By Matt Wilson, Meike Schleiff, Ashley Burba, Scott Rowland, Eric Davidson, and Kimberly Blanton SENS 100 Spring 2008

The CooKit is the most widely used type of solar cooker in the world Sometimes referred to as a panel cooker It was developed in 1994 by a group of volunteer engineers; with the goal to make it available for the worlds neediest CooKits are now produced independently in 25 countries at a wholesale cost of $3-7 US

Advantages: One does not have to move the cooker around as much to follow the sun The temperature is more even The shiny, flat surface is less harmful for eyes Requires no windows or insulation It folds down nicely for easy storage Its CHEAP!

All you need is a large piece of cardboard, aluminum foil, a cutting device, a glue or tape to hold the aluminum foil. One can find the dimensions online at rg/plans/Plans.pdf rg/plans/Plans.pdf

You will need a dark pot with a tight fitting lid, an oven bag, or a clear glass bowl that can hold the dark pot. Set the cooker in direct sunlight away from shade. Place the pot of food in the bag or glass bowl on the flat surface of the cooker. One can leave the food in the sun for 3-4 hours without having to ever stir it. The CooKit is great for cooking rice and beans, baking bread, and pasteurizing water.

PINTO BEANS Soak about 1/2 pound of pinto beans in water overnight. Drain the beans and add fresh water to cover the beans by about 1/2 inch. Add a pinch of salt- some chopped onion, a little garlic, and a slice of bacon if you like. This all goes into a covered dark pot and is cooked ALL day in the solar oven. If you notice the water has boiled away, just add more hot water. They are done when they are tender. SOLAR BAKED POTATOES Inside a dark, covered pot place 2 or three medium size, whole potatoes- any type. No need to preheat the oven. Let them bake all day in a slow oven of about 250 degrees F. Here is where you can set the oven due south and just leave it alone while your are at work or playing. Garnish them however you prefer or just eat them plain. BROWN or WHITE RICE 1 cup brown rice 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups water Place ingredients in 1-quart dark pot with lid in º solar oven for 1 hour or until done (water absorbed). SOLAR BRATS Slice 4 onions. Add the onions and 1 can of beer to a covered pot. Simmer in the solar oven until the onions are tender. Add uncooked BRATS and continue cooking for about 45 minutes or until the sausages are done. Serve as is or heaped onto a bun! For more complex recipes, ask Kimberly

Haybox cooking has been used for a long time. The basic idea is to bring a pot of food to boil, then put some form of insulation around it. The heat in the pot will continue to cook the food. Benefits: Fuel savings of 20%-80%, depending on the food and the amount cooked This is a very appropriate technology where there is limited wood for cooking Works great in tandem with solar cooking Can be used when it is cloudy or dark May be more culturally appropriate

Design isnt too critical, although some haybox cookers are more efficient than others. Ideas of designs: One cardboard box inside another with insulation between Baskets filled with insulation with cloth around the pot Sleeping bags (make sure they dont melt) Large pillows A pit dug in the ground, with insulation Beanbag chairs (we used to do this in the Philippines!) Suitable insulation could include: Straw, sawdust, vermiculite, wool, cotton, feathers, rice hulls, banana leaves, newspaper, etc.- basically anything insulating that wont melt

Generally, cooking times are a bit longer, around 2-3 times the normal cooking time. Examples of cooking times: One last thing: since less water is evaporated away in retained heat cooking, you should use about ¼ less water than usual. Enjoy!

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