Solar ovens for energy-efficient, everyday cooking - even in foggy San Francisco

[jpak]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/11/FDG6BQROHD1.DTL

Global warming. Dwindling energy resources. Deforestation and pollution, natural disasters and power outages.

These are just some of the things to worry about in today's world. Yet a small but growing group of advocates says a simple tool exists that can help address them: the solar oven.

Sun-heated ovens are nothing new. The idea has been around for centuries, and people of a certain age may remember using ragtag cardboard-and-foil contraptions to bake carrot-lentil loaf back in their hippie days. But with today's new versions that produce results comparable to conventional ovens, solar ovens are poised to move into the mainstream.

"For people who are interested in being carbon-neutral or being green, the idea of using something like a Sun Oven is very appealing," says Paul Munsen, president of Sun Ovens International, based in Elburn, Ill. He expects to sell 5,700 ovens in the United States this year, up from around 1,000 in 2004.

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[Warpy]

1. Got my Sun Oven this year

after the tinfoil and cardboard rigs I've been using for my solar dyepots finally pooped out. Other than my having to replace a few pop rivets with machine screws and nuts, the thing has performed admirably this summer.

Just be aware that the door seals pretty tightly, making the heat more of a moist heat. I find I don't get the browning I do with a conventional oven.

However, the cool kitchen more than makes up for it.

[IDemo]

2. I've got a solar oven

An un-airconditioned house and a 103° day.

May have to try out the concept with one of these plans before springing for a Sun Oven at $259.

[losthills]

3. Thanks for the link.

I've got a cabin in the mountains with no power, so I'm interested in stuff like that.
I'm a carpenter, and I went out to a place in the country to bid on a deck this morning. This retired couple had a completely modern manufactured home and workshop powered by a surprisingly small solar electric system. They had a propane fueled generator for back up, but said they seldom used it. Of course they used a wood stove for heat in the winter. There are home designs out there that won't fluctuate more than ten degrees Summer to Winter, but they're expensive to build...

[NNadir]

4. I guess this would leave out evening dinner parties in San Francisco.

I had no idea that this was how they cooked in San Francisco.

The last time I was there, people were using gas and/or electric stoves.

[hermetic]

5. I bought one

I love it. Cooked a roast, came out great. Baked cookies. Everything cooked in it seems to taste better.

[diane in sf]

6. I reheated my previously frozen dinners at Burning Man with a little cheapy solar oven.

I got it from Real Goods and its made of foil covered cardboard, a big plastic bag and a small black enamel stewing pan.

Replacing the bag is the only potential problem--might be better to put it in a glass frame.