Research quest; Solar ovens, solar cookers, reflective ovens.
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
April 17, 2012 5:36am CST
It looks like it will be a very warm and sunny spring, maybe summer and fall will be also. I'm in the upper USA and there is a Canadian company who sells solar ovens or solar cookers who said that even in Canada, when the sun is shinging, you can use solar ovens or cookers in the spring, summer, and fall.
I know that where I live, July would usually be a good solar month because it's 70 to 100 degrees during that month. Last year it rained, but most years it's dry as popcorn. It's way too hot to cook indoors and the charcoal from grills makes me sick. Yes, you can have an electric grill, but that's more energy. We're almost at brown out and black out levels with air conditioning during July and we've had rolling brown outs and black outs.
So far all the above reasons, I'm issuing a research challenge to you all. If you want to do it. Like Mission Impossible, "should you choose to accept this assignment" there are many types of solar ovens and cookers. Reflective ovens can be used to boost the solar ovens or cookers. Since there are some made with heavy sheet metal from scratch and some made with alluminum foil and styrofoam that people may have around the house, find a solar oven or cooker that would be great for you and tell why.
If you don't want to research because your computer is slow or you have limited time on it, etc. then state how you would experiment to try to build one and what you think you would make on one.
Also more reasons why it would be cool to have a solar cooker or which of the above ones apply to you or your area.
If you have not heard of them before, you have now. They cut down costs and don't heat up the kitchen. They're used in many places in the world. You may find that out during your research, too.
In years past, I've been very busy during June and July to build one. But I see my future as having lots of time to do what I want this year. So past years of research will probably become the year or years of doing.
So which solar cooker would be best for you, why, and woulddo you think would be really cool about it?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
17 Apr 12
I've heard of these solar cookers,and would love to try one..a website I found way back on the subject of using used cooking oil (journey to forever,iirc) reprocessed as fuel for a diesel engine had other eco minded projects listed,including how to make a solar box cooker using a surplus cardboard box,insulating material,and some aluminium foil as a reflector surface..
What's not to like about them? ideal for off grid use,use no fuel...the only disadvantage might be the wait!
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
18 Apr 12
About The only thing putting me off trying out this idea is the thought that these units probably wouldn't work as well under cloudy conditions,which is the type of weather (when it's not raining!)that we tend to get here in Ireland pretty much all of the time!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Apr 12
Can you still get a sunburn? There might be enough sunlight some months to get it to 200 degrees with a reflector, too.
At least the ones using recycled stuff wouldn't cost much.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 12
Great that you've heard of it before and found it interesting. You're at about the stage I am in. Peavey and Green Moo have actually used them. You might want to check out their responses above and below.
I'm getting more and mroe psyched!
@peavey (16936)
• United States
17 Apr 12
I could be cheating on my research because I own a solar oven. It's called the SOS Sport Solar Oven (http://www.solarovens.org/index.html). Its design is very simple: it's a black box with a clear lid. One side is shorter than the others to create a slanted top which can more easily be aimed at the sun.
If I were to build one now, I'd start with a box - cardboard or plywood, then line it with insulation of some kind. Cover that with something black: another box painted black inside, heat resistant plastic (or nylon) or simply put a large black pot in it. In this interior box or pot, place a dark, thin walled cooking pot with a loose fitting lid to put your food in. Cover the whole thing with a sheet of glass, stiff, clear plastic, or a frame on which you've fastened heavy duty clear plastic wrap or something similar.
Make sure the lid closes tightly but not necessarily sealed. This is to eliminate or minimize heat loss.
Put food in the interior pot, set it in the interior box, put the lids on and aim it at the sun.
Solar cooking is a little different and easier than conventional cooking. The same site has some recipes and tips to get you going.
And... you don't have to wait until it's hot to use it. I have baked corn bread on a mild winter day. The whole idea of a sun oven is to concentrate the heat from the sun.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 12
Excellent report!
How often have you used it?
When I was researching it and reading about it, the usual temp for our area was 200 degrees so you had to start food earlier than an ovenm, but it seemed like the same amount of time for a charcoal grill. Because those things take forever to startl.
So what have you made with it?
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
17 Apr 12
I've used it quite a bit. I got it three or four years ago. My favorite way to use it is to bake bread, but vegetables taste great when cooked in it. You don't use water unless it's necessary (rice or something like that) because it takes longer for water to heat up and you lose lots of vitamins and minerals in water. Cut up vegetables and put them in the pot and that's all there is to it.
I haven't done many meats yet, but a meatloaf is on the menu soon. Some people have even "fried" chicken in it, but I haven't. Baked meats just seem more appropriate for it, just like any oven.
It takes longer than conventional heat because it doesn't usually get as hot, but when conditions are right, you should be able to get 300 + temps in it. The best thing about it is that it never burns food, even if you leave it out all day. If the lid is kept closed, it will stay hot (as long as it isn't snowing or raining) and it won't dry out, either. I have started food around 7 or 8 AM and eaten it at dinnertime.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 12
You're getting me all psyched! I've got to do this. What fun! Things don't burn is such a plus and using less water is wonderful since I think it will be a very dry year if it keeps going like it is. Thanks!
