Monday, June 15, 2009

Utah's Solar Cooking Challenge

Is Utah up for the challenge?

Estimates place more than 7,000 solar ovens in Utah, but only about 40 percent of them are being used on a semi-regular basis. The rest are setting in boxes next to the large food storage shelves in Utah basements. While solar ovens make a great emergency preparedness tool, there are many Green benefits to it, too.

Sun Ovens International is calling on all Utah residents to take part in the Solar Cooking Challenge from June 25 through July 1. As meals are cooked, people can show off their culinary cuisines via the link on the blog (forthcoming) and enter for a chance to win cool prizes - Sun Ovens, pots, pans, and cookbooks.

The goal is to cook 50,000 meals during the challenge, which is a lofty goal, but achievable through a commitment of Utah residents to open those solar oven boxes and give it a whirl. Some of the solar cooking benefits include:

No Emissions - Since there are no fuels being burned (i.e. propane, charcoal, wood, natural gas), there are no harmful emissions being released into Utah's air. The only thing emanating from the oven will be the smells of cooking food.

No Air Conditioning - When cooking in the conventional oven in the kitchen, the house inevitably begins to heat up as the heat from the even seeps into the kitchen and throughout the house. This means the air conditioning has to turn on and fight against the oven. By cooking outdoors, you eliminate this battle of energy consumers - Oven v. Air Conditioning.

Won't Burn - Solar cooking, at least in a Sun Oven, helps eliminate burnt foods. The sealed box keeps moisture in, while cooking in a conventional oven or on the stove allows the moisture to escape.

If you don't know how to cook in a solar oven, here are three classes that are taking place in Utah:

Friday June 26 10 am
Kitchen Kneads
3030 Grant
Ogden, UT 84401

Saturday June 27 10 am
Kitchen Kneads
7579 S Redwood Road
West Jordan, UT 84084

Saturday June 27 12:00-2:00 PM
Vernon Worthen Park
300 South 400 East
St George UT 84770

These classes are great opportunities to learn about the many benefits of solar cooking, see the oven in action and take advantage of the Solar Cooking Challenge June 25 through July 1.

7 comments:

  1. Can you add these events to the Solar Cooking Archive Wiki Calendar of Events?

    http://solarcooking.wikia.com/calendar

    Thanks!

    Tom Sponheim
    SCI

    ReplyDelete
  2. Greetings all,

    We would like to invite all solar oven owners in and around St. George to come on over to Vernon Worthen Park on the 27th of June for the biggest solar cooker get together we have ever had in this part of the State.

    Bring your solar ovens and come join our class which will already be in session and come prepared with your favorite solar recipe.

    We will be in the park from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the 27th of June.

    Come and have some fun and help us cook up a "solar storm"

    Nathan Parry
    http://www.solarcooker-at-cantinawest.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. We've recently purchased the HotPot solar cooker in May 2009 & haven't stopped solar cooking since.
    We're amazed with what we can do with it. We have a channel on our solar cooking adventures on YouTube. If you would like to check it out.
    http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=SunshineCooking&view=videos

    Happy solar cooking!

    ReplyDelete
  4. the Station Fire out here in California, and he remarked that it reminded him of what it was like every day back home.
    how to make solar panels

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  5. will be awesome if all Utah restaurants use solar oven, the food have the same taste, and it's better for the environment.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great challenge there is always a need for good speelautomaten food!

    ReplyDelete