Author Topic: Solar Cooker? (Read 10762 times)

Natasha · « **on:** June 03, 2015, 10:09:38 PM »

Anyone?

I'm looking at this one:

www.solavore.com

It's $230ish. If you figure using the oven costs a quarter per hour, it would take roughly a thousand uses to break even, so it's not exactly a savings, but it's green and looks like fun.

merigayle · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2015, 03:22:55 PM »

Curious George made on, you should do that

Natasha · « **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2015, 04:38:36 PM »

Quote from: merigayle on June 05, 2015, 03:22:55 PM

Curious George made on, you should do that

I'm torn!! There are a lot of plans for cheap ones, but I've got a lot of crap left over from cheap projects just like this.

merigayle · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2015, 05:34:10 PM »

Quote from: Natasha on June 05, 2015, 04:38:36 PM

I'm torn!! There are a lot of plans for cheap ones, but I've got a lot of crap left over from cheap projects just like this.

I think you could easily make one.

caribougrrl · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2015, 07:50:43 AM »

my parents made one once from a plan in Harrowsmith magazine circa 1984

I think they used it exactly once.

Natasha · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2015, 06:11:24 PM »

Quote from: merigayle on June 05, 2015, 05:34:10 PM

I think you could easily make one.

I guess I should try. All I need is a reflective sun visor, I have all the other parts.

Quote from: caribougrrl on June 06, 2015, 07:50:43 AM

my parents made one once from a plan in Harrowsmith magazine circa 1984

I think they used it exactly once.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm afraid would happen. If I spent a bunch of money on something I think I'd be sure to use it.

Run Amok · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2015, 11:33:47 AM »

My recollection is that is basically a crackpot powered by the sun. So, if you have a cockpit today and don't use it,I probably wouldn't bother. But if you use and like a crock pot, I think you'd be more likely to use it. But, yeah, I'd lean towards making one

caribougrrl · « **Reply #7 on:** June 08, 2015, 12:49:02 PM »

Quote from: Natasha on June 07, 2015, 06:11:24 PM

Yes, that's exactly what I'm afraid would happen. If I spent a bunch of money on something I think I'd be sure to use it.

eventually the styrofoam and glass and mirrors were re-purposed

diablita · « **Reply #8 on:** June 08, 2015, 08:45:14 PM »

Quote from: Run Amok on June 08, 2015, 11:33:47 AM

My recollection is that is basically a crackpot powered by the sun. So, if you have a cockpit today and don't use it,I probably wouldn't bother. But if you use and like a crock pot, I think you'd be more likely to use it. But, yeah, I'd lean towards making one

This is a fun auto-corrected post.

Run Amok · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2015, 07:19:06 PM »

damned auto correct!

Natasha · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2015, 07:23:31 PM »

OK, I made one out of a reflective windshield cover and some other supplies. Cost me about $11. I don't think it's all that cost effective because it uses a plastic roasting bag, and unless I reuse them, they run about 50 cents apiece. But it worked ok. I heated up a can of chicken noodle soup. Tomorrow I'm going to start in the morning and try to make some pinto beans from scratch.

They have versions that are parabolic and can reach temps up to 500 degrees F.

merigayle · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2015, 07:50:25 PM »

Cool! Keep us posted.

Natasha · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2015, 10:39:14 PM »

I made pinto beans and cornbread. I left the pinto beans out there all day, and they still weren't soft, so I brought them in and cooked them for a couple of hours on the stove. They ended up tasting great. But I was disappointed that I couldn't cook them entirely with the sun. After some reading, I made a couple of adaptations to my cooker and I think it's working better. I've fried an egg, made a 2-person strata, and some brownies so far. Next I'm going try making veggies. Supposedly they're healthier because they retain more vitamins being cooked at low heat.

It's just something to mess around with, but it's fun.

caribougrrl · « **Reply #13 on:** July 17, 2015, 08:12:02 AM »

I'm impressed by your successes!

Ice Cream · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2015, 08:22:03 AM »

I need a cockpit for the kitchen, too.

Dagstag v 2.0 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 21, 2015, 08:51:29 AM »

Quote from: Ice Cream on July 21, 2015, 08:22:03 AM

I need a cockpit for the kitchen, too.

One with autopilot, for when I get home after a really draining work day.

ihop · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2015, 02:55:34 PM »

Quote from: caribougrrl on July 17, 2015, 08:12:02 AM

I'm impressed by your successes!

1!

Natasha · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2015, 02:12:54 PM »

Success is a relative term.

I think my cooker is getting up close to 200 degrees F, but no more. I might try making a box cooker and see if it works better.

merigayle · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2015, 02:23:46 PM »

Seems like a fun experiment, like when we go to Death Valley and people see what food they can cook on their dashboards, like chocolate chip cookies, eggs, etc.

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Author Topic: Solar Cooker? (Read 10762 times)