Today, homesteads and commercial platforms are adopting solar cooking either as a cooking alternative way to cut costs or as fun.
The cooking technique is sufficient since it works on a set-up that requires only the ovens which are locally available and the sun which is inexhaustible. The solar ovens have reflectors that trap light particles (photons) and then convert them to heat which cooks the meal of choice.
In the recent past, the number of solar ovens has been on the rise. Today, people understand the many benefits accrued by this mode of cooking and this is what influences the rising number of solar ovens in the market. As a result, manufacturers have continued to supply the market with cooking stoves. Although solar ovens come in different styles, their design falls under the four major categories which I’m going to discuss.
Box Solar Ovens
These ovens are the most widely used around the world. The ovens are typically box-shaped and come in considerable sizes. Their size favors those seeking to prepare separate meals or cook for a bigger number of people. The box cookers cook slowly thus suitable for anything simmered in a slow cooker, cooked in a microwave, or roasted in an oven.
Sun Ovens: All American Sun Oven
Price: $499.00
Product Features:
- Sun Oven reaches temperatures of 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The digital thermometer shows progress toward the desired temperature.
- Collapsible reflectors allow easier installation and removal.
Product Specifications:
| Dimensions: | 26.5 x 20 x 16.5 inches |
| Weight: | 26 pounds |
| Manufacturer: | Sun Oven |
Parabolic Solar Ovens
Often, many platforms refer to these as curved concentrator ovens because of their setup. Over the other categories, the parabolic ovens are designed to create high heat concentration hence cooking meals faster. The ovens’ rounded walls direct all the heat to the base where one places the food. They are most popular in China but are gaining fame in institutions and commercial food joints in the US that cook frequently. Because of the high temperatures, the ovens are the perfect choice to fry, grill, or even pop popcorn.
Haines: SunUp Solar Cooker and Dutch Oven Kit
Haines SunUp, the Sunshine Cooker can deliver consistent cooking performance. The 3 – tray solar cookers and dutch oven kits are able to provide top-ranked performance in a number of key metrics. They were developed with an emphasis on durability, ease of use, and best – in class energy efficiency. Combine this elite-level performance with the unique mobility of only requiring counter space and you have one of the strongest panel cookers available at midsize.
Price: $119.95
Product Features:
Small, light, and easy to store.
Quick-set assembly takes just minutes.
Durable powder-coated steel panels.
Product Specifications:
| Dimensions: | 26.3 x 13.2 x 8.7 inches |
| Weight: | 7.04 pounds |
| Manufacturer: | Haines |
Solar Panel ovens
The panel ovens combine the designs of the box and parabolic cookers regarding their design. These ovens use panels to trap light particles and then direct the heat to a separate box that holds the meal. The separate box is made of plastic or glass to assist in retaining the trapped heat. These ovens are suitable for meals that require slow cooking, or roasting. The panel ovens are cheap to manufacture so readily available in most local stores at an affordable price.
Sunflair: Portable Solar Oven With Complete Cookware
Sunflair’s Solar Oven delivers the most versatility available on the market. You can use it to bake cookies or pizza, dry fruits, and herbs, or even make pizza crust. The cooking surface is designed for easy baking of cookie dough, breaded fish, chicken breasts, broiling vegetables, and other fares.
Get ready – your next camping trip, picnic, beach outing, or backyard bonfire party will be Picnic Bento foldable solar oven with complete cookware included!
Price: $159.99
Product Features:
- Includes a pot, two trays, two racks, and two pots.
- High-quality heavy-duty steel construction with a handsome silver finish.
- The enamel body withstands all weather conditions.
Product Specifications:
| Dimensions: | 19 x 15.5 x 2 inches |
| Weight: | 8 pounds |
| Manufacturer: | Sunflair |
Sunflair: Mini Portable Solar Oven
Price:
Product Features:
- Ultra-lightweight and easy to carry around.
- Perfect for camping, picnicking, family gatherings, and parties.
- Eco-friendly as it minimizes environmental impact.
Product Specifications:
| Dimensions: | 13 x 5 x 11 inches |
| Weight: | 1.25 pounds |
| Manufacturer: | Sunflair |
4. Evacuated tube Solar Ovens
Last but not least are the evacuated tube cookers. The name might not sound familiar because they are new in the market. However, these ovens are slowly winning people’s attention owing to their excellent service delivery and the fact that they can work well even under cloudy skies. They comprise large evacuated glass tubes stuck between shiny reflector panels. This setup allows maximum trapping of heat to temperatures of up to 290ºC hence favorable for cooking meat, vegetables, dessert, and bread among many other meals.
GoSun: The Protable Solar Cooker
[amazon box=”B00KLKJB72″]
Specifications and Key Features:
| Dimensions | 24 x 5 x 8 inches |
| Weight | 7.94 pounds |
| Manufacturer | GoSun Inc |
MrMapMax: Portable Solar Oven
[amazon box=”B071VCLT9R”]
Specifications and Key Features:
| Dimensions | 9 x 23 x 7 inches |
| Weight | 11.22 pounds |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Manufacturer | MrMapMax |
KECOP: Portable Sun Cooker
[amazon box=”B08B3GBSDW”]
| Dimensions | 28.8 x 11.6 x 5.3 inches |
| Weight | 8.25 Pounds |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Manufacturer | KECOP |
With the knowledge of the four categories, it’s now easy to pick an oven that matches your taste. When acquiring a solar oven, first you should consider the cost. After all, everyone is looking for a solar oven to cut costs. Also, one should put cooking needs into consideration. It is advisable to choose an oven that suits the meals that you intend to prepare. Lastly, a buyer should consider efficiency regarding the oven’s portability in case he or she plans to use it in different locations such as homes and camping sites.
Over the past few decades, forests have fallen victim to humanity in search of firewood to cook. Therefore, the solar ovens in play, it is a relief to the environment. Also, cooking via solar energy is comfortable and healthy as we all know how cooking fires are a threat to our lungs and eyes.
Conclusion
Recently, solar cooking is slowly gaining popularity. Thanks to the manufacturers, solar ovens have been made locally available at affordable prices. It is, therefore, high time that the cooking method got embraced even at the individual level. With that said and done, the environment will be a significant beneficiary. Besides, people will also benefit concerning health.
