Changes: Introduction to solar cooking

Revision as of 17:26, 16 April 2014

Last edited: 21 October 2013

KoZon Iridimi May 2007 1 — Tens of thousands of solar cookers are in use in refugee camps in Chad.

Sharon cousins1 — Tens of thousands of solar cookers are also in use in developed countries.

Below is a collection of articles about solar cooking basics. If you are interested in trying solar cooking for the first time yourself, you may be wondering whether it is best to build your own solar cooker, or to buy a finished solar cooker commercially. Take a look at how solar cookers work to help understand the principles of solar cooking. Building your own solar cooker can be fairly easy and inexpensive way to go. Various types of solar cookers that are available to build are listed at build a solar cooker. You will find information there comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each style of cooker. There are also many solar cookers available commercially. Commercial cookers are typically well made, and waterproof. The location of the retailer will be important to consider to avoid high shipping costs. See possibilities at buy a solar cooker.

Once you have decided on a cooker, you will need to find appropriate cookware. Thin-walled dark enameled metal cook pots work well. They are good at heating up quickly. Cast iron pots also work, and are typically preheated in the solar cooker before cooking. The advantage of the heavier pots is that they will help maintain an even cooking temperature if the sun is occasionally blocked by clouds, but most solar cooks seem to use the enamel pots. Because dark cooking pots work the best in solar cookers, it is important to remember to use a nontoxic paint for the exterior cook pot surface if you choose to darken your own pots.

Consider the type of foods you will be preparing in your cooker. Solar panel cookers and solar box cookers are simple to use, and are best at baking and slow cooking, similar to crockpot cooking. Parabolic solar cookers will require frequent reorientation to the sun, but have the ability to fry foods and cook food on a griddle. Cooking guidelines will explain the best way to prepare specific food types. There are also many recipes of proven approaches to great dishes, but basically, most any recipe will work with the right solar cooker, by simply allowing for more cooking time. Most solar cooks will advise to not add much extra liquid when cooking, as you might do with traditional stovetop cooking. The natural juices of the food are retained when solar cooking.

Introductory articles

Introductory Manual

Solar Cookers: How to Make, Use, and Enjoy

Reports

Audio and video

500px|none

External links

The Expanding World of Solar Box Cookers - Barbara Kerr

Three part series by Sharon Cousins on practical, humanitarian, and environmental aspects and potentials of solar cooking: Solar Cooking: Clean, Bright and Accessible,Out of the Smoke, Into the Sun, and Cleaner Cooking, Healthier Planet

