How is retained heat cooking connected to solar box cookers?
The same insulated box can be used for both methods, making it doubly useful. What is retained heat cooking? Using either solar heat, wood fire, or other conventional fuel, food is brought to a boil and simmered for a few minutes in a pot with a tight lid. Unless it is already in a SBC, it is moved to a SBC without disturbing the pot lid and letting steam escape. The pot is then surrounded with insulating pads, towels or cushions. In the insulated oven box with the heat sealed in, the food continues to cook for up to 4 hours with no further fuel costs or attention. The specific times needed for common foods are listed in the attached reprint on “Retained Heat Cooking.” This reduces fuel costs or use of gathered fuels when solar cooking is not possible and can be used during the night or on cloudy days. In addition, foods can cook in retained heat cookers while traveling. How does the small wood fire fit in? Food can be cooked either by conventional fuels or solar energy. If using wood,
