Downing trees or gathering sticks to fuel stoves is a major cause of deforestation and desertification. But if you could get that fuel free from the sun…
The Panel Solar Cooker
The Panel Solar Cooker uses reflective panels to focus sunlight onto a pot. These work best in tropical climates or in the warmer months when wind and heat loss are not an issue. An inexpensive, aluminized cardboard panel cooker can heat food up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. That is plenty since food starts to cook at 180 degrees F.
Aluminum foil will work for a couple of weeks, but after that the aluminum oxidizes and turns dark. The design shown (was sold through Gaim for $120) is made of polished aluminum and can heat foods to 350-400F on a sunny, warm day. Mo matter which type of solar cooker you use, always wear sunglasses! Originally found at “gaiam. com/product/hot+pot+simple+solar+cooker.do”.
The Box Solar Cooker
Box Solar Cookers have an insulated box, topped with a transparent glass or plastic cover and a reflector or reflectors that help heat the box. Temperatures inside the box can reach 400 degrees F and cooking can be done almost unattended, like a slow cooker. This cooker is preferable to a parabolic if small children are around.
The solar cooker box in the picture uses mylar on plastic flute board for the reflectors and the inside of the box is aluminum sheet metal. This model can be made at home. (See the youtube video at end of page.) Solar Cookers International has more information on their website.
The Parabolic Solar Cooker
The Parabolic Solar Cooker (or Curved Concentrator solar cooker) concentrates the sun’s heat onto the bottom or the sides of a pot—similar to a stovetop. Temperatures can get so hot that you can fry food or pop popcorn.
The advantages are speed and the potential to cook when it is cool outside. The disadvantages are safety concerns (as to eyes and children) and the need to stir the contents of the pot so the food does not stick, just like a stovetop. Temperatures can reach above 400 degrees Fahrenheit in the pot. The parabolic cooker might also need adjustment to keep it faced toward the sun. Information can be found at the Solar Cooking Wiki.
The GoSun Solar Cooker
This new solar cooker—winner of a 2016 CES Innovation Award—doesn’t fit into any of the traditional categories. You slide your food into an glass vacuum tube surrounded by parabolic reflectors. The vacuum effect helps hold the heat—internal temperatures get up to 550F, as hot as any gas-powered grill. The GoSun Sport sells for $279; the larger $799 GoSun Grill is available for pre-order.
More Panel Solar Cookers
The Cookit
CooKits are produced independently in 25 countries from a wide variety of materials at a cost of $3 – $7 US. Go to Solar Cooking International for more information on the Cookit.
Aluminized Panel Cooker
If well-maintained these aluminized panel cookers will last for a few months. Various models can be seen at Libero.
Fun Panel
The Fun Panel. This design can also be made in cement with mirrored reflectors. Instructions to make this solar cooker can be found here.
Homemade Cooker
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPs6XADFAfa/
Made from foil panels, this homemade solar cooker is able to get the job done.
Sheet Metal
Just two bent pieces of sheet metal. Go to Solar Cookers Interational on wikia.org for more information.
Octagon Cooker
Octagon solar cooker or Clear Dome
This panel cooker has 8 sides. Its deeply tapered concentrator is fully adjustable. Uses mirror-like AA (coated anodized aluminum) that will fry an egg in 12 minutes. Need to re-position every two hours or so. Reaches 350 degrees F on a sunny, dry day. $190. See www.cleardomesolar.com for more.
Marshmallow Solar Cooker
A do it yourself marshmallow solar panel cooker. (Gelatin-free, please!) You can find instructions here… and other creative activities at this source.
More Solar Box Cookers
The Kyoto Box
The Kyoto solar cooker. Two cardboard boxes, some black paint, aluminum foil and a glass cover. See www.kyoto-energy.com for their pre-made boxes, biomass cookers and solar shower bags. The full story can be found at CNet.
Colativo Solar Cooker
Some really well done bananas. This box is used to help the Nicaraguan community. Find additional information at the Solar Cooking Wiki.
A Sturdy Solar Box
This one looks like it will last a while. Solar Cooking International has more photographs on their website.
The Portable Cooker
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWc1s2KjtBx/
The portability of this solar cooker makes it great for travel. All you have to do is close the box and carry it to your next adventure!
Pyramid Cooker
The Pyramid Solar Cooker – face it toward the sun and go for a hike… www.cleardomesolar.com. This photo was found on the Solar Cooking Wiki.
More Parabolic Solar Cookers
Local Parabolic Cooker
These parabolic solar cookers are manufactured by locals in their country of use. Additional information can be found at Ecoandina.
