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The Whys and Hows of Solar Cooking Part I

Camping and backpacking are popular outdoor activities. The downside to camping and backpacking can often be attributed to weight. Outdoor enthusiasts carry heavy loads of gear with them, especially during longer journeys with many overnight stays. Cooking utensils, assorted pots and even starter wood could be packed on an outdoor adventure. However, these items can be cumbersome and add unnecessary weight. For this reason, many who choose to camp or backpack bring items with them that do not have to be prepared over open flame.

While not bringing items that must be prepared sounds simpler, it could be detrimental to a person's health and well-being. Living on trail mixes, protein bars and beef jerky might be enough to sustain a person over a night or two. Consistently eating those types of foods may not be adequate for overall health during a trip, especially in terms of energy levels and caloric output.

Many campers and backpackers are also naturalists who care about the environment. Many worry over the tread they will have on the terrain they are covering. They use that idea as reason to not bring items with them that could harm the land.

There is a simple, do-it-yourself resolution to these problems: solar cooking. Simple in construction and design, solar cookers can range in size, shape and purpose. Solar cookers are cost-effective. The materials used to construct a solar cooker are inexpensive. A solar cooker could be constructed in less than a day. Best of all, solar cookers use renewable energy, making them eco-friendly.

Solar cookers can be used in a variety of ways and are particularly beneficial to campers and backpackers. Even people who choose to camp in RVs or trailers can benefit from solar cooking. Solar cookers can be left unattended for hours. Food will not burn because the cooking heat is moderate. Pots and pans will be easier to clean, as food and grease are not baked on. Most importantly, solar cookers are portable!

Solar cookers can be used for more than just food preparation. They can boil and pasteurize drinking water or sanitize utensils. Solar cookers are even safe to use with children because of their low cooking temperatures.

The following items will be needed to construct a solar funnel cooker. A flat section of cardboard, at least two feet wide by four feet long will be used to form the funnel, the larger the cardboard the better. The ratio for length to width on the cardboard section is length equals twice the width. Aluminum foil, white glue (and water to mix with) or spray adhesive and three wire brads will also be used to form the funnel.

A block of wood, a can of black spray paint, cooking bags, and a large mason jar will be used to create the cooking surface of the solar funnel cooker. The solar funnel cooker is the least expensive and easiest to assemble of any variety of solar cookers.

Solar cooking is inexpensive and eco-friendly. Solar cookers can be used to the benefit of campers, including RV owners, hikers or backpackers. The simple design and easy-to-follow instructions make the solar funnel cooker a perfect do-it yourself project. The next article, in this series of two, will outline step-by-step instructions on how to construct a solar funnel cooker and tips for the approximated cooking times of several different foods.

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