Cook With a Solar Oven

A solar cooker

Regular cooking expends a great deal of energy.  From pre-heating the oven, baking, and then allowing it to cool down, there has to be a greener, more economical way to cook food, don’t you agree?

Have you ever cooked with a solar oven?  Also known as solar cookers, solar ovens use the heat of the sun to efficiently cook meals.  There are a number of models of these gadgets from sleek to basic.  Set it out on your patio or deck.  Much like a crock pot or slow cooker, you can place your food inside and walk away.  Dinner will be ready in approximately 2-4 hours.

Solar ovens have literally changed lives in third world countries lacking electricity.  The ability to prepare a meal without having to chop down trees for fuel also helps conserve energy – human time and effort.

Want to see how easy it is?  Check out this video:

If you want to go greener in 2009, here are some resources for finding or even building your own solar oven.

Plans for Solar Cookers

Solar Oven Society

Solar Direct

Solar Cookers

Watch how to build your own solar oven:

I would love it if Santa would bring me a solar oven this year!  Anything to help feed our four kids and cut down on electrical and natural gas expenses.

What do you think of solar ovens?   Would you use one?

Tags: solar cooker, solar oven