Serious Solar Cookers

 Skip the S’mores in Pizza Box Solar Ovens or Pringles Solar Oven. They barely melt chocolate. Yes, your kiddos will still want to try!   Instead do a deep dive into Solar cooking—the types designed for developing countries. We’re looking at Solar Cookers.  Solar Cookers, International’s website has more designs with cooking temperature which can be achieved with different types of solar cookers.  Here is a research article about a standard box oven.  Note the test was for 300 g. of rice; cooking time is between 2-2 1/2 hours.  Here is a guide to cook times.  Here is a review of commercial solar ovens and cookers.  Here is a research article explaining why solar cookers didn’t work in a refugee camp in Africa, identifying issues barring women from adopting solar cookers.  It looks as though a solar cooker is a slooow cooker.  Cast iron pots or pans should help hold heat.  You absolutely need a sunny day.  Solar Cooking is one of those projects which captivates kiddos.  Let them start building a solar oven with cardboard boxes and newspaper.