Van Life Essentials Cooking in Van with a Solar Oven

Рет қаралды 76,137

5 жыл бұрын

In today's video, we review and compare two very small and light solar ovens that fold down for easy carrying in a car, van or RV.
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Пікірлер: 236

@BarbaraYates 4 жыл бұрын

I've used a cardboard box lined with aluminum foil - worked good. Have to turn it to follow the sun.

@insanemainstream3633 3 жыл бұрын

Put it on a lazy susan

@lightdark00 2 жыл бұрын

My first attempt was just a large cardboard box like that, and I was so disappointed. I have a monster sized cardboard version I made sort of like the two seen here. If I was more careful putting on the aluminum, I think I could get a cast iron dutch oven up to 400F without a bag or a wind break.

@terianderson7951 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for another great review! I have the All Season Solar Cooker and love it. It is Jan. 22nd and I put a pot of chili in at 9 AM. Outside temperatures have been in the 20's and low 30's F. My oven reached 300 F by 2 PM. I didn't think it'd reach 300 F on such a cold day, but it did!

@heidigib01 4 жыл бұрын

Teri Anderson that’s the one I think I’m getting. I live in AZ so sun isn’t usually a problem. Have you baked bread? That’s kinda my big priority.

@terianderson7951 4 жыл бұрын

@@heidigib01 Yes, I've baked bread lots of time! I even let the dough rise right in the oven... just turn the oven mostly away from the sun while it rises, then turn it towards the sun to bake. I find that the bread seems fluffier baked in a solar oven. (By the way, I grew up in Phoenix!)

@lightdark00 2 жыл бұрын

How many times have you moved it to track the sun in a day?

@terianderson7951 2 жыл бұрын

@@lightdark00 I like to refocus every 30 minutes.

@xanadu1jw 5 жыл бұрын

With the ASSC oven you can also enclose your cooking pot in two clear pyrex or glass bowls, one under the pan and one inverted over the pan which saves on bags and also weights down the cooker in the wind. The maker of the oven provided me with a metal trivet that raises the cooking containers off the bottom of the oven a couple of inches so the reflected solar rays can hit more of the cooking surfaces. Also when the ASSC gets older & needs repair you can buy the silver reflective tape and resurface the interior of it.

@terisalund3367 5 жыл бұрын

I love the videos that Cody just wanders around in the background.

@shaunhall1838 3 жыл бұрын

Everyone needs a companion like Cody. ❤️

@CheapRVliving 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Shaun, I saw your recent comment in referring to wanting to make a donation...please go to the homesonwheelsalliance.org website and look for email addresses or number to call for contacting them. Thank you!

@shaunhall1838 3 жыл бұрын

@@CheapRVliving will do Bob! Love the community and what you and your staff is doing.

@zoommikerobinson3315 5 жыл бұрын

Once, my ZOOM students made a Solar Oven. It worked pretty good. One kid wanted to use it at night -- something about making moon pies.

@zoommikerobinson3315 5 жыл бұрын

@@redalesmoothie6464 -- It's like that old Art Linkletter show, "Kids Say The Darndest Things".

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

That is funny!

@zoommikerobinson3315 5 жыл бұрын

@@solarboondocker4597 -- Thank you. I just retired a year ago; but, the ZOOM class was a lively bunch...made a lot of fun videos.

@kathymack3791 5 жыл бұрын

Zoom? As in 🎶🎶...We're gonna zoom-zoom-zooma-zoom...🎶?

@zoommikerobinson3315 5 жыл бұрын

We had an after school program. One of the groups was ZOOM. We focused on videos. So, ZOOM was a play on the idea of cameras and the like. But, PBS did have some good programming.

@DaNinja60 Жыл бұрын

I made and used a funnel cooker with a Mason jar painted black inside an oven bag for years. Worked great.

@TheBioExplorer 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the vids Bob. Lost my 86 year old dad Monday and I know you've helping with your mom and understand. 5 more years and I qualify for my pension. I hate waiting to hit the road but I know I will need it. 💖 you for all you do.

@mrbr549 5 жыл бұрын

TheBioExplorer Sorry for your loss! It's never easy losing a parent. Good fortune to you in the future.

@davem776 5 жыл бұрын

In kindergarten, I remember making one out of a shoe box, foil, and plastic wrap.

