DIY (Do it Yourself) Projects — Solar Cooking

Successful solar cookers were reported in Europe and India as early as the 18th century.  The increased use of glass during that period helped inventors to trap heat & hot air.  In 1870, Augustine Mouchot invented a fairly portable oven for the French Foreign Legion.  It could bake a pound of bread in 45 minutes or 2 pounds of potatoes in one hour.

Around the same time, W. A. Adams developed an eight-sided mirrored oven which reflected light through a glass cone located in the center of the oven.  This oven could cook a 12 pound turkey in 4 to 5 hours.  This is still a popular design today.  We actually use a large model, very similar to Adam’s oven.  In this oven we can cook 60 pounds of food at a time

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