The Parabolic Solar Oven
The rising costs of non-renewable sources of energy because of its dwindling stocks has led to people looking for alternative forms of energy for their electricity, fueling and cooking needs.
One of the most preferred and convenient forms of alternative energy is solar energy, which is harnessed in many consumer products and both in homes and commercial establishments.
When you think of solar power in your equipment, the first thing that comes to mind is solar panels. However there are some products that have a more practical use when using solar energy like the parabolic solar oven.
Solar energy is one of the best ways of reducing the use of nonrenewable resources.
With solar energy, the sun’s rays are used to create electricity, heat water or other fluids, charge a battery, heat homes through glass windows and cook food.
Usually a solar oven is used for cooking food which is used instead of firewood and other fuels to cook meals. One of the more famous solar ovens is the parabolic solar oven.
In a parabolic solar oven, the sun’s rays is collected using the help of a reflective surface like a parabola or curved surface. There are different types of parabolic solar ovens available which come with instructions on its creation. With a parabolic solar oven, it is possible to cook food at the same rate that food is cooked in conventional ovens.
This is why the parabolic solar cooker is considered to be a better alternative for outdoor cooking reasons like in campfires.
In addition to this, as the parabolic solar oven does not depend on wood or fuel for generation of heat, it is possible to start cooking immediately without much time being spent on its setting up. With a parabolic solar cooker, there is no need of spending time looking for firewood, lighting the fire and waiting for vessels to get hot.
The best way to start building a parabolic solar oven is by using a ready-made satellite dish. This because its parabolic shape is great for creating the oven. Once this is done, its inside is coated with a reflective substance like a mirror finish reflective aluminum sheet.
There are some people who prefer starting a parabolic solar oven starting with a bowl shape as with this, food cooks better inside it, while helping in sheltering of food from the wind.
With the parabolic solar oven some, you have to choose the right cooking pot for the cooker. It has to be dark in color and placed in the correct position. It has to also be oriented to the sun and placed on a small stand that sits at the point of focus for the oven.
You can choose the best position for the pot by imagining a magnifying glass where the glass focuses its beam. When in position, the parabolic solar cooker works for 60 to 90 minutes. If you find that the food is not cooked or that another pot has to be heated, then the oven has to be readjusted according to the orientation of the sun.
Photo: A nice example of self-made parabolic solar oven. You can find more on Appropedia.org
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5 Responses to “The Parabolic Solar Oven”
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Think Solar Energy
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These are great! I remember eating chocolate chip cookies made in a solar cooker. Nice and soft – no burnt edges!!!
mmm i can imagine, Peter
What a great idea!! The only problem Peter is that these oven’s and many other great solar devices are not known or readily available to the public.
We need to have more exposure to make the general public aware of these wonderful alternatives.
i’am going to try and do this
That’s nice laylay. Let us have a picture if you really made it working