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{GoogleTranslateLinks}}
+{{Updated|10|21|13}}
-Listed below is a collection of articles to learn about solar cooking. If you are interested in trying solar cooking for the first time yourself, you may be wondering whether it is best to build your own solar cooker, or to buy a finished solar cooker commercially. Take a look at [[How solar cookers work|how solar cookers work]] to help understand the principles of solar cooking. Building your own solar cooker can be fairly easy and inexpensive way to go. Various types of solar cookers that are available to build are listed at [[:Category:Solar cooker plans|build a solar cooker]]. You will find information there comparing the [http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Solar_cooker_plans#Selected_designs advantages and disadvantages] of each style of cooker. There are also many solar cookers available commercially.  Commercial cookers are typically well made, and waterproof. The location of the retailer will be important to consider to avoid high shipping costs. See possibilities at [[:Category:Manufacturers and vendors|buy a solar cooker]].
+[[File:KoZon_Iridimi_May_2007_1.jpg|thumb|300px|Tens of thousands of solar cookers are in use in [[refugee camps]] in Chad.]][[File:Sharon_cousins1.jpg|thumb|300px|Tens of thousands of solar cookers are also in use in developed countries.]]
+Below is a collection of articles about solar cooking basics. If you are interested in trying solar cooking for the first time yourself, you may be wondering whether it is best to build your own solar cooker, or to buy a finished solar cooker commercially. Take a look at [[How solar cookers work|how solar cookers work]] to help understand the principles of solar cooking. Building your own solar cooker can be fairly easy and inexpensive way to go. Various types of solar cookers that are available to build are listed at [[:Category:Solar cooker plans|build a solar cooker]]. You will find information there comparing the [http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Solar_cooker_plans#Selected_designs advantages and disadvantages] of each style of cooker. There are also many solar cookers available commercially.  Commercial cookers are typically well made, and waterproof. The location of the retailer will be important to consider to avoid high shipping costs. See possibilities at [[:Category:Manufacturers and vendors|buy a solar cooker]].
-Once you have decided on a cooker, you will need to find appropriate [[Solar cooking pots|cookware]]. Thin-walled dark enameled metal cook pots work well. They are good at heating up quickly. Cast iron pots also work, and are typically preheated in the solar cooker before cooking. The advantage of the heavier pots is that they will help maintain an even cooking temperature, if the sun is occasionally blocked by clouds, but most solar cooks seem to use the enamel pots. Because dark cooking pots work the best in solar cookers, it is important to remember to use a nontoxic [[Paint|paint]] for the exterior cook pot surface if you choose to darken your own pots.
+Once you have decided on a cooker, you will need to find appropriate [[Solar cooking pots|cookware]]. Thin-walled dark enameled metal cook pots work well. They are good at heating up quickly. Cast iron pots also work, and are typically preheated in the solar cooker before cooking. The advantage of the heavier pots is that they will help maintain an even cooking temperature if the sun is occasionally blocked by clouds, but most solar cooks seem to use the enamel pots. Because dark cooking pots work the best in solar cookers, it is important to remember to use a  [[Paint|nontoxic paint]] for the exterior cook pot surface if you choose to darken your own pots.
 Consider the type of foods you will be preparing in your cooker. [[Solar panel cookers]] and [[solar box cookers]] are simple to use, and are best at baking and slow cooking, similar to crockpot cooking. [[parabolic solar cooker|Parabolic solar cookers]] will require frequent reorientation to the sun, but have the ability to fry foods and cook food on a griddle. [[Cooking guidelines]] will explain the best way to prepare specific food types. There are also many [[Recipes|recipes]] of proven approaches to great dishes, but basically, most any recipe will work with the right solar cooker, by simply allowing for more cooking time. Most solar cooks will advise to not add much extra liquid when cooking, as you might do with traditional stovetop cooking. The natural juices of the food are retained when solar cooking.
@@ Line 12: / Line 14: @@
 *[[How solar cookers work]]
 *[[Where is solar cooking possible?]]
+*[[The case for solar cooking]]
+*[[Most significant solar cooking projects]]
 *[[Media:The Case for Solar Thermal Cooking.pdf|The Case for Solar Thermal Cooking: Free Fuel—Zero Emissions]]
+*[[United Nations Millennium Development Goals]]
 *[[:Category:Solar cooker plans|Build a solar cooker]]
 *[[:Category:Manufacturers and vendors|Buy a solar cooker]]
 *[[Health and safety]]
+*[[How to start solar cooking]]
 *[[The history of solar cooking]]
 *[[Solar cooking frequently-asked questions]]
@@ Line 37: / Line 43: @@
 ==Audio and video==
+[[Video:Solar Cooking in Africa - A Remarkable Technology Transfer|500px|none]]
-*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-_4g0Omtsw&feature=player_embedded Nature-Powered Cooking]
-*[http://personnel.awr.org/Misiani/Ray/Solar%2520cooking%2520nov.07.2002.mp3 Short audio piece on solar cooking by Adventist World Radio]
-*[http://www1.voanews.com/SpecialEnglish/article.cfm?objectID=D2DC5F52-C3B5-4F2F-99EC66F4E6BECC21&title=DEVELOPMENT%2520REPORT%2520%2596%2520Solar%2520Cookers Listen to 2005 Voice of America report on solar cooking]
-*[http://www.voanews.com/SpecialEnglish/article.cfm?objectID=FD3E6146-1048-4E66-AF5ECDFC3F971BE9&Title=DEVELOPMENT%20REPORT%20%96%20May%2013,%202002:%20Solar%20Cookers&db=current The Voice of America broadcast their Special English Development Report with solar cooking as the subject matter.]
 ==See also==