Solar Ovens - Which One?

Many people have discovered that solar cooking and baking is more than just a science project or clever novelty. Cooking with the sun can be fun, but it can also save money while decreasing your carbon footprint. Sun ovens use the free unlimited energy of the sun to cook or bake. rather than the normal (gas or electric). Nonrenewable energy resources, such as gas, electric, coal or wood, not only cost money, they all pollute our atmosphere, whereas the sun is free energy and pollution-free.The main reason sun oven cooking has never become popular is that most of us have always taken its source of gas and electric for granted; plus it has always been cheap, plentiful and convenient. However, we are now becoming more aware that we are paying a big price for this nonrenewable energy, not only economically, but environmentally. "In the time it takes most people to read this sentence, the world will have used up (forever) about 8,000 barrels of oil - 336,000 gallons; at 1000 barrels per second, it's going fast." With growing demand and shrinking domestic production, America is importing more oil each year - much of it from the world's most unfriendly or unstable regions. We spend more than $200,000 per minute -- $13 million per hour -- on foreign oil, and more than $25 billion a year on Persian Gulf imports alone." With so much emphasis and focus placed on the claims of "Global Warming" and "Climate Change", it is only a matter of time before the cost of electricity soars in order to offset the cost of coal-powered electrical generation plants. The true winners in this financial and political game of chess will be the bankers and power brokers at the top of the carbon-credit pyramid. In light of current events, it would make sense to for us to examine other sources of alternative energy, such as in the use of hybrid automobiles, and harnessing wind and solar energy for power to cook and bake.The next obvious question would be which one? Which car? Which solar panel? Which heater? Which wind generator? Which solar generator? Which solar cooker or oven? The answer is related to price, quality, efficiency, convenience and durability.The cheapest sun oven would be one that you build yourself using materials you can purchase from your local grocery or hardware store. The major factors to consider would be efficiency and durability. Regardless of the fact you can build a solar oven from cardboard and aluminum foil, these type solar ovens are not durable or efficient. Do it yourself plans are plentiful on the internet, with free plans to construct a solar oven ranging from a pizza box or dashboard fold-up reflector to modifying a old discarded satellite dish.A parabolic cooker is very effective in reaching high cooking temperatures (400+ F), however they are heavy, bulky and expensive. They also are not designed to hold or maintain a constant cooking temperature during short periods of cloudiness.The collapsible type reflector ovens that can be folded up are inexpensive but are not durable or efficient at reaching and maintaining higher, consistent temperatures needed for the safe cooking temperatures necessary for meat; and they do not hold up well under continuous use. This characteristic explains their limited warranties. The best, most efficient, durable and cost effective sun oven is the insulated box type with reflectors. The box-type sun ovens not only are lighter and smaller than most other styles, they reach higher effective cooking and baking temperatures and maintain them effectively. There are several box-type reflector sun ovens available. Your needs would determine which is right for you and there are several internet sites that compare the most popular brands on the market such as Consumers Report.Remember sun ovens are not just fun to use, but they pay for themselves in a short period of time in the energy savings. The additional benefits to sun oven cooking and baking are: reducing your carbon footprint, reducing your dependency on expensive energy, and as a bonus, you are ending up with a more nutritious and better tasting food product as compared to cooking in a conventional oven. Go green, save money and the environment, go solar.