you with your solar energy journey.
1. Instructables site: - Easy DIY Projects
2. National Geographic: Alternative Energy News
3. Solarcooking.org: Solar Cooking Plans
4. Homemadesolar: Solar Box Cooker Instructions
5. Solarhome.org: Solar Panel Resource
6. Cookingwiththesun.com :Cook With The Sun
7. Solarcooker at cantinawest: Introduction to solar cooking
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How to Clean a Solar Oven Step By Step Tutorial | |
Cleaning outdoor cooking device such as a grill can be burdensome but sun ovens are much easier to wash out after usage.
Things you will need: 1. wash rag 2. soapy water 3. dry cloth Step by Step Cleaning Guide Next you will want to first make sure that any food that is prepared and cooked in the solar unit is in a container with a lid to prevent spills, but in case you end up with drippings or coating left on the bottom of the box sun oven you can use a wet wash rag and some soapy water to remove the stains, then dry off so it will be ready for your next use. Benefits of echo-friendly Cleaning Products Try using echo friendly cleaning supplies when caring for your solar-powered appliances at home. The leading manufacturer in earth friendly products is able to reduce carbon footprint, by using green energy. |
Things You Should Know About Low Carbon Cooking | |
Less need to use firewood and coal The use of firewood and charcoal is causing global warming from harmful emissions entering into the atmosphere. Conventional stoves require safety measures to prevent fires and burning of food stuff. Greener Cooking It is environmentally safer to use solar heating and solar power to boil, bake or cook vegetables, meats and soups. Greener cooking around the country has taken hold and now there are several initiatives and organizations training families how to use these alternative cooking kits. Solar Thermal Projects The use of solar thermal collectors will save residents money in heating costs while eliminating the need for fossil fuel energy. How it works is that these units are collecting solar radiation by converting the suns energy into electricity which can then be used to heat water for cooking, and purification of drinking water. Using Solar PV Panels To get the most benefit it is necessary to have Solar PV Panels installed on your home which include such things as a solar collector for a roof, mounting, piping, insulation, wiring, pumps and circulation equipment, controls, and a storage tank. Depending on the size of your home the upfront cost is substantial but the yearly maintenance costs is very cheap. |
Disadvantages of Solar Cookers | |
The Amount of Time it Takes to Cook Food
Even with all the benefits and wonderful things about using a free energy device you will find that there is some downsides to the solar equipment, one of them being the time it takes to finish cooking, conventional ovens have a higher degree level than most solar boxes.
So you will have to cook your meals during the peak sun times during the day and wait longer for the food to get done.
Lightweight and smaller portions of food will cook easier than heavy meals which could cause a slowing of the process.
Unfortunate Weather Conditions
Another issue is the fact that without sun due to clouds there may be a need for a fuel based or electric cooker. Environmentalist agree that wind can interrupt the efficiency of the heating process requiring weights or anchors on reflectors.
These small issues can be worked out
All in all the positives outweigh the negatives and like with anything you will want to learn more about how to maintain a solar powered oven and cooker from the industry experts.
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Best Types of Foods to Cook in a Sun Oven | |
The most popular Solar cooking is done in what is called a box oven because it is easier to cook several pots at once. A reflector is used to focus the sunlight inside the box, then the sunlight's heat is trapped by plastic covering to slowly cook the food.
What types of food is best?
You can cook beans, rice dishes, vegetables, casseroles, pasta and oatmeal. It is possible to bake breads, cookies and muffins.
Experienced sun cookers also are able to braise meats such as chicken, fish, lamb, pork, turkey and beef as long as the meat is cut in smaller portions. (many solar powered ovens temperature from the sun will be between 175 to 200 degrees which can rise as high as 300 degrees).
For best results use the right kind of cooking pots
Enthusiast that cook with the sun know that it is a slow cooking process similar to a crockpot. The best type of pot to use in a sun oven is a tinted glass pot with a lid or a black coated one.
Those who cook in a sun oven state that the flavor and taste of the foods are better and they save on electricity and gas by reducing the use of their regular stove.
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History of Solar Cooking | |
Solar cooking has been around since the beginning of time when man hunted and then cooked using wood and a open flame, this fire produced by pieces of wood from trees made it possible for meat to be cooked before eating it.
There are stories as far as 1894 of bread from sprouted grains being heated on hot rocks from the sun, the solar box cooker has its origin with Horase de Saussure who was a naturalist and is known as the grandfather of solar cooking using it mostly for fruits.
Other known uses is from a sea caption voyager, a solder in India and a restaurant in China. Global environmental crisis caused a need for Sun Cookers designed by engineers in the 1950's. Those who benefit the most from this alternative energy source are cultures who do not have access to electricity or firewood.
See How a City in South India is making use of a Solar Kitchen
Various cooking tools are developing in response to the need to save the earth from global warming due to pollution from carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel, burning gasoline and deforestation, because of this the future of the solar cooking movement is growing.
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Cooking Outdoors in the Sun | |
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