What Are Solar Ovens?

Solar ovens are a way of letting the power of the sun do your cooking for you. No gas or electricity needed. Solar ovens are also not that expensive to purchase and when utility savings are considered a solar oven can pay for itself. You can also make your own solar oven saving the expense of purchasing a ready made one.

How they work:

Solar ovens are described as a solar crock-pot. Light from the sun is collected and reflected inside the oven producing heat to cook the food inside. The angle the oven is placed at and the position of any added reflectors allow for control of the internal temperatures. They can be used in most winter temperatures as well. Placed at a 30 degree angle to the sun the solar oven will collect less sunlight and build less internal heat. This is good for summer cooking or southern environments. Placed at a 60 degree angle the oven collects more light and can be used in winter and northern environments.

An oven placed in summer sunlight with reflectors can reach a cooking temperature of up to 400 degrees F. For slower cooking or lower temperatures the oven can be slightly shaded. Most ovens come with insulating materials to help retain the internal heat which allows for longer cooking even at times when the available sunlight is not consistent.

Benefits of solar oven use:

A solar oven can be used almost anywhere as long as there is some exposure to sunlight. They are great for camping or having on hand in case of a power failure. If you want to cut your gas or electric use and dependence they are a great energy saver. Gas or electric stoves can be large consumers of your overall utility use.

Most solar ovens are light in weight and easy to transport. For camping purposes you do not need to worry about bringing along charcoal or equipment to cook over a camp fire. Using a solar oven outside in the summer can help to keep your home cooler. You do not need to use the oven inside your home that only adds to the need for air conditioning.

Solar ovens can be used to bake, roast or slow cook and even "fry" bacon or eggs. Burning or over cooking foods is not as likely unless the oven is in very strong sunlight for an excessive period of time. Drinking water can be purified inside a solar oven. The process will not remove chemicals in the water but can reduce the bacteria and viruses in the water.

There are many different types of solar ovens on the market depending on the size you need and the amount of use you are considering. Plans are available if you want to create your own solar oven and these can range from a simple foil assembly to a complete permanent cooking station.

References:

http://www.solarovens.org/

http://www.solarcooking.org/plans/