If you have not heard of solar or sun cooking and baking, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Cooking with the sun has been around for quite some time. The first documented research and successful results of solar cooking or baking was in 1767 by a French-Swiss physicist, Horace de Saussure.
It was not until the past decade that a more concerted effort has been made to develop an oven/cooker that would effectively utilize the energy of the sun for this purpose. Until the recent overwhelming increase in the cost of nonrenewable fuels such as fuel oil, gas and natural gas, there has not been a sense of urgency to find alternative sources of energy. Now there is more emphasis on greenhouse gases produced from burning fossil fuels, coal, wood and petroleum products.
In the past, electric power and natural gas have provided a cheap and convenient source of energy for powering or stoves and ovens, eliminating the need to pursue alternative sources of energy such as the sun. No one can deny that the earth is going through a change in climate, whether caused by man or a natural reoccurring cycle. If man is the cause of climate change through the "Greenhouse Gas Effect," then it would behoove us to do our share in preventing further damage to our ozone. We can reduce the size of our individual carbon footprint by cutting back on our consumption of nonrenewable resources.
One way to accomplish this is by utilizing the sun's energy through the use of solar panels and by baking and cooking a portion of our meals with a solar sun oven or cooker. Anything that can be cooked in a conventional oven can be cooked in a sun oven. From the moment a sufficiently designed solar oven is placed into position, pointing at the sun, it will reach 300 to 400 degrees F. within 25 minutes. If the solar oven has the proper reflectors and insulation, it will more easily maintain a constant temperature, even on a partly cloudy day, resulting in a more efficient appliance.
Some amazing facts about the sun oven are:
o You cannot burn food using the sun's rays to cook with.
o There are no "hot spots," so the food needs no stirring.
o You never need to add additional water to what you are cooking.
o Food does not dry out as it can in a conventional oven.
o Food cooks more evenly in a solar sun oven/ cooker.
o Vitamins and nutrients are not diminished cooking solar.
o You cannot overcook food using a solar sun oven.
o Sun baked; steamed or cooked food tastes much better.
o The fuel source is free and non-polluting "green energy".
In conclusion, the main factors to be aware of in choosing the best sun oven are:
o Should be warranted for a minimum of 10 years.
o Should be able to reach and maintain 300 to 400 degrees F.
o Should be well insulated and not be warm to the touch on the outside.
o Should utilize reflectors for maximum energy control.
o Should incorporate a tempered-glass oven door to protect food and hold heat.
o Should be easy to clean and maintain.
o Should be lightweight and portable.
o Design should allow oven to be tilted to receive the sun without spilling food.
Sun cooking can be economical, fun, healthy and nutritious, enjoyable and kind to the environment. Join the hundreds of thousands of people around the world in over 128 countries that have discovered a new way of cooking and a new way of living cleaner. Solar is the future, if it is not already too late.
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