The beauty of a solar oven is you can use it like a slow cooker. You simply point it in the direction where you expect the sun to hit it face on by midday. Throughout the day, the reflectors catch the sun and direct the energy to the oven throughout the day. Because the oven is not pointed directly at the sun the whole day, the oven temperature does not get as high or maintain as long. Or you can speed up the process by rotating the oven to follow the sun throughout the day. For the past few hours, I have been monitoring the temperature without moving the oven, and it has maintained approximately 250 degrees. Most slow cookers range from 170-300 degrees roughly converted from the wattage they use. Anything below 165 degrees opens up the danger of bacteria and food-borne illnesses.
Today, after following the cleaning instructions, I decided to take it for a spin. I pulled some frozen cookie dough balls out and let them sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes to soften. I really should have preheated the oven, but I didn't and put the cookies in at around 170 degrees. The oven temperature steadily rose to about 300 degrees by the time the cookies were done. It took them 40 minutes to bake, but I know I could have cut that time in half by preheating. Also, I slightly overbaked them. I like my cookies chewier and these came out crisper than I like. I definitely need some practice using the oven. Overall, they baked up beautifully, and I'm so pleased!
Cookie anyone?
I just put some carrots in to cook for supper to which I hope to eventually add some leftover chicken from last night to warm through. The sun keeps going behind the clouds, so I will keep an eye on the thermometer and see what happens.
Happy solar cooking,
Candace
P.S. Never buy anything from Mom's Green Earth.
This is a really great post! I had heard of these ovens because they are used in developing countries but think it is fantastic that you decided to use one yourself. Of course, it does depend on the climate of your location :) How do you find it operates under overcast or cloudy skies?
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
This Good Life
TGL: I love the idea of free sustainable energy, and this seemed a perfect way to harness some sun energy. I'm looking forward to learning how to use it efficiently, and with 95+ degree weather, I really need to monitor my oven usage in the house. Since I just used it for the first time today, I'm no expert, but here's what I know. You do need sunlight, although not direct (the reflectors help out with that), and it has a leg on the back which allows you to raise or lower it to catch the sun depending on its location on the horizon, such as a lower sun in wintertime. Today was fairly cloudy, but even when the sun went behind the clouds, it maintained a pretty consistent temperature of 250.
ReplyDeleteI love the title of this post! I've got plans for a homemade solar cooker, so you're inspiring me to get the materials and get going. I have read that UV levels make a difference. Like you, I'm all for free energy.
ReplyDeleteHi Candace!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty impressive. I wonder how effective it would be in a Northern European climate. How do you like it so far?
Just letting you know I wrote a mini-review of a number of blogs I like on my blog and it includes yours. I hope it generates you a little more traffic and interest.
You can find the post here:
http://this-good-life.blogspot.com/2011/07/through-blogging-door.html
Blessings,
This Good Life
Leigh: I've also read humidity levels make a difference as well, and it's humid here in GA. Would love to hear about your oven when it happens.
ReplyDeleteTGL: I love it so far and will be posting more on it soon. They are used all over the world, so I'm sure they would work where you are. You just need sun. Thanks for the shout-out! I'm honored.