I thought solar tea was cool, so this will be even more awesome!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
17 Apr 12
I have seen plans for simply lining a durable cardboard box with heavy aluminum foil. I guess that is the simplest form. I did just a little browsing just now and found that there are many types and uses for solar cooking systems. I found all kinds of websites with free instructions and may be motivated to do some of the simpler things because you never know when you will need to be off the grid. I saw a really simple plan for a water pasteurizer that I could build in half an hour. I think it would be a good plan to have some solar powered equipment. I find myself wondering if a non working microwave, lined with heavy foil and tilted toward the sun would be an efficient cooker? What do you think? I would love to have free cooking power that keeps the house cool.
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
17 Apr 12
I would think if they are not connected to electricity they are not generating any type of radiation. My thought was to scrap out the wiring parts. Some people I know save the wiring and sell it. I saw a cute plan that looked like maybe a foil lined umbrella. There were some instructions for funnel cookers too.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 12
I like the simplest form idea, but I think you need some kind of insulation so the heat doesn't go in one side and out the other. But it depends on where you are. I'm in Northern NY, so AZ or Cal. would probably not need insulation and on our 90 to 100 degree days in July, we might not need it either.
Microwave that isn't working. Well, I think that would work well, I'm just not sure about the leaks in some of those old things. Aren't tehy a little radio-active or am I mis-informed? I could be.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 12
Check out Green Moo and Peavey's responses, they've actually done it.
1 person likes this
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
29 Jun 12
I think it is good have solar ovens and solar cookers and this will help to save energy. I think all the people uses solar ovens and solar cookers in the place there are lots of solar energy then I think lots of energy can be saved. I think it is good to live as eco friendly as possible.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
1 Jul 12
Yes, and the people who have them have reported on this site. So that is interesting, too. Thanks and take care.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
17 Apr 12
We've built several in the past, but just temporary ones out of odds and scraps. I remember one was made from a cardboard box lines with aluminium foil. We managed to get that one hot enough to cook a pan of potatoes. The other I remember was a little more flashy, and had a metal cooking surface with glass over the top. That made good cooked pears.
I don't bother with them much I'm afraid, they're more an experiment than anything serious. I cook on wood anyway, so they don't save me any money and take twice as long to cook.
What I do use the sun for is for dehydrating. I use solar for dehydrating most types of fruit and veg for use in the winter. No enery to prepare it, or to store it.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 12
It takes a lot of enetgy to chop wood unless you're just using downed trees where you have to clear a path anyway. If the wood stove is also your heater, it would make sense to just use that. You don't have a month like we have in July that is so wickedly hot that about all we can stand to eat are salads or go out to eat?
This is interesting that you and Peavy have done it. Thanks for your response, this encourages me. Yes, they do take longer, but if you're home anyway, what to heck.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 12
I had a feeling you used a wood stove for heat and cooking, so it makes sense. We have an oil furnace and electric stove. So solar cookers make more sense for us. Thanks again and take care.
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@GreenMoo (11833)
•
17 Apr 12
I have a woodburning stove inside, which I cook on in winter as it serves a dual purpose. I keep water on the top of it always, so I always have water warm. If I need some in a hurry and have to put it on the gas stove, at least it uses less energy than heating it from cold.
I also have a storm kettle which I use for water heating in summer and during the day when I don't want to get the stove going. It's an amazing piece of kit and I wish I'd got one years ago. It works on twigs, which I have hue quantities of after the goats have eaten.
I'm not actually in the UK much of the time, so I'm very familiar with those too hot to cook months. I have a pseudo rocket stove outside, which I use to cook on in summer. It works best on sticks which are about an inch in diameter, so wood cutting isn't really an issue.
Your point about timings is a sensible one. It's all about planning. Like using a slow cooker or using dehydrated beans, you need to think ahead.
@ecaron (678)
• Canada
17 Apr 12
This is something I've never heard of before but sounds like an interesting concept. I live in Canada and I'm wondering what company makes and sell these solar ovens or cookers. I think they may be great energy savers not to mention a person wouldn't have to heat up the house cooking on a conventional stove. I may do some research into it just because you've piqued my interest in this. I have heard of solar heating for a house or building , you know, where they put solar panels on the roof to catch the sun's rays for heating the building. That is done a lot nowadays for new constructions.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 12
All that is true. But a lot of that solar stuff is expensive. I thought this was neat because you can make or buy whatever you can afford.
I saw the Candain company online last year. I wonder if they're still going and what they charge. I had had a mental block because most of the companies or places online were talking about South Africa, Arizona, California. But combined with a reflective oven low tech, we might be able to do it more.
Read Peavey's above, she uses hers even on some winter days.
This could be fun and awesome. Right now we do solar tea, so why not more things?
