Did you know that cooking can be very, very dangerous? And we don't mean the minor dangers of errant knives and splattering oil. In some areas of the world, like Darfur and refugee camps in Chad, the work of finding firewood and other fuel for cooking leaves women vulnerable to attack and rape. The simple act of providing for her family in the most basic ways can open her up to danger.
Enter the solar cooker: a greener, safer way to cook.
posted originally from: TheKitchn
We've been fascinated by this story for a long time. It's a simple, cheap, and green solution to a problem -- a great mix, if you ask us!
The Solar Cooker Project provides solar ovens to families in refugee camps populated by refugees from Sudan. The area around these camps is very bare and it's difficult to find firewood. The stoves provided by the Solar Cooker Project are inexpensive and they allow women to cook with sunlight instead of scarce firewood. This is greener, of course, but its principal benefit is that it keeps women safe inside the camp.
One camp of nearly 5000 people has already been entirely supplied with solar cookers! But replacements are often needed, and there are other camps that still need this equipment. We are going to support this cause -- we find it so creative and worthwhile. It takes so little to help, too; only $30 buys two solar cookers and the pots and other equipment that are needed for a family to get started on solar cooking.
• More about the Solar Cooker Project at Jewish World Watch
• More about solar cooking at SolarCooking.org
Related: Outside Cooking: Solar Slow Cooker
(Image: SolarCooking.org)
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There's a wonderful teacher in Miami whose grade school students build solar cookers for kids in Haiti. Fun interview with one of the super-knowledgeable 10-year-olds here:
http://www.sustainablesuppers.com/?p=227
view Frugalista's profile
oh, I made one of these in high school for an environmental science class... but it it wasn't very sunny the week we were supposed to test them.
this is a perfect example of putting available natural resources to use in a manner that not only benefits the environment but benefits people in need, as well.
view foodefafa's profile
This is so cool. Its inspiring that there are organizations doing stuff like this... a relatively simple thing that is good for people and good for the environment.
I love my slow cooker and one-pot type meals and have actually thinking about buying one of these to cook during hot Chicago summers rather than heating up the house and conserving some resources... They are pretty cheap on eBay. Has anyone tried these in a Chicago-like summer climate? (sunny and 80's-ish)
view deirdre's profile
the most important part is direct sunlight. these work by focusing the light and radiant heat to a more specific point, thus increasing its stregth. even in the summer, you'd need to do it when the sun is high in the sky. we actually made our own from household items, so you can experiment before investing. some cardboard smoothly covered in foil and a glass of water and a candy thermometer will give you an idea (though one you buy would likely be better with a smoother/higher quality reflective surface). I'd be really hesitant cooking with meat, (it might spend too much time in the 'danger zone'), but I haven't done the research.
view foodefafa's profile