Sometimes solar cooking is presented to people without passing on the requisite know-how for handling the solar cooker. Consequently, people have had bad experiences, for example they get dazzled or the cooker doesn't perform as expected because of incorrect use.

Cooking can bring a lot of enjoyment, especially of course eating the cooked result! We would like to share with you a few important details so that cooking with the solar cooker is a pleasure. We have concentrated on the parabolic solar cooker type SK 14. Solar box cookers and solar panel cookers are simpler to use

Since the dish hangs on a frame, its vertical position can be altered very easily. The pot stands on a fixed axis and is not affected by rotating the dish.

However, in order to alter the horizontal position of the dish the whole cooker must be rotated.

Rest position

Please make sure that the solar cooker is always kept in this position when not being used for cooking: the reflective side of the dish should face downwards.

This means that accidental reflection of sunrays on surrounding objects is avoided. In this position the reflector panels are protected, e.g. from rain

Indicator for the Sun's Positon

The parabolic solar cooker should be turned towards the sun every 15 to 20 minutes. The shadows of the screws are a very good indicator as to the current direction of the sun's rays.

With a slight adjustment of the handles the solar cooker is once more in the optimal position for the sun. By doing this you can be certain that all of the solar radiation is used by the solar cooker and more importantly you avoid being dazzled, since all of the sun's rays are reflected onto the cooking pot.

If, however, you would like to cook with lower temperatures, the cooker should be turned slightly out of the sun.

Shadow Position

The dish is completely rotatable. The dish should be rotated to provide a shadow when placing the pot on or removing the pot from the cooker; or when you want to lift the pot lid to add extra ingredients, seasoning, or to stir. By doing this no scorching steam escapes from the pot and you avoid being dazzled. Always use black cooking pots as black material absorbs the sun's rays the best.It is highly recommendable to use an insulated heat-retaining basket when cooking. This allows you to cook the main dish on the solar cooker while simmering the rice at the same time in the heat-retaining basket, or to keep the meal warm to be eaten later after the sun has gone down.

If the reflective surface gets dirty, simply wash with a soft cloth and water. Have fun using your solar cooker!

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