@Jessica-pq1rc 4 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate the in depth information. Just from these two videos, I feel that I can make a much more informed decision buying my own! Thank you so much!

@thequintessential5503 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for teaching me these unique survival techniques I can apply when going camping, boating, or emergency situations!

@rexrexerest5023 3 жыл бұрын

Jim is a great inspiration for solar cooking. He seems like a nice, kind, helpful man. Bob is Great as usual.

@marjoriehall9984 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. This really helps in making a decision. Great video. Extremely useful to have someone who truly uses the oven to review it.

@Pyrinsomniac 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Mr Jim! I just bought an All Season reflective oven, to cook with on the porch on my days off, and I hope it'll help keep my tiny apartment cool this summer. Thank you for providing an honest, in depth review and a wonderful introduction for a total beginner.

@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsILK Жыл бұрын

Very valuable video series! I'm mostly vegan. These sound like great options for plant based cooking. Even heating water for coffee, heating up bagels or rolls, bread, Bannock, fry bread. Hot cheese sandwiches! 😊

@cindyglass5827 5 жыл бұрын

WOW !!!! Such a GREAT analysis ! Thank-you sooo much ! I learned ALOT in

@46B3x2you 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks guys. Nice concise informative video. It's the honesty in your videos that keep me coming back. Good people sharing good information. That's refreshing.

@maehay4065 2 жыл бұрын

What a treat to see how they work and I love to see a gentleman who knows how to bake and cook out with the different kinds of solar energy products. A good way of saving your money. I would consider buying one of those for myself. This video is 3 years old but the principal still applies for today. I would love to meet Jim in person, he sounds like a wonderful person who could teach me a few things about the solar ovens and cookers. 👍✅

@ImASurvivorNThriver 5 жыл бұрын

I have the All Season Cooker, and I use two glass pyrex dishes to enclose the pot instead of using oven bags. I put some clear caulk around the rims for a softer closure, and it retains the heat in there extremely well! The glass bowls could be bought from the thrift store for $1 each. They work great! Those bowl are multi-functional as I also use them for food preparation. Thanks for sharing.

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

Good idea

@grannieannie1371 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent idea.

@sarahmitchell9366 5 жыл бұрын

I use 2 9x13 pyrex pans to enclose pans for muffins and potatoes. I love the idea of caulk though, I'm going to try that.

@bctruck 2 жыл бұрын

There you are!

@ZEN-qb1lu 3 жыл бұрын

Your channel and knowledge is such a blessing to new van lifers.. your my van life guru! 😃

@willywonka8730 Жыл бұрын

Great review - Love my All Seasons solar cooker. Unbelievable performance. Hot Hot Hot.

@amypatterson-bocchi2514 4 жыл бұрын

That was a great review. Thorough. I love Jim’s experience and knowledge. Thanks.

@haroldfitz5146 5 жыл бұрын

I don't have either of those, but I'll bet that a piece of clear plexiglass from Home Depot placed in front would help hold in the heat and cook things faster. Great video Jim and Mr Bob!

@whatnext715 5 жыл бұрын

Interesting idea!

@mrsjohnson1743 5 жыл бұрын

I wondered the same but instead of plexi, use crystal clear vinyl for easier portability.

@connieelliott5359 3 жыл бұрын

I have just found a loophole in the no grills rule 😀😂

@darlenehansen5342 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jim and Bob! Great product review!

@dentaldoc1460 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the disclosures, you guys are a class act.

@Immortal-_-0n 2 ай бұрын

It's like a light bulb for Hollywood ✨⭐😂

@whatnext715 5 жыл бұрын

Enjoying this series. I recently bought a sunflair mini but I haven’t tried it yet. Cold weather (in the northeast) may not be the best conditions to learn how to use it on my west facing balcony. I may need to wait till the spring. I’d love to see Jim cooking with some of his ovens, or sharing his go to recipes.

@KatyInNH 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for these reviews!!!!!

@LadyFrosti 4 жыл бұрын

Super helpful Gentlemen, thank you.

@kleenmary7060 3 жыл бұрын

I have the green cooker. Last week I put a large corned beef into my copper stew pan with potatoes, carrots and cabbage. I left it in there for 6 hours. It was perfect!

