Solar Cooker
A solar cooker is a device that uses sunlight to cook food.
It converts solar energy into heat energy and traps it for cooking.
It is one of the most practical applications of renewable energy in daily life.
It reduces the dependence on firewood, LPG, and other conventional fuels.
Parts of a Solar Cooker
1. Box
● The insulated box retains heat.
● Usually made from wood or metal with insulation inside.
● Black paint inside the box helps absorb more heat.
2. Glass Cover
● Allows sunlight in and prevents heat escape.
● Usually made of toughened glass for safety.
3. Reflector
● Reflects and concentrates sunlight into the box.
● Often adjustable to capture maximum sunlight.
● Made of aluminum foil or mirror sheet for high reflectivity.
4. Cooking Vessel
● Black pots absorb more heat.
● Metallic vessels coated with black paint provide better heating efficiency.
● Lids should fit tightly to prevent heat loss.
Working of a Solar Cooker
● Sunlight enters through the glass cover.
● Black vessels absorb heat.
● Heat gets trapped inside the cooker.
● The temperature rises and cooks food.
Types of Solar Cookers
1. Box-Type Solar Cooker
A box-type solar cooker is a simple device that uses sunlight to cook food by trapping heat
inside an insulated box. It mainly works on the greenhouse effect.
Construction
It consists of:
● A well-insulated box with a black inner surface to absorb heat.
● A double glass cover that allows sunlight to enter but prevents heat from escaping.
● A reflector (plane mirror/aluminium sheet) fixed on the lid to reflect additional sunlight
into the box.
● Blackened cooking vessels which absorb maximum heat.
Working
Sunlight enters through the glass cover and is absorbed by the black inner surface and vessels.
The heat is trapped inside the cooker due to the greenhouse effect. The reflector increases the
amount of sunlight entering the box, thereby raising the temperature to about 100–140°C. The
stored heat slowly cooks the food.
2. Parabolic Solar Cooker
A parabolic solar cooker uses a parabolic-shaped reflector to concentrate sunlight onto a single
focal point where the cooking vessel is placed. It produces very high temperatures, enabling fast
cooking.
Construction
● A parabolic reflector made of aluminium sheet or mirror pieces is shaped like a dish.
● The reflector focuses all incoming sunlight at the focus of the parabola.
● A support stand is used to hold the vessel at the focal point.
● A mounting frame allows adjustment of the dish to face the sun.
Working
Sun rays falling on the parabolic reflector get reflected and concentrated at the focal point.
The cooking vessel placed at this point receives intense heat (up to 200–400°C).
This high temperature allows fast cooking, similar to conventional stoves.
Continuous sun-tracking is required to keep the focal point aligned with the vessel.
3. Panel Solar Cooker
A panel solar cooker uses several flat reflective panels arranged around a cooking pot to direct
and concentrate sunlight onto it. It is lightweight, portable, and works by combining reflection
and the greenhouse effect.
Construction
● Made of multiple reflective panels (aluminium foil/cardboard/mirror sheets) arranged in a
curved or foldable pattern.
● A black cooking pot is placed at the center to absorb heat.
● A transparent heat-resistant bag or glass cover is often used to trap heat around the
vessel.
● The entire setup is mounted on a simple stand or kept on the ground.
Working
Sunlight falling on the reflective panels is reflected towards the cooking pot from different
angles.
The black pot absorbs this concentrated heat, and the transparent cover traps the heat,
increasing the temperature around the pot.
Although temperatures are lower than parabolic cookers, it is sufficient for slow cooking like
boiling and steaming.
6. Advantages
No fuel and no pollution.
Simple and cost-effective.
Long lifespan and very low maintenance.
Reduces environmental damage from firewood collection.
7. Limitations / Disadvantages
Cannot be used on cloudy days.
Slow cooking process.
Requires large open space with direct sunlight.
Not suitable for emergency or instant cooking needs.
8. Applications
Domestic cooking.
Rural/remote area cooking.
Used in disaster relief camps where fuel is scarce.
Helpful in educational demonstrations on renewable energy.