Solar Cookers in Kenya: Eco-Friendly and Efficient 5

Welcome to the wonderful world of solar cookers in Kenya! 

Not only are these things eco-freakin’-friendly, but they’re also as efficient as that one friend who always finishes their plate and steals leftovers. 

You know who you are. 

But seriously folks, solar cookers are a game-changer in Kenya, where many people struggle to find affordable and sustainable cooking methods.

 So, let’s stick a fork in the old ways of cooking and heat things up with a little solar power, shall we? 

Brace yourselves, this blog’s about to get sunny-side up!

What is a solar cooker?

A solar cooker is an eco-friendly and efficient cooking device that harnesses the sun’s energy to cook food. 

It uses reflectors or concentrators to direct sunlight onto a cooking vessel, which converts the light into heat, allowing food to be cooked. 

Solar cookers in Kenya come in different types, but they all work on the same principle of using solar radiation as a source of heat.

Solar cookers have become increasingly popular in Kenya due to their affordability and sustainability. 

They are particularly beneficial in rural areas with limited access to electricity and clean cooking fuels. 

With a solar cooker, families can save money on fuel costs while reducing their carbon footprint. Additionally, they promote healthier cooking practices by eliminating harmful smoke emissions from traditional stoves.

The Need for Solar Cookers in Kenya

Kenya’s current cooking practices

Kenya’s current cooking practices vary depending on the region and economic status of the people. 

Rural areas rely heavily on traditional cooking methods such as open fires, charcoal stoves, and three-stone fires. 

These methods pose a health risk and contribute to deforestation, soil degradation, and air pollution.

Urban areas have seen a shift towards cleaner energy sources such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity.

However, these options are often not affordable for low-income households who still rely on charcoal or kerosene cookstoves.

The introduction of solar cookers in Kenya has provided an eco-friendly and efficient alternative for cooking. 

Solar cookers use sunlight to heat food without any emission of greenhouse gases or pollutants. 

They are ideal for rural communities where access to fuel is limited and can save up to 60% of household energy costs. 

Related: #7 Best Hotpoint Cookers In Kenya And Their Prices

Health and environmental consequences of traditional cooking methods

Traditional cooking methods in many parts of Kenya involve the use of charcoal, firewood, and kerosene stoves. 

These fuels produce smoke that is harmful to both human health and the environment. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to indoor air pollution from burning solid fuels like charcoal and firewood causes over 4 million premature deaths each year worldwide.

Also,  traditional cooking methods contribute significantly to deforestation and soil degradation. 

The excessive use of firewood for cooking leads to a decline in tree cover, which has serious implications for local ecosystems as well as contributes to climate change.

Importance of finding alternative cooking solutions

Fortunately, there are alternative eco-friendly cooking methods available such as solar cookers. 

Solar cookers in Kenya are an innovative solution that utilizes sunlight instead of fossil fuels or electricity for cooking. 

They offer several benefits including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, less deforestation, improved health outcomes by reducing exposure to indoor air pollution and saving money on fuel costs. 

In Kenya today, initiatives such as the “Solar Cooker Project” have been established to promote this sustainable technology among communities who traditionally rely on non-renewable energy sources for their daily livelihoods. 

How Solar Cookers Work in Kenya

Buckle up!

It’s about to get scientific in here?.

a). Explanation of the science behind solar cooking

Solar cooking is a way to use the power of the sun to cook food. Just like how you can use a magnifying glass to focus sunlight and make things hot, solar cookers do something similar, but on a larger scale.

A solar cooker usually has a reflective surface, like a mirror or shiny metal, that helps to capture sunlight. 

When sunlight hits this reflective surface, it bounces off and gets focused onto a specific spot.

This spot is usually where you place your cooking pot or pan.

When the sunlight is focused onto the pot or pan, it heats up the food inside. 

This happens because sunlight contains a form of energy called heat energy, and when it gets concentrated onto the pot or pan, it makes the food inside hot. 

Like a stove or an oven uses electricity or gas to generate heat, a solar cooker uses sunlight to generate heat and cook food.

b). Types of solar cookers available

There are several types of solar cookers available. Here are a few common ones:

Box solar cooker

This type of solar cooker typically consists of an insulated box with a transparent lid, like a window. 

The transparent lid allows sunlight to enter and trap the heat inside, similar to a greenhouse effect. 

The bottom of the box is usually lined with a reflective material, like aluminum foil or reflective metal, to capture and reflect sunlight onto the cooking pot or pan placed inside. 

Box solar cookers in Kenya are great for slow cooking, baking, and simmering.

Parabolic solar cooker

This type of solar cooker has a parabolic-shaped reflective surface, like a curved mirror or metal sheet, that focuses sunlight onto a single point. 

The cooking pot or pan is placed at the focal point where the sunlight is concentrated, and it gets very hot, allowing for fast and high-temperature cooking. 

Parabolic solar cookers in Kenya are ideal for frying, sautéing, and boiling.

Panel solar cooker

Panel solar cookers are made up of multiple reflectors or panels that can be adjusted to capture sunlight from different angles. 

These panels reflect and focus sunlight onto a central cooking area where the pot or pan is placed. 

Panel solar cookers in Kenya are versatile and can be adjusted to optimize sunlight capture throughout the day, making them suitable for various cooking styles.

Hybrid solar cooker

Hybrid solar cookers combine solar power with other sources of energy, such as electricity or gas. 

For example, some hybrid solar cookers in Kenya have an electric backup for cooking during cloudy days or at night when sunlight is not available. 

These types of solar cookers in Kenya provide flexibility and reliability in cooking, especially in regions with variable weather conditions.

These are just a few examples of the types of solar cookers available. 

Solar cookers come in various designs and sizes, and you can choose the one that best fits your needs and cooking style. 

Proper safety guidelines and instructions when using solar cookers are important to ensure safe and effective cooking.

c). Benefits of using solar cookers

Solar cooking is a great way to use renewable energy from the sun to cook food without using any fuel or electricity. 

It’s good for the environment because it doesn’t produce any greenhouse gases or pollution.

Plus, it’s a fun and interesting way to learn about science and how energy from the sun can be used in everyday life!

Best Solar Cookers in Kenya

Let’s look at some of the best solar cookers in Kenya.

#1. SOL COOK All Season Solar Cooker

Looking for a reliable and efficient solar cooker in Kenya? 

Look no further than the ASSC Camper by SOL COOK! 

This solar cooker is truly a game-changer when it comes to outdoor cooking. 

With the ability to use cookware of any size, up to a turkey roaster, this cooker is perfect for any family or group gathering. 

One of the standout features of the ASSC Camper is its impressive cooking power, which allows it to produce more cooked food than any other solar cooker of its size. 

And despite its size and rugged construction, it’s also impressively lightweight, making it easy to transport and set up wherever you need it. 

Speaking of construction, the ASSC Camper is built to last using food grade virgin polypropylene (PP) flute board. 

This weatherproof material is extremely rugged and completely waterproof, ensuring that it won’t tear, fracture, or become waterlogged even in the toughest conditions. 

When you order the ASSC Camper, you’ll receive everything you need to get started immediately. 

This includes a 14-page user/instruction manual, all required hardware, two extra-large reusable cooking bags, and the Sunsight device to aid in proper alignment. And to make cooking even easier, the cooker also comes with a folding cooking rack.

Despite its impressive size and power, the ASSC Camper is shipped compactly in a box measuring 18 inches by 14 inches by 4 inches. 

SOL COOK is a “green” shipper, so no extra packing materials are used. 

Whether camping, tailgating, or just enjoying a day out in the sun, this cooker will surely impress.

#2. Sunflair Mini Portable Solar Oven

Hey there, fellow adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts! 

Have you been on the hunt for a portable solar oven in Kenya that can keep up with your on-the-go lifestyle? 

Enters the Sunflair Portable Solar Oven! 

This bad boy is the world’s lightest and easiest solar oven, perfect for a variety of activities such as hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and even construction sites. 

And the best part? 

No assembly required! 

With the Sunflair, you can easily cook from sun-up to sundown, thanks to its included solar oven thermometer, trivet, collapsible silicone pot, and handy stuff bag. 

But what really sets this solar oven apart is its ability to cook where open flames are not allowed, making it a responsible and eco-friendly choice for any outdoor activity. 

And for those who like to live on the wild side, you may even be able to cook in some vehicles! (Again, please cook responsibly.)

The Sunflair Portable Solar Oven meets FDA, EU, and Prop 65 standards, ensuring that you can safely cook your favorite meals without any worries. 

Plus, it floats and dries quickly, making it a great option for beach trips or emergencies. 

And when you’re ready to pack up and move on to your next adventure, the Sunflair folds down to the size of a laptop for easy storage.

At $104.99 on Amazon, the Sunflair Portable Solar Oven is definitely worth the investment for anyone who loves to cook and explore the great outdoors. 

So why wait? 

Get yours today and enjoy delicious meals cooked with the power of the sun!

#3. GOSUN Fusion Solar Oven – Hybrid Electric Grill

If you are an outdoor enthusiast or just someone who loves to cook, you might want to check out the GOSUN Fusion Solar Oven. 

This hybrid solar cooker is a perfect choice for your outdoor cooking needs. 

It’s not only lightweight and portable, but it’s also 5x more efficient than a traditional electric oven.

One of the most impressive features of the GOSUN Fusion Solar Oven is its temperature range. 

Its long-lasting vacuum tube camping cookware can cook a meal at a maximum temperature of 550 °F (288 °C) in full sunlight, taking only 20 minutes to do so. 

If you don’t have access to sunlight, you can also power it with electricity. This makes it an efficient and versatile way to cook your meals outdoors.

The GOSUN Fusion Solar Oven is also lightweight, weighing only 16 pounds. 

Unlike traditional camping stoves that use dangerous flames, this solar oven is a safe and unlimited free energy source. 

Not only is solar cooking tastier, but it also cooks food evenly and keeps it moist and tender.

If you’re looking for a way to cook your meals outdoors that’s efficient, safe, and easy to use, the GOSUN Fusion Solar Oven is the way to go. 

Its lightweight, portable design makes it perfect for camping, boating, or any outdoor adventure. 

So, go ahead and load your food into the tube cooking chamber, set the temperature, and enjoy a delicious meal cooked with the power of the sun.

Related: What Is The Best Way To Clean My Oven In Kenya?

#4. Portable Solar Cooker

I recently had the pleasure of trying out the Portable Solar Cooker and I must say, I was impressed! 

One of the standout features for me was how easy it was to clean. 

With just soapy water and a cloth, I was able to wipe away any grease from cooking without having to scrub the mirrors. It was effortless and made cleaning up after cooking a breeze.

Another great feature is how stable and durable the cooker is. 

It doesn’t require any propane, gas, fire, or electrical power, instead harnessing the power of the sun to reflect and intensify its rays towards your cookware.

The advanced self-healing polymers ensure the durability of the mirrors, making it a long-lasting investment.

One of the best things about the Portable Solar Cooker is how adjustable it is. 

Not only does it reach temperatures comparable to kitchen ovens, but it does so 6-7 times faster than a charcoal grill. 

Plus, you can control the heat by adjusting the reflectors, allowing for perfectly grilled meats with that delicious flavor.

I highly recommend the GDAE10 Portable Solar Cooker in Kenya to anyone looking for an efficient and eco-friendly way to cook.

 It’s a game-changer in outdoor cooking and I can’t wait to use it on my future camping trips.

Related: #8 Top Kenyan Cookers: Best Picks for Your Kitchen