Are you looking for more and more ways to make your home a little greener? A great way to do so is by switching over to solar cooking.
This is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, as unlike a conventional oven, you won’t need fossil fuels in order to cook. If you want to learn more about solar cooking, keep reading.
Solar Cookers: The Basics
Solar cookers use energy from the sun in order to run. They are typically a box with a metal or plastic lid that is big enough to hold food items. They tend to be more efficient if they are sealed and painted black as they can better absorb heat.
Many use this cooking option to reduce their energy usage which is both better for your energy costs and the environment. Many use a solar oven to supplement their conventional oven. This is often smart, as it will allow you to cook no matter what kind of weather you are having.
There are two main kinds of solar cookers, one being a solar oven and the other being a parabolic solar cooker. Both use sunlight to produce heat and prepare food, but they do so in different ways.
Solar Oven
Solar ovens are similar to solar cookers but unlike panel cookers, they use an insulated box to retain heat. They typically use a set of solar panels to concentrate energy from the sun. They tend to be a good option for baking.
With a solar oven, sunlight hits the panels and is then bounced into the box where the heat is trapped. These ovens can reach the same heated temperatures as most conventional gas or electric oven. When using a solar oven, it’s best to use dark dishware that will retain heat.
Many use their solar ovens as they would a slow cooker, as you can prepare a dish and leave it to simmer before coming back to it.
Parabolic Slow Cooker
A parabolic slow cooker will work to concentrate sunlight, meaning they can be used anywhere as long as you have access to direct sunlight. A curved reflector is used to generate heat that will reach the cookware, working similar to a gas or electric stove burner. The power of the slow cooker will differ depending on the size, quality, and curve of the reflector.
There are so many pros that come with switching to solar energy. If you’re interested in making the switch, figure out what solar products are best for you. To learn more about solar pros and cons, click the link.
Your Solar Cooking Guide
If you’re working to make greener updates to your home and lifestyle, integrating some solar cooking methods into your routine is a great place to start. Based on your own cooking needs, you can select a solar cooker that will work for you. Lower your carbon footprint and your energy bill with this solar-friendly tool.
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