Success from the Start
Solar cooking requires the following elements:
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Collection of Light
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Absorption of light into a dark pot
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Retention of heat
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Duration of cooking time
Collection:
Your cooker will use one or more reflectors to collect sunlight and direct that light to the cooking area. The more reflectors, the better. The All Season Solar Cooker Camper uses multiple reflectors that amplify the sun by 3.5.
Absorption:
Use a pot that is dark on both the inside and the outside. Most of the sun will strike the pot from the top so use a glass lid. Dark lids are also OK and if you are cooking really light colored food, try a dark lid.
Retention:
Now that you have collected the light and turned it into heat on the surface of a dark pot, you will need to use either glassware or high quality cooking bags to keep the breeze away from the cooking pot. The All Season Solar Camping Cooker comes supplied with two high quality cooking bags. These are great for travel. For home use I use clear glass bakeware. This video shows some of the combinations of bakeware that I use to retain the heat.
Duration:
Just like cooking in the oven or on the stovetop, you need enough time to properly cook the food. The All Season Solar Camper Cooker will allow you to cook for up to 12 hours a day. The others? Just 4 hours a day. Morning, Noon and Afternoon, the All Season Solar Camper Cooker will provide ample heat for cooking.