@charlesuh60m 5 жыл бұрын

Dollar for dollar, I like the All Season Solar Cooker the best. My friend used one during a power outage at his home after a Wyoming blizzard and said he was able to cook all the meats from is fridge, before they went bad, from morning until the afternoon.

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

Dollar for dollar without pans either cooker can be had for the same cost. After that you look at cooking temperatures and hotter may not be better. Ease of use, room needed to store and amount of food that can be cooked. The ASSC is hotter but the SunFlair wins hands down in all the other categories.

@charlesuh60m 5 жыл бұрын

@@solarboondocker4597 I appreciate your opinion but the ASSC's ability to utilize the sun at almost any angle also makes it the better buy.

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

@@charlesuh60m That certainly is one of the ASSC's advantages.

@brokenpencil57 Жыл бұрын

If sun conditions are marginal (cloudy or getting a late start) ASSC will make a meal whereas the other runs out of steam.

@janetbrowning9089 5 жыл бұрын

Jim was awesome explaining how to use these and which ones was better, etc. Thanks Jim!! Thanks so much too, Bob, for having Jim explain all about these solar ovens to us...the nice part about that green one is that you get all those extra cookware, etc. with it, making it an even better buy. The yellow one seems like it's easier to use, than it is to open or close it up...lol It's a shame that the green one doesn't cook as well as the yellow one...because the green one is so much easier to dismantle than the green one...love the demo though. It would have been super cool to have seen yall cook something in one of those...or even both, so we could see the difference too...just a thought.😊💖

@gaetanproductions 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video guys !

@georgiemiller3506 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Guys Great Video Jim & Bob!

@lesley-annmathews7971 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for all the information you share!!!

@evvie01 4 жыл бұрын

Solar Slow Cooker. Love it.

@ronaldsahn9649 4 жыл бұрын

I've built a few solar cookers, I'm going to buy the all season cooker, I normally use a small camping pressure cooker, black, I put it on the gas burner for a few minutes to get the temperature up and start cooking right away for long cooking foods, rice and beans ect.

@gloria2619 Жыл бұрын

Crockpot cooking for free. Love it.

@dabprod 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent. I really enjoyed the videos on solar cookers.

@shannonembree6916 Жыл бұрын

I have a tiny gasifier woodstove made by Silver fire but sometimes when stealth comping I can't use it due to the smoke that can come off of it, so this is definitely a great treasure, and either rubber tramp or leather tramp, this would be a great emergency/alternative way to cook, thankyou for sharing

@EagleArrow Жыл бұрын

You could you use these at kids sports games, the beach, camping.

@claudiapatry9454 2 жыл бұрын

Hello ! .Guys ! ..i Think The Green One is Better ! Less Problems & You Can Fils IT Very EASY ! ..& Clean Just pass a Cloth & Close it & Good also Have a Nice Bag ! ..👍 THANK You So Much For the Vidéos on Solar Oven cooking ! ..i Watch Even The Other One ! 👍 🤩🥰💞💞 From Downtown Montreal ⚜️ 🇨🇦

@lilylou1513 5 жыл бұрын

Did someone say CAKE.... sorry I phased out for a minute or two waiting for the cakes at the end of the vlog 😂😂😂😂😂

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

My favorites are the pineapple upside down cakes. A double layer lemon cake was popular at Thanksgiving and Bob seemed to like his chocolate birthday cake.

@lightdark00 2 жыл бұрын

I have a small portable parabolic oven. It takes a long time to assemble the dish part, but it works great. The hardest thing I tried on it was boiling down a sugar syrup back to sugar.

@barbarajornov2917 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@meanderingmaggie8821 5 жыл бұрын

Someone may already have pointed this out: The amazon link for the solar flair oven is for the mini (which is great for me!). The funny thing is that the video accompanying the description of the oven uses the same music as the opening music for CheapRVLiving! Coincidence? Thanks for the information!

@ericdrews5050 5 жыл бұрын

I just bought the All Season Solar Cooker for $89 on Amazon. There is a learning curve so prepare to start simple by cooking rice. My first batch was terrible because I didn’t get the reflectors set properly

@terianderson7951 5 жыл бұрын

I use less water with the ASSC... like 20% less. I find rice turns out mushy otherwise.

