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The Solar Cookery Book
by Beth Halacy
ISBN:124 pages   5.5x8.5 inches [size]


Describes in detail how you can make your own solar oven and reflector hot plate, and how to cook with them. It is for people who are interested in conservation and a wise use of our resources, plus a desire to protect the environment. It is for students who are searching for a new project for a science fair. Solar Cookery was the first book ever available on how to harness the sun's energy in preparing food. Once you discover how easy and enjoyable solar cooking can be, the sun's energy will no doubt become your favorite way to cook.

$12.95

 
 
DETAILS        
The Solar Cookery Book

 

Over a century ago August Mouchot, a French scientist, built a solar cooker. This cooker won a large cash prize for being a practical and better way to cook for soldiers in the field. In our own country, scientists like Samuel Pierpont Langley and Charles Abbot built and used solar cookers fifty years ago. So, solar cookery is not as new as you might think. But in general it hasn't been paid much attention to because of cheap fuels.

Pioneering solar cooking devices were generally bulky, heavy, and ex­pensive to make. Suitable materials were limited and few people knew about putting the sun to work effectively. Technological advances have made solar cookers and other solar devices more available. Lightweight reflective films and plastics are available at reasonable prices. Practical solar equip­ment can be bought, or home-built. The result is that every day the sun cooks more hamburgers and even turns out full-course dinners.

There are many advantages of cooking with solar energy. Since solar cookers do not require a fire, they are not a fire hazard and can be used in areas closed to fire building. There is no smoke or other pollution from a solar cooker, and no ashes to clean up. Neither is there any wasted time in waiting for a fire to burn down to the proper cooking temperature.

Solar cookery is instructive too. After learning how the sun's energy can do everyday chores it is easier to understand how it can do larger tasks, such as home heating or power generation. The basic principles of heat ab­sorption, sun "tracking," and the "greenhouse effect" become easy to understand. Best of all, using solar energy can be a very enjoyable and exciting experience.

Some commercial solar cookers are quite expensive, but the two that this book shows you how to build are not. Supplies for the solar oven can be bought for very modest amounts. And if you are a good scrounger you may be able to build them for practically no cash out-of-pocket. Best of all, both projects can be built by amateurs.
The potential of solar cooking is unlimited. How about making solar coffee? Or sun-cooked bacon and eggs? Or steak? You can cook a turkey in the solar oven as fast as your electric oven can do it! The second part of Solar Cookery has recipes which have been tested on the solar cookers. You will be able to make entire meals, from soup to dessert, as easily and quickly as you can in the kitchen.

Solar cookery saves money too, but far more important is the fact that this kind of cooking is an excellent way to show the great potential of solar energy. The sun grows our food and can cook it as well; that same energy can heat water and keep our houses warm. Some day the sun may provide nearly all our energy — safe and unlimited energy that will clean up our environment and save precious gas and petro­leum for better uses.
 

The reflectors are attached to the angles with #10 nuts and bolts, and a 1" washer under the bolt head on the reflector side. This large washer keeps the bolt from pulling through the soft cardboard. Attach all four reflectors, tightening the bolts snugly with screw driver and pliers.

If you have been keeping track of how much additional sunshine the reflectors capture, you know that you are now doubling the amount of solar energy going into the oven, and its temperature will really soar. You can add a bit more heat by filling in the corners as shown in the plans and photos. Cut four cardboard/foil triangles to fit into the gap. Tape them neatly in place with masking tape or duct tape. Now your oven should reach 400° on good days, and that will take care of just about anything you want to cook.

 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

The Solar Cookery Book
by Beth Halacy
ISBN:124 pages   5.5x8.5 inches [size]

$12.95