Solar ovens.
 

I have just done a forum search on solar ovens. Surely this has been discussed to death, but I can't find any info so I started this thread. I have different ways to cook my food storage ranging from a portable BBQ to a teeny "wood stove" that uses twigs, garbage, etc.

I would like to have a decent solar stove as well to cook my preps.

Anyone wanna talk solar stoves/ovens?

All things solar welcome.

--An example I found if anyone cares to nitpick it: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWA:IT&ih=003

Re: Solar ovens.
 

I own one of these, as a matter of fact, and have actually used it to bake a loaf of bread. But that takes a cloudless summer sky. I used it, too, to bake a meatloaf and cook vegetables and rice. It can also be used to sterilize water. My only caveat about solar ovens in general is that there are many, many days in NW Indiana when the weather makes them totally useless. But, in an energy-starved world, I wouldn't be without one. Actually, it would be nice to own several because it would be hard to cook a complete meal for a family in just one oven. There are many plans posted on the Internet for homemade ovens. That would make a nice summer project for me this year.

Re: Solar ovens.
 

I think <slv> "SLV<slv>" was working on a design a while ago.

He might be a good source of info.</slv></slv>

Re: Solar ovens.
 

I got one awhile back, and finally broke it out yesterday. Paid about what's being asked here. If you price them out on the web, you'll find that you'll pay around $260 or better with shipping. Some sites price them low and jack up the shipping, some price them higher and the shipping's reasonable.

Here's where I got mine:
http://shop.solardirect.com/product_...0f741f1e1acae2

I would recommend getting the pot with it. Yes, it's small and it seems a bit pricey, but it will hold a 3 lb. roast or 3 or 4 lbs. of meat. But I've looked for pots small enough to fit in this oven and haven't had any luck. I think Walmart sells one small enough, but it's blue Graniteware and not black. The dark blue would probably do almost as well as the black, but I've got to relook the size again before I try it out.

Anyway, I live in the panhandle of FL. The manufacturer says that hot humid weather is actually not good for these ovens - they do better in low humidity conditions. I got a late start, and put four small potatoes and 5 large chicken breasts in at about 4 p.m. The max temp in the oven registered 250, which gradually declined as the sun went down. At about 6:30, I pulled them off. The potatoes were hot, but only one of them seemed soft enough to be done. The chicken was nowhere near done.

So the stuff's in the fridge until tomorrow - I was gone all day and it was raining on and off, so I decided to wait until tomorrow to resume. I'm thinking I'll get some decent temperatures early-morning and mid-day, so we'll see. I'll post the results when I have a chance.

Re: Solar ovens.
 

I'm looking for a more versatile system.

Apparently, if you can find a large satellite dish, you can glue/epoxy small, rectangular mirrors (like those found in cosmetics) bought in bulk to make a very good concentrator. Then you can focus this on things like:
1. A griddle (I would advise it being focused on a black backplate)
2. A brick oven (should accumulate heat very nicely in low sunlight and and retain it).
3. A black cauldron (double boiling, steaming, etc...alter size and salinity based on your temperature requirements).
4. A crucible
5. A hot water heater (be careful not to let it get too hot!)

I plan to set these types of targets on wheels/carts so I can easily change them out. But this will all have to wait until I get my own place.

The best concentrators are parabolic, but no one makes inexpensive ones. There's an MIT startupthat intends to do so eventually but they aren't giving out any real details yet...Besides, I don't want the integrated water/steam system.

Re: Solar ovens.
 

Good memory! I've built the frame for my prototype, and I have the custom glass, but I've yet to finish puting it together. Now that summer is finally here...

The maximum temperature you can hope for in a traditional solar box oven is about 450 degrees -- this is the temperature limitation of tempered glass. REACHING that temperature is another challenge. My BIL and I have competing ideas and we are going to test both. We are actually talking about patenting out products and producing them commercially. I think there is going to be a real market for them in the near future.

Re: Solar ovens.
 

I deffianly want to get one....... I also want to get a sloar charger for my cell and laptop.



http://hight3ch.com/post/solar-mobile-charger/


T

Re: Solar ovens.
 

I'd be interested.

Re: Solar ovens.
 

About 10 years ago I covered a 4' satelite dish with aluminum foil it would lite a board on fire in 30 sec. at roughly 3' out , I then built a tri pod from re bar and hung a cast iron pot from it and centered the beam on it, added potatos carrots onion and 3or4 lbs. of chuck roast with some red wine, water and spices.....it was done in under 4 hours . I turned the pot several times so the beam of light would shine on the pot at different locations.

I was schocked how well it worked and often though it would be amazing if I covered it with mirrors or something more reflective than aluminum foil. Haveing access to all the stainless steel I want I should try covering it with something like highly polished 304 ss in an un brushed version.....yup the dish is still laying around under a tree some where around here.