How hot do solar cookers get?
The majority of traditional solar cookers will reach temperatures between 250-400° F (130-200° C) with no food inside the oven box. When food is placed in the oven, the temperature will decrease at first, and then start to rise slowly. When this rise takes place, it shows the food is nearing the cooking point. The temperature will not reach the same high as in an empty box. All food contains some amount of water, and water won’t go above the boiling point. Water is released as steam, which carries away the excess heat. Solar cookers are best learned with experience not temperature gauges. You will learn to use recipe temperatures as timing guides, it is best if you simply put the food in your oven and see how long it takes. Thermometers in solar cookers are not as important as experience.
A single panel box type solar cooker will not get much hotter than 300° F, yet this is more than enough to cook most meals -a temperature of 200° F is all that is required to safely cook food. You can experiment with different solar cooker types and designs to increase cooking speed, yet it should be noted that the cooking temperatures listed in conventional cookbooks are primarily used for cooking speed and quick browning. Many people who use solar cookers prefer the slower cookers because they do not have to check on the food and can just leave it for hours while they go about their day.