@xxxccc4034 3 жыл бұрын

Seems like a good option for reheating food.

@WhiteHouseVideomaker 5 жыл бұрын

If it's hot enough, you can also simply cover a small black grill bottom with glass and cook in that. Use foil on the inside sides if you have it.

@Franetzky 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the information. Do they come with cooking guides?

@kelli3610 5 жыл бұрын

YES Been waiting for this one Thank you!

@melissabrewer2712 5 жыл бұрын

I'd be interested to see how the $90 one stands up to using a $1 reflective windshield panel.

@jeancassup8878 3 жыл бұрын

There's a prep site where a lady makes one

@Vlfkfnejisjejrjtjrie 3 жыл бұрын

@@jeancassup8878 was it the Hillsborough County (Tampa,Fl) lady that showed how to DIY with coolers and tinfoil? That's was a good one.

@patarbuthnot4003 5 жыл бұрын

Great info .... will be getting one. Thanks for sharing.

@brianjones7521 Жыл бұрын

Jim of the Jungle...Jungle Jim

@brookedolby440 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Jim and Bob.

@josephgant3597 5 жыл бұрын

Alot of man are good cooks ever chiefs

@starwish2467 3 жыл бұрын

True. But, from what I've seen, someone ELSE cleans up and washes dishes (quite often a woman).

@anapaulasmoraes1839 5 жыл бұрын

Bob can you make meals to show ad how the solar ovens works, pleeeeease... 😘🙏

@RVFreeDa 2 жыл бұрын

I’m trying out the GoSun Go small 1-2 person solar oven. Is there a review on them by Bob or Jim? It’s three years later now.

@flybobbie1449 5 жыл бұрын

In the UK this is a bit like barbecues, you cook the food in the microwave then finish off on the grill!

@pooddescrewch8718 2 жыл бұрын

The dog bombing the video lol

@RVJoey 5 жыл бұрын

Contact you? I'm going to stalk you till I find you.! Haha love your passions Jim...love the sunglass tip too

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

I know you! You are NOT panda. lol

@edgit69 5 жыл бұрын

Jim she's looking for a sugar daddy to fund her travels

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

Those that know me know that it is not going to well for her then. lol

@Hippiecat67 5 жыл бұрын

@@solarboondocker4597 Crazy cougar on the hunt!

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

@@Hippiecat67 Now now, I know Joey and yes, she is a bit crazy.

@9Rayita 3 жыл бұрын

That green one looks like one of those insulation bags... a lot cheaper... I have to try that...heheh

@boitoiful 5 жыл бұрын

Hey guys, I really like watching these comparison vids. Thanks!

@brianjones7521 Жыл бұрын

Will it work to bring a Pressure Cooker up to temp with gas & move it to a Solar Cooker?

@chocoboasylum Жыл бұрын

I'm getting the one on the right just to help reduce electricity usage just from cooking

@cherbear1996 5 жыл бұрын

I throw food on my dash and as long as there is sun..my food gets hot..usually in under an hour if its warm enuff out..I've done this for years..usually stuff I've put in Tupperware like containers..sometimes canned goods..

@bobham919 4 жыл бұрын

maybe if you got it hot before you put it in the oven. that would speed things up. when i use my crock pot i get it hot before i start on the gas burner and or i add boiling water to it. this way it dont' have to go from room temp to cooking temp. its already at cooking temp. saves a lot of time

@gerald6692 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the informative videos

@jmd8675 2 жыл бұрын

Would cast iron be too heavy for the SunFlair?

@imhere6868 4 жыл бұрын

Is there one where I can put in food in the morning and have it ready in 7 to 8 hours. Yeah you can't burn it but you can over cook it.

@Calchick7 4 жыл бұрын

how do you do your sweet potatoes in them ? thanks

@theresamcbroom937 4 жыл бұрын

Can you put these in the windshield?

@drewnation9905 3 жыл бұрын

Would it pop a bag of popcorn?

@gabbyofmilton Ай бұрын

I think you need to update these cookers

@letitrest4662 3 жыл бұрын

Jim have you ever put a small cast iron dutch oven inside the solar cooker, and if so did it work well ?

@rickyshappenings 2 жыл