The BYU Solar Cooker/Cooler

At a glance..

This resource contains information on how to make and use the BYU Solar Cooker/Cooler.

The details..

In 'The BYU Solar Cooker/Cooler', Steven E. Jones introduces readers to a revolutionary way of cooking food and sterilizing water using only the free energy of the sun. The author highlights how billions of people around the world rely on burning wood or dried dung to cook their meals, which leads to health problems from inhaling smoke as well as environmental impacts such as deforestation.

Jones explores existing methods like parabolic cookers and box cookers but finds them either dangerous or complicated to build effectively. He then presents his solution: a hybrid between these two designs that looks like a large deep funnel called The Solar Funnel Cooker.

The reflector in this design is shaped like a giant funnel lined with aluminum foil, concentrating sunlight along a line at its bottom where users can place black jars or pots with lids painted black on the outside for heat collection. To prevent air cooling down vessels before they are hot enough for cooking, cheap plastic bags are used around them instead - creating an insulating air pocket that builds up heat without letting it escape.

Prototypes were tested in Bolivia where they outperformed expensive solar box cookers while costing much less; Brigham Young University submitted patent applications mainly to ensure no company would prevent wide distribution of The Solar Funnel Cooker so individuals could make their own easily or start cottage-industries manufacturing them for others.