Perfect for sunny, high altitude, dry locations. Feel free to explore more on Ecoandina’s Website.
Balcony Cooker
The Balcony Solar Cooker takes away the threat of animal theft and a potential child’s injury. Note the user is wearing sunglasses. Solar Cooking Wiki has more information on their website.
Solar Cooker From Australia
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV8erTxDREY/
A great way to heat up your water for a nice cup of tea!
Barbaboa Cooker
The Barbaboa Cooker. A do it yourself umbrella solar cooker. Solar Cookers International provides more details on their website.
Solar Cooker With An Upgrade
A fancier version. The extended feet will help with positioning the panels just right. You can browse the Solar Cooking Wiki for more information.
Close-Up
Up close. Notice that the pot is black to retain heat. Additional information can be found at the Solar Cooking Wiki.
Square Solar Cooker
A square parabolic solar cooker. The “Solar Cooker Designs” section of the Solar Cooking Wiki has more information you can use.
Yellow-Rimmed Cooker
Painting the bottom of the pot black helps the pot absorb the heat. This photo was found on the Solar Cooking Wiki.
Re-Used Satellite
Old satellite dishes are perfect frames – here the pot hangs. Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has additional information on their website.
The Papillion
The Papillion. Easy to get to the pot and if the food boils over it will not dirty your reflectors. This photo was originally found at “www.solar-papillon. com”.
Using Sun Fire
Another simple winged cooker in Somalia. Photographs and information can be found at Sun Fire Cooking’s website.
Foil Solar Cooker
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVXbryRF0O6/
Using reflective foil is a great way to build your own solar cooker.
Integrated Solar Cooker
Many solar cookers are now being integrated into a structure. Information can be found at the wiki for solar cooking.
Villager Sun Oven
Villager Sun Oven can reach 500 degrees F. it can cook 1200 meals a day. Villager Sun Ovens are currently in use in 55 countries around the world. Find out more from the Solar Cooking Wiki.
Green Solar Cooker
The Tiny Tec parabolic solar cooker. $270 includes shipping. www.solarcooker-at-cantinawest.com
A smaller Octagon Parabola called Clear Dome looks good as well. www.shop.senecaelectronicsonline.com $198.
Sun Scoop—designed to be made locally in third world cities with simple basic hand tools. Materials for construction can be substituted. Cooking temp is 250F on cool sunny days- cake takes 1.5 hr to bake. variables in sun and amount of food affect cooking time a bit.
How To Make A Solar Cooker
(always good to have around during hurricane season)
Many designs – Panel, Box and Parabolic
Pizza Box Type
“www.solarnow. org/pizzabx.htm” Make a solar oven from pizza boxes.
Panel Cooker Plans
Panel Type
Box Type
Parabolic Type
Making a Parabolic Reflector Out of a Flat Sheet
The Solar Cooking Wiki
Check it out for lots more inspiration
solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Parabolic_solar_reflectors
Solar Cookers In Developing Countries
The World Health Organization has found that “indoor air pollution from solid fuel use is responsible for more than 1.6 million annual deaths and 2.7% of the global burden of disease.” Plus, 45% of the world’s wood is used as fuel – which is becoming scarcer and scarcer.
- Solar Cookers International
- Center for Development of Solar Energy CEDESOL (Bolivia)
- Foundation EcoAndina (Bolivia – in Spanish)
- Foundation for Sustainable Technologies FoST (Nepal)
- Grupo Fenix (Nicaragua)
- Practical Action – International Technology Development Group
- Solar Household Energy SHE (Central America and Africa)
- Solare Bruecke (Germany)
- Sun Ovens International (Worldwide)
Hello, very good article! I advice also this link about the umbrella solar cooker: https://www.mpptsolar.com/uk/solar-cooker-umbrella.html
I was impressed with the sheer variety of solar cookers displayed on your website, some of which I had never before seen. I am having so much fun with my new SunPower solar cooker so much that I made a YouTube video of it to share with others. You can see it by going to OneLightDancing.com. Feel free to add it to you impressive collection of solar cookers.
I am trying to make a flat solar cooker with flat cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil and wires going all the way around the flat cooker and wires making an X, where the X meets i am trying to make a bowl made of just aluminum and i am going to set the bowl where the X meets. Do you think that it will actually cook a marshmallow or hersheys bar for a science experiment at school because i am not sure that it will work. I am afraid that i will get a bad graid on it. I need this question answered by tomorrow which would be May 3rd 2012. Thank you for reading this and hopefully you will answer my question on this website.Thank you bye, bye. please call 911 if you have any guestions.
