Very cool, Lorna. That reminds me of reflecting solar hot dog cookers that we made in school in the seventies.

Peace.

ThinMan

Oh how cool! I saw these on Path to Freedom a while back and was intrigued. I don't think we get enough sun or warm weather to utilize one, though. But it's a wonderful idea.

Tracy

I was thinking of making the one out of a pizza box to try. I've wanted one not just to cut down on gas costs but to keep the house cool in the summer by not turning on the oven!

These are wonderful, aren't they!

GGG

Is that something you bought or made? Sources/resources please.

Ana

Lorna,

I would love to hear more about your oven, as well. A solar oven really intriques me.

I basically don't use my oven at all during the summer months, but our outdoor grill and toaster oven certainly get a work out! I'm anxious to hear more about your experiences with the solar oven.

Marilyn

Wow, I have never heard of these but then again they wouldn't work up here in our climate. I'd love to see a pic of yours though, what a wonderful invention.
Annette

The brand of my solar oven is Sun Oven. If you do a search on solar ovens, you can find recipes, instructions for making sun ovens, or ovens for purchase. They've come down in price a bit over the years. I paid $225 for mine a few years ago. I figured it was a lifetime investment. I checked for a friend last year, and found one Web site selling Sun Ovens for $175.

There are various types of solar cookers. Some are small and pretty much only meant for boiling water at a campsite (for those dehydrated, instant meals). My Sun Oven heats up very quickly. The instructions say not to let it heat up whilst empty, but I have let mine heat for ten minutes or so empty. They say to at least put a rock inside!

Cookware is supposed to be black to absorb the rays of the sun. I have used glass cookware, such as a glass loaf pan, when baking meatloaf. I once baked a pie in a glass pie plate. Both items turned out well. One has to remember to take potholders outside and use them!

There have been a few times the weather changed after I began solar cooking, clouds rolled in obscurring the sun. I had to finish the cooking in the house.

One does have to tend a solar oven. It has to be turned slightly every hour so that it is always directly facing the sun. The shadow of the oven should be behind the oven, that is how you know it is directly facing the sun. There is an adjustable leg at the back of the oven to create angles for sun catching, if necessary.

When doing quick breads and cakes, it is okay if the temperature goes lower than stated on your recipe. The item takes longer to bake, but there is no problem with that. With meat you don't want the temperature to go lower than 200 degrees because bacterial problems could develop.

A number of people have seen my oven in use and been jazzed at the idea. One workman excitedly exclaimed that he would buy one to take on his week long camping trips.

My kitchen range uses very little propane, so I haven't noticed much of a savings in cost of energy. The big bonus for me is the fun of cooking outdoors, and not heating up the house.

Here is one link: http://www.solarovens.net/
They have a new item called a Solar Hot Pot, like a crockpot.

Lorna

This is the one Path to Freedom sells:
http://www.peddlerswagon.com/p-173-sport-solar-oven.aspx

It's $150 and they rave about it and have sold quite a few, from what I recall.

Tracy

After reading the advertising maybe they would work up here. Something to think about.
Annette

You guys find the coolest toys - I love it!!!