The different types of solar cooker

The Different Types Of Solar Cooker

In sunnier countries, solar cooking is known as the alternative cooking method. In recent years, interest in solar cookers has been growing, and they are gradually becoming more and more popular. Even so, this cooking method is still little-known by the general public, yet it has many advantages: it’s free energy, it’s environmentally-friendly, and it preserves micronutrients.

Whether or not you’re familiar with solar energy and, more specifically, solar cookers, this article should be of interest to you. Did you know that there are a multitude of solar cookers? Each one is tailored to your needs. Do you know the differences, advantages and disadvantages of each type of solar cooker? One thing’s for sure: after reading this article, you’ll probably fall for a solar cooker…

We’ll be talking about box, panel and tube furnaces…

Box-type solar cookers are the best-known models of all. This is a box that can be made of cork, as in the case of the Suntaste, with a glass lid. Once closed, the sun’s rays penetrate the box through the double glazing. The sun’s rays are projected directly onto the metal lining at the bottom, heating the sheet metal. The temperature inside the box will gradually rise, and the glass and insulating material in the walls help prevent heat loss.

The Solar Family’s opinion

“Box-type solar furnaces are highly efficient, reaching temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius. Please visit our comparison chart to find out more.”

Tubular Solar Ovens

The second most popular type of oven is the tubular solar oven, which works like a thermos. This type of oven has a double-glazed wall. Inside the conduit is a layer of metal. As the sun’s rays are captured, the material heats up and the heat generated is retained in the tube. Like a thermostat, it’s an excellent insulator that prevents heat loss. There’s no risk of burns, as the surface of the cooker remains cool at all times. To insert your food, simply slide out the tubular “drawer” – you can then place the food you want in the tube before closing it. This tubular system is both simple and effective.

The Solar Family’s opinion

Tubular solar furnaces can reach temperatures of up to 280 degrees. They are very practical and allow you to insert your food very easily. Visit the SunGood 360 which is the fastest-rising solar oven/barbecue. You can prepare a meal for two in 20 minutes. Feel free to visit our comparison chart  to find out more.

Solar Cookers With Panels

Panelized solar cookers are made up of one or more reflecting mirrors that concentrate sunlight on a cooking pot – these are open cookers. With this type of solar cooker, the cooking pot plays a key role. This is what captures the sun’s rays and transforms them into heat. You must therefore be very careful when choosing your cooking pot and use a pot and dark. With panel solar ovens, we place the cooking pot in the center of the oven to capture the sun’s rays. For a totally successful experience, you need to enclose the cooking pot in a reusable cooking bag for life, supplied with the SunGood pack +. This will keep the pot warm and raise the temperature. You can also replace the cooking bag with an upside-down salad bowl.

The Solar Family’s opinion

Solar panel ovens can reach high temperatures, depending on the surface area of the panels. We designed the SunGood an ultra-compact, foldable solar panel oven weighing just 950g. Feel free to visit our comparison chart to find out more.

Parabolic Solar Cookers

Parabolic solar cookers consist of a parabolic reflector. The shiny surfaces catch the sun’s rays and concentrate them to reflect them back onto the dish for cooking. The larger the parabola, the higher the heat output. For example, with a 1m40 diameter dish, we can boil several liters of water in about 30 minutes.

The Solar Family’s opinion

“Parabolic solar cookers are highly efficient, reaching temperatures of up to 230 degrees in just 10 minutes! The solar oven/barbecue SunGlobe  allows you to cook wherever you are. It deploys easily in just one minute, without tools. Feel free to visit our comparison chart to find out more.

If you’re not sure of your choice and would like to discuss it with us to validate it, we invite you to contact us via our chat or write to us at family@solarbrother.com or call us from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm on 01 42 36 15 07.