Types of Solar Cooking

There are two primary ways to cook directly with solar energy.

• Solar Ovens will work best in countries closer to the equator, on sunny days. They can't be used at night, and the efficiency is hard to control due to their reliance on natural direction and intensity of light.

• Solar Dehydrators use ventilation and solar energy to dehydrate foods that might otherwise go to waste. This is a good method for herbs, chilis, tea leaves, mushroom, vegetables, and fruits.

If you have access to solar panels or a utility company that offers renewables such as solar, you can also use electric devices powered by solar.

Sun Drying Resources

• Why Sun Dry Fruits & Vegetables Lists health benefits and a short list of appropriate foods for sun drying.

• National Center for Home Food Preservation: Drying This resource page talks explains which foods can safely be dried outside, vs which should be preserved indoors with more a more easily controlled environment. It then explains methods and equipment including a diagram.

Solar Dehydrator Resources

Kitchen Appliances

• Use an electric kettle or microwave to heat water or other liquids. These are much faster and more efficient than heating on a stove.

• Microwaves are fast, energy efficient, and can save water. Microwaves are amazing for heating potatoes. You just take off any unhealthy looking parts on or under the skin, stab the potato with a fork or knife a few times, and heat on a microwave-safe plate for ~3 minutes on each side for large potatoes. Cook for longer if you have a large bowl of potatoes for roasting or mashing.

• Electric stove tops don't leak dangerous gases while they are off, like gas stoves do. They are also more efficient, only heating the pot or pan on each circle, will less space for heat to escape then the earlier oven models.

Efficiency Tricks

By Food Type

• Microwave Potatoes to save time and the environment. You can make potatoes saltier and tastier by boiling them (do this before roasting them in an oven), but if you just want potatoes for mashing, or are going to put the potatoes into something like a curry or stew, then this can save energy and water. Acidic sauces with ingredients like lemon juice or tomato sauce will stop certain foods like potatoes from cooking even after many hours of heating. Boiling in water usually takes around 30 minutes, but you can put 1-3 potatoes and microwave them for about 1:30 -3:30 on each side till they are soft when tested with a fork. Skin off any damaged skin or weird looking pieces of potatoes, and stab each potato a few times on each side to let the internal juices escape as steam.

• Squeeze your raw potatoes (or other roots) before making hash browns as this not only ensures they are crunchier, but they seem to cook faster too.

Tips for Success

Equipment with Doors

• Keep oven doors shut as much as possible, otherwise you loose heat, and things will take longer to cook.

Pots & Pans

If using a pot, keep the lid on pot the pot to reduce energy needs and speed up the cooking process. If you are trying to "reduce" your food, then leave the lid off, and you may want to leave the lid off or to the side to allow steam escape if you want something like a pudding to set instead of going watery as it cools.

Solar Dehydrators & Ovens

• Install or use a nearby fan for increased air flow if your food is not drying reasonably well or evenly. Alternatively you may be able to simply move the dehydrator to a location with better air flow, perhaps away from a wall or bushes, and into a more open area or the edge of a balcony.

• Make sure your solar cooker or dehydrator is angled towards the sun. As the sun moves across the sky, the device may become more shaded or catch less direct light as the sun's angle changes.

This Technology Pairs Well With...

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