Re: Request for Permission to Use Materials
Dear Content Owner:
EcoRise Youth Innovations is an Austin, TX based non-profit organization whose mission is to empower a new generation of “green leaders” to propel their schools and communities toward a better future. EcoRise works with high school teachers to create curriculum and opportunities for students to develop literacy, leadership and hands-on participation in the design and creation of projects that showcase solutions to issues involving water, energy and the environment. Please visit https://www.ecorise.org for more details.
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Although we have been advised that our use of the Material is so-called “fair use” under copyright law, we prefer to ask your permission for the rights to include the Material as described above. We cannot pay any fee for our use, but will give you attribution/credit in our materials, as well as our sincere “THANKS” for your cooperation.
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Gina LaMotte
EcoRise Youth Innovations
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Austin, Texas 78702
(512) 483-1057
Re: Request for Permission to Use Materials
Dear Content Owner:
EcoRise Youth Innovations is an Austin, TX based non-profit organization whose mission is to empower a new generation of “green leaders” to propel their schools and communities toward a better future. EcoRise works with high school teachers to create curriculum and opportunities for students to develop literacy, leadership and hands-on participation in the design and creation of projects that showcase solutions to issues involving water, energy and the environment. Please visit https://www.ecorise.org for more details.
We have a favor to ask of you. We believe that you own or control the rights to an image, illustration or other material (the “Material”) that we would like to use in a power point presentation lesson plan for students. The use of the Material will not be for profit and will be directly related to training and teaching as part of our work.
The Material is an image titled: sunspot.org.uk.jpeg
The image can be found on this website: https://www.princeton.edu/engineering/news/archive/?id=446
Although we have been advised that our use of the Material is so-called “fair use” under copyright law, we prefer to ask your permission for the rights to include the Material as described above. We cannot pay any fee for our use, but will give you attribution/credit in our materials, as well as our sincere “THANKS” for your cooperation.
Please acknowledge that you are in agreement by return email by November 31, 2012, so that we can have a record for our files.
In the event that you do not want to grant permission, please let us know immediately so that we can take steps to delete the Material from our power point presentation.
If you do not own or control the rights to the Material, please advise us of that and, whom we should contact to get permission to use the Material (if you know).
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If you have any questions or comments, please respond to jake@ecorise.org
Gina LaMotte
EcoRise Youth Innovations
Executive Director
2921 E. 17th Street
Austin, Texas 78702
(512) 483-1057
Re: Request for Permission to Use Materials
Dear Content Owner:
EcoRise Youth Innovations is an Austin, TX based non-profit organization whose mission is to empower a new generation of “green leaders” to propel their schools and communities toward a better future. EcoRise works with high school teachers to create curriculum and opportunities for students to develop literacy, leadership and hands-on participation in the design and creation of projects that showcase solutions to issues involving water, energy and the environment. Please visit https://www.ecorise.org for more details.
We have a favor to ask of you. We believe that you own or control the rights to an image, illustration or other material (the “Material”) that we would like to use in a power point presentation lesson plan for students. The use of the Material will not be for profit and will be directly related to training and teaching as part of our work.
The Material are images titled: Ajays%20square%20parabola and parabolic-solar-cooker-on-ground
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Although we have been advised that our use of the Material is so-called “fair use” under copyright law, we prefer to ask your permission for the rights to include the Material as described above. We cannot pay any fee for our use, but will give you attribution/credit in our materials, as well as our sincere “THANKS” for your cooperation.
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In the event that you do not want to grant permission, please let us know immediately so that we can take steps to delete the Material from our power point presentation.
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Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If you have any questions or comments, please respond to jake@ecorise.org
Gina LaMotte
EcoRise Youth Innovations
Executive Director
2921 E. 17th Street
Austin, Texas 78702
(512) 483-1057
Re: Request for Permission to Use Materials
Dear Content Owner:
I’d like to apologize for posting excessively.
EcoRise Youth Innovations is an Austin, TX based non-profit organization whose mission is to empower a new generation of “green leaders” to propel their schools and communities toward a better future. EcoRise works with high school teachers to create curriculum and opportunities for students to develop literacy, leadership and hands-on participation in the design and creation of projects that showcase solutions to issues involving water, energy and the environment. Please visit https://www.ecorise.org for more details.
We have a favor to ask of you. We believe that you own or control the rights to an image, illustration or other material (the “Material”) that we would like to use in a power point presentation lesson plan for students. The use of the Material will not be for profit and will be directly related to training and teaching as part of our work.
The Material are images titled: parabolic-solar-cooker-on-ground; papillion.jpeg; solarcooking.org.jpeg; solar%20cooker%20cardboard; gaiam-hot-pot-solar-cooker.jpeg; panel%20cooker%20sheet%20metal; cookit4_large.jpeg
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Although we have been advised that our use of the Material is so-called “fair use” under copyright law, we prefer to ask your permission for the rights to include the Material as described above. We cannot pay any fee for our use, but will give you attribution/credit in our materials, as well as our sincere “THANKS” for your cooperation.
Please acknowledge that you are in agreement by return email by November 31, 2012, so that we can have a record for our files.
In the event that you do not want to grant permission, please let us know immediately so that we can take steps to delete the Material from our power point presentation.
If you do not own or control the rights to the Material, please advise us of that and, whom we should contact to get permission to use the Material (if you know).
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If you have any questions or comments, please respond to this email.
Gina LaMotte
EcoRise Youth Innovations
Executive Director
2921 E. 17th Street
Austin, Texas 78702
(512) 483-1057
Greetings from Mexico. I produce parabolic solar concetrator.
I am happy with this technology…
go ahead to diseminate the technology.
my best regards
Very cool.
Sugarbombs!!!!!!!
i am called Muluneh Aniley. I am from Ethiopia. Now iam graduated from Jimma University in Bsc in natural Science (physics). I made some project on box type solar cooker in order to evaluate its performance under Jimma air condition so that i have plan to develop this project to the society if I could get help. so let me to be your member
i am called Muluneh Aniley. I am from Ethiopia. Now iam graduated from Jimma University in Bsc in natural Science (physics). I made some project on box type solar cooker in order to evaluate its performance under Jimma air condition so that i have plan to develop this project to the society if I could get help. so let me to be your member
send me your response on my email please.
well done for your work. I observed much of the cooker you had built, if it is the will of God i will try to build some of them at my area and take part in fighting for global warming.
let me to be your members please
That really interesting and always new. Everybody can, you know!
A Parabola is a section of a cone. Easy to copy and draft. Made 6 foot in diameter, 27.8 sq.ft. Solar Thermal Eletric Power ‘Energy Boss 9s’ ‘Sun Catcher’ 25 Kw peak. The End
We are the manufacturer of solar box cookers, solar parabolic cookers, Solar community cookers, Solar Dryers, Solar Community Kitchens, Solar LED Street Lights, Roof Top Solar Power Projects. We are interested in developing good network for supply of our products ranges all over the india. Specially we have own in house manufacturing of solar Cookers and solar dryers. Any Inquiry related to this please Do contact us.
BKR Solar Pvt. Ltd.
Plot No. 81/6/1, Phase-1,
GIDC, Vatva,
Ahmedabad
Gujarat-382445,
India.
I would like to offer my free solar cooker to be listed with the others here on your pages. It can be found by searching for Purple Fig Solar Cooker. It cost less than $5 to make.
Thank you Sharon Clausson
I’m interested to partner with any interested fabricating green stoves to help us save African women.We based in Awka,Nigeria.We design many green stoves/dryers,incubators,powerless freezers.
We are looking to take solar cooking, dryer, powerless freezers and waterless toilets to Morocco and would be glad to hear from anyone wishing to share knowledge
The title was just to get seen.
I need help making a solar cooker.
I dont know where to get the materials for one.
I am only 9 and i really shouldnt be smart enough to be writing this.
We wish to manufacture/distribute simple solar ovens for tribal and rural village communites in India.
Anand Veeraraj, PhD
Author: ‘Green History of Religion’
Good to determine all people posting! Great luck to all, except against me!
i need to by more than 100 solar dish if possible please contact me.
my email address is abdul.khalid@helvetas.org and khaled_omarzy@yahoo.com
thanks
This article has helped me a lot 4 my school project. Love yaaaa…..
Hello,
I’d like to know if I may use the first image (panel solar cooker) that is shown on your solar cookers page to post on our website advertising a solar cooking class? Also, I might want to show some of the other images on same page during the class to show different kinds of cookers. Do I have permission?
Thank you, Sonya Norman
got to try some of these products !
DR JOE OKEKE IS READY TO TRAIN ALL AFRICAN RURAL WOMEN TO MASTER,SOLAR OVEN,SOLAR DRYERS,SOLAR INCUBATORS,AND FRIDGE WITHOUT POWER FREE>
CONTACT ME TODAY.
unclejoeokeke@gmail.com
hello
I like your clean and simple page. The all season solar cooker would fit in well with your page and I would love to see it listed.
I do not agree. Read that:
https://sondasmcschatter.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/solar-cooking-in-south-dakota-with-my-hot-pot-solar-cooker/ Best regards, Deja
Nice, but may we use solar cooker for BRICK BAKING work?