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Best Solar Oven? Hot Pot
Which is the best solar oven?
What I like and dislike about my Hot Pot Solar Panel Cooker.
First of all I like the cost; and being one of the least expensive commercial solar cookers this made it my first choice when I initially got into solar cooking. It worked so well I had to purchase a second Hot Pot right a way.
I like the fact that it is made with the highest quality materials and is very well constructed yet at the same time it is very simple and easy to use.
The polished aluminum reflector panels are very shiny and do very well at concentrating the suns rays on the pot, better than some reflective materials that wrinkle or have surface fading such as with Mylar or aluminum foil.
It's also great that the panels are foldable, with tight well connected aluminum hinges, making it more compact and easy to store out of the way when not in use.
The steel pot and glass enclosure are very durable and easy to clean, and because of the materials used in its manufacture; it should last for years.
I like the fact that the glass pot and cover are made from thick tempered glass and that it allows for the steel pot to fit perfectly and precisely; creating a half-inch, hot air pocket all around the steel pot for more uniform heating and cooking.
I like being able to always see the food cooking in the pot through the transparent lid
I like the fact that the Hot Pot is sufficiently heavy, especially with food in it and; that most breezes are not a factor in regards to stability.
I like the size of the steel pot because it allows for a substantial amount of food to be cooked at one time, though one does have to remember not to over load the cooker; otherwise requiring longer cooking times.
But, if you have the time and the conditions are right, why not cook more.
I like the fact that you can set the Hot Pot out to cook and not have to worry about orienting the cooker so often like one would have to do with some cookers.This is due to the technical design of the solar reflector panels which greatly enhance the cooking concentration of the suns rays and thus the cooking temperatures.On good days in the summer you can leave it alone for longer periods of time to cook without turning it as often.
I especially like the Hot Pot for stews, soups, chilies and meats; it does so well with these foods.Our Hot Pots have even cooked whole chickens and roasts as well as any solar oven, especially through out the spring, summer and fall.
...Do these things make the Hot Pot the best solar oven?
Some things I don't care for about the Hot Pot are:
It is not the best solar cooker for baking things such as cookies, breads pies and cakes, although with some experimenting, one can do so on a limited basis.A solar oven is more suited to baking than is a panel cooker, but many people do bake some items with the Hot Pot Panel Cooker.
I also have had some issues with the Hot Pot in the middle of winter; because the sun's angle is so low on the southern horizon it can't get the rays of the sun very directly.
You have to angle or tilt the Hot Pot in order to get the rays of the sun more directly and this can cause some concerns with spilling and tipping.That being said, the winter time sun though can be a major factor and concern for any type of solar cooker here in the northern hemisphere, but more so for panel style solar cookers.
I will say though that panel cookers work great pretty much all the rest of the year.
Another thing about the Hot Pot that I have noticed is; when it is quite windy or there are very thin high clouds; its cooking temperatures can decrease slightly due to the fact that the pot is not enclosed inside of a sealed oven chamber.In other words the ambient conditions and temperatures can affect a panel cooker a bit more than a more sealed box style cooker, although this is not a major issue most of the time.
With that being said I do like my Hot Pot...very much and will be able to get many years of solar cooking use from it.
Buy a Hot Pot
OR
Canadian Purchase Below
For Canadian Orders your cost is only $36.00 More for international shipping.
You will receive the complete Hot Pot kit including the standard round black enamel cooking pot,glass enclosure and aluminum panels
Your cost is $156.00 for the total package plus shipping
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OR
Rate A Solar Cooker: What is your favorite Solar Cooker, and Why?
The Global Sun Oven... The SOS Sport... The Hot Pot... The Cookit? Heavens Flame? Parvati? "Solar Burner"...or some other?
Which is your favorite and why do you like (it) more than any other?
For Canadian Orders your cost is only $36.00 More for international shipping.
