Uses Of Solar Cooker

Uses Of Solar Cooker

The core use of solar cookers includes cooking various dishes from solar energy. There are various more applications of the solar cooker which are different from traditional cooking. Let us know how solar cookers work along with the applications and uses of solar cookers.

Table of Contents:

How Does a Solar Cooker Work?

Solar cookers work on the basic principle that is the conversion of sunlight to heat energy which is used for cooking. In this section, we will be discussing the working of solar cookers step by step.

Fuel: Sunlight

Sunlight as Fuel
In solar cookers, sunlight is used as a fuel. A solar cooker needs an outdoor spot that is sunny for several hours and which is protected from strong winds. Solar cookers only work during the day and are non-functional during nights and on cloudy days.

Conversion of Sunlight to Heat Energy

Conversion of unlight to heat energy
Dark surfaces absorb sunlight faster, and food is best cooked in shallow, dark, tight-fitting lids that hold heat and moisture.

Retain Heat

Retaining heat energy
A transparent heat trap around the dark pot lets in sunlight, but keeps in the heat. The heat trap is usually a clear, heat-resistant plastic bag or a large inverted glass bowl.

Capture Extra Sunlight

Capturing extra sunlight
One or more shiny surfaces reflect extra sunlight onto the pot, increasing its heat potential.

Applications and Uses of Solar Cooker

  • Water Distillation
  • Solar Smelting
  • Roasting coffee and peanuts for commercial purposes.
  • Separation of Beeswax and capping
  • Wax melting
  • Sterilization of Medical apparatus
  • Grain Sterilization
  • Ironing
  • Water Purification
  • Dehydration

Water Distillation

We use this setup for the distillation of water too with the help of a parabolic cooker along with a distiller setup above the pot receptacle for keeping the water constantly boiling.

Solar Smelting

This setup in large-scale industries can also achieve high temperatures which are more than 2400°C with the help of a solar concentrator and which can melt iron.

Roasting Coffee And Peanut for Commercial Purposes

Usage of the solar cooker can help in efficient use of renewable energy for roasting of consumption items such as coffee beans, peanuts, popcorn.

Separation of Beeswax and And Melting Capping

This process usually prefers a solar cooker because it is natural and won’t damage sensitive food products such as in honey manufacturing. Separating the beeswax and melting the capping is done using this method.

Wax Melting

Commercial usage of melting and repurposing wax from the leftover wax and waste wax is done using the solar cooker.

Sterilization of Medical Apparatus

Nowadays, the medical industry is becoming efficient in utilizing solar energy. Doctors use panel style cookers and solar ovens for sterilization of instruments such as needles, gauge bandages and prevent the spreading of infection and diseases.

Grain Sterilization

The more effective way of sterilization of grain is done by using a solar oven to kill bugs and weevils which may have infested the grain.

Ironing

Usage of that old-style hot irons is not ideal now compared to heating the iron on the parabolic cooker which gets hot enough and fast enough for ironing purposes.

Water Purification

Solar cookers are used all around the world for purification of water and pasteurization on a larger scale. Water is heated for domestic purposes like bathing, washing clothes or doing dishes.

Dehydration

For domestic use, such as dehydrating food in a solar box style in which the vents are partially open for circulation of air and also the lid/door are partially open to prevent excess heating.

These are some applications and uses of solar cookers, if you wish to know more, download BYJU’S – The Learning App.

Related Articles:

Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Cell Conventional and Non-conventional Sources of Energy

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What is a solar cooker?

A solar cooker is a device that uses the energy from the sun mainly for cooking purposes and can be used for various purposes too. It converts solar energy to heat energy.

Q2

State true or false: Sunlight is used as a fuel in solar cookers.

TRUE.

Q3

List the applications and uses of solar cookers.

Applications and uses of solar cookers are:

  • Water Distillation
  • Solar Smelting
  • Roasting coffee and peanuts for commercial purposes
  • Separation of Beeswax and capping
  • Wax melting
  • Sterilization of Medical apparatus
  • Grain Sterilization
  • Ironing
  • Water Purification
  • Dehydration
Q4

In a solar cooker, sunlight is converted into which form of energy?

Sunlight is converted into heat energy.
Q5

Are solar cookers used in water purification?

Yes, solar cookers are used in water purification.

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