Chicken Coops

Friday, November 19, 2010

Harnessing the Most Plentiful Source of Energy on Earth


Solar Cookery was a surprisingly popular station at the SkillShare. We relished the opportunity to show off the humble box cooker that Judy made two summers ago. What fun to share the solar-baked granola and sun-roasted pumpkin seeds I'd been saving in the freezer for the occasion. Especially fun was explaining how well it works with all kinds of dishes, from stews to desserts - even a whole chicken.

Why cook with the sun?*
  • It saves money and time.
  • It's healthful and delicious.
  • It's safe and kind to the environment.
  • It's empowering.
  • It draws you closer to nature and the rest of the world.
  • It's fun and satisfying.

You can use a solar cooker if:*

  • you live between the 60th parallels of latitude on Planet Earth
  • your cooker remains unshaded for at least four hours between 9am and 4pm
  • your shadow is longer than your height
  • your cooker gets at least 20 minutes of sun per hour on a cloudy day

Food safety concerns:*

  • Raw refrigerated or frozen food remains cold enough to prevent bacteria growth until the sun starts to heat up the cooker.
  • Food heats up quickly to the point where harmful microbes are killed, at 160 degrees.
  • Cooked food should be kept above 125 degrees or below 50 degrees to keep haramful bacteria from growing.

Materials needed:*

  • Two cardboard boxes
  • Insulating material (crumpled up newspapers, fiberglass batting, straw)
  • Aluminum foil
  • A pane of clear glass
  • Tape, glue, and sharp utility knife
Follow Judy's step-by-step instructions on how to make a solar cooker (cat optional). You can also use online plans or those in Cooking with Sunshine or Solar Cooking for Home and Camp.

*Source: Anderson, L , Palkoovic R, Cooking with Sunshine, Da Capo Press 2004

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