Cooking with a solar cooker

[iPrepMan]

Hello everyone,

I've been wondering if some of you have any experiences with solar cookers. I've seen them recently in action and found them quite interesting.

Do you think it is good to have one?
And if yes, do you think it would make sense to buy one (how much?) or better try to build one?

I'd appreciate to hear your opinions or experiences!

[crashdive123]

It all depends on several factors. One being where you plan on setting it up. For instance in areas where there is abundant sunshine it may be a good idea. In a sub-tropical rain forest - not so much. You are asking pricing - that may be difficult since I see what part of the world you are posting from and your prices may be vastly different than others on this forum.

[thefemalesurvivalist]

After noticing how hot my car got while parked up in our driveway, back in Georgia, I tried some solar cooking in the back window.
I actually was able to make dried apples, heat water for showers and washing dishes. The temps in the soda bottles registered 155 degrees.

The temperature in the solar shower purchased from Walmart (Coglan's) was so hot, I nearly couldn't use it straight. I had to let it cool a bit before showering outside in a rigged bathhouse.

People have always joked it was hot enough to fry an egg on the trunk of a car. I believe you could make coffee!

which raises the question, how come we're not solar enabling our back windows to gather power?

[Rick]

That's where we keep the woofers. Pump up the volume......

[techiedude]

That's where we keep the woofers. Pump up the volume......

LOL i thought that was funny no matter who you are...

[Rick]

WHAT?! (hair blowing and finger pointing) 20,000 WATTS! LOOK! I'VE GOT A NOSE BLEED!!!! AWESOME!

[2dumb2kwit]

That's where we keep the woofers. Pump up the volume......

The song, or the movie?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGPhUr-T6UM

[2dumb2kwit]

I like the movie much better than the song.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuhHPQxS2nQ

[Rick]

You have one post and we know nothing about your situation. What meaningful data could possibly be gathered by a poll?

[2dumb2kwit]

You have one post and we know nothing about your situation. What meaningful data could possibly be gathered by a poll?

That would depend on the poll, wouldn't it? (Snicker, snicker)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Polish_physicists

[finallyME]

If I was trying to live off of no power, then a solar cooker would definitely be an asset. I would use it in the summer to avoid heating my house.

Should you buy one or make one? That depends on you. Do you know how to use tools without cutting off your hand? Do you have access to tools? Do you know how to follow directions? Buying is definitely the easy way.

[finallyME]

That would depend on the poll, wouldn't it? (Snicker, snicker)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Polish_physicists

Sa fajnie Polakiem.

[canid]

If you have room for one, I would say everybody could benefit from having a solar oven and a parabolic cooker.

When it comes to how much use you will actually get from one, everybody's mileage will vary.

Until you reach the point of having too much stuff you never use, or too little room for what you've got in total, it never hurts to have multiple means of accomplishing vital tasks.

[iPrepMan]

Thanks for your responses!

I could build one but I was more curious about your experiences:
Have you built a solar cooker and how did it work? Or have you bought one and how does it work for you? Did you encounter any problems?
Or anyone tried both and realized any notable differences between the self-made and the bought one?

[tjwilhelm]

Howdy iPrep. I teach a few courses on "renewable energy technology," including one on solar-thermal applications. When we discuss solar "process" heating I have each of them build a "medium temperature" solar oven and a higher temperature solar boiler. The experience has been mixed, based on the care and quality of the projects' design and construction.

A few years ago, I had a pair of students who tag-teamed on a really nice solar oven project. It pretty easily reached and maintained 350-degrees (on sunny days). They took it on a deer-hunting trip and used it to cook a venison roast. I didn't get to taste it (boo); but, they said it was great.

There are loads of YouTube videos on projects related to solar cooking. If you haven't seen this one, you might enjoy it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U220eTxHmvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U220eTxHmvw