| Solar Ovens are becoming the number one most | | | | benefiting the environment. Thousands of people in the |
| popular survival tool available today. Camp stoves | | | | U.S. and around the world have discovered the |
| require fuel, gas or propane, and you can run out. They | | | | benefits of cooking with a solar. |
| use the energy from the sun and you not only save | | | | Vegetarian dishes come out sweet, nutritious, and |
| money, you help save the environment, The USFA's | | | | delicious in a solar oven! Temperatures rise slowly and |
| National Fire Data Center estimates that outside grills | | | | evenly, unlike a conventional oven. A solar oven is |
| cause more than 6,000 fires, over 5 fatalities, more | | | | perfect for cooking legume, grain and vegetable-based |
| than 170 injuries, and $35 million in property loss per | | | | dishes. You can cook anything in these ovens that you |
| year. Gas grills alone cause over 2,700 fires, 80 injuries, | | | | cook in a moderate oven (~225 to 350 degrees), or in |
| and $11 million damage. Most of the gas grill fires and | | | | a slow cooker, and it is perfect for baking whole-grain |
| explosions were caused by gas leaks, blocked tubes, | | | | breads and cakes, roasting vegetables, and simmering |
| and overfilled propane tanks. Solar ovens are safe as | | | | casseroles. Breads and cakes come out moist and |
| there are no burning charcoal or exposed open flames | | | | fluffy. |
| used as a heat source. No gas, no flames, no danger! | | | | Cooking in a solar oven is easy, fun, natural, and |
| Not only are there zero emissions, we have found the | | | | nutritious, while helping the environment. It is ideal for |
| sun oven to be very forgiving. You will find you can | | | | everyday use in your back yard, at picnics, while |
| cook at a higher temperature with less time or a lower | | | | camping, or in the event of a power failure. They can |
| temperature with more time. Meat cooked in this | | | | help keep your house cool in the summer by keeping |
| appliance is more moist and flavorful than with a | | | | the heat from cooking outside. Even though it is called |
| conventional oven, and there is no fuel cost. For dry | | | | an oven, food can be baked, boiled, and steamed at |
| camping in our motor home, this oven is a must. When | | | | cooking temperatures of 360° F to 400° F. |
| we are not using the oven for other things, but wish to | | | | There is no movement of air in a solar oven, allowing |
| keep it available, we place a black tea kettle of water | | | | food to stay moist and tender and flavorful. Sun-baked |
| inside which also provides us with extra hot water. | | | | roasts are tastier and more succulent, and sun-baked |
| Anything that is baked in a conventional oven can be | | | | bread has unparalleled taste and texture. |
| cooked in a sun oven in the same amount of time. | | | | Temperatures in a solar oven rise slowly and evenly, |
| Even so, just remember these ovens come in many | | | | allowing complex carbohydrates time to break down |
| sizes and are made from many different materials. | | | | into simple sugars, emanating subtle natural flavors. |
| Prices range from as little as $37 to as much as $700. | | | | The even temperature of the solar oven prevents |
| Some of the cheaper units barely reach a maximum | | | | burning, so you do not need to stir your food while it is |
| temperature of 250ºF, which is not adequate for | | | | cooking. Solar ovens are safe and cannot cause a fire. |
| cooking meat. Meat is only safe above 250ºF, | | | | There are two ways to cook in a solar oven. If you |
| where no bacterial overgrowth is possible. | | | | refocus the oven to follow the sun every 25 to 30 |
| When researching solar ovens, you will discover that | | | | minutes, cooking times and methods will be very similar |
| most solar ovens selling for $200 or more will reach | | | | to cooking with a conventional stove or oven. Or it can |
| 275-300ºF. Be sure to take your time and weigh | | | | be used for slow cooking, much like a crock-pot. You |
| all of the benefits and features, such as ease of | | | | can prepare your dinner, put it in the solar oven, point |
| set-up, storage, weight, durability of materials used. And | | | | the oven where the sun will be approximately halfway |
| remember that cheaper does not mean better. | | | | through the time you will be gone. Leave the oven, and |
| The sun is the most enjoyable renewable of all known | | | | come home to a tasty, slow-cooked dinner. If you run |
| cooking fuels. It rises every morning and is free. Sun | | | | late, there is no need to worry; the solar oven will keep |
| ovens enable the sun to bake, boil, and steam a wide | | | | your food warm, moist, and fresh for hours. |
| variety of food while enhancing the taste and | | | | |