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Solar Oven tests
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Subject: Solar Oven tests
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From: mikep@pegasus.unm.edu (Mike Prine CIRT)
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Date: 31 Dec 1994 01:11:20 GMT
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Article: 3819 of alt.energy.renewable
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Newsgroups: alt.energy.renewable
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Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Well, while I had hoped for something grand to report like "We
cooked our christmas dinner in our solar oven", due to weather that wasn't
possible. I have to settle for reporting that we reheated leftovers and
baked bread on the 29th. It took about 2 hours for the bread which even
managed to get a little brown despite the relatively low temp of 275.
On the 24th I conducted a water boiling test in which 1 quart of
water was placed in a covered pyrex dish. The air temperature was in the
mid to low 50s durring the test. Here are the air and water temps observed
Time Air Water
12:00 ? 65
12:15 80 150
12:30 105 190
12:45 127 210
13:00 149 225
13:15 170 240
13:30 186 240 Steam observed on oven window
13:45 194 250 Let steam out and wiped glass
14:00 196 250 unsealed oven to let steam escape
14:20 194 240
At the end of the test bubble were observed in the water but definitly not
what you would call a rolling boil. Still it was hot enough to sterilize
stuff in. The parabolic collectors reach higher temperatures and are better
if all you want to do is boil water but the box types are quite adequate for
cooking in, even in winter if the sky is clear.
Our oven is a "Sun Oven" manufactured by Burns-Milwaukee Inc. It
has interior dimensions of 14"W 14"D 9"H but due to the pivoted cooking tray
not all that volume is avaliable for food. The tray is removable for cleaning
but except in high summer is needed to allow the oven to be tilted up to face
the sun. Cost $150-$200. They are built to last so you might find a used one
for sale at a lower price. They are sold thru Real Goods and most other
places that deal in solar products.
Since we just got it this summer I haven't had much time to
experiment but plan on taking it to the park and on campouts next year to find
out for ourselves how well it works. At first glance though I'm quite happy
with it and expect to get a fair amount of educational milage from it by
showing others the advantages of solar energy.
--
I get most of my electricity, at home, from the sun. | Bitnet: mikep@unmb
It's a hobby, who cares if it's cost effective! | Internet: mikep@unm.edu
University of New Mexico in Albuquerque New Mexico, USA
2701 Campus Blvd NE 87131-6046 USA Phone: 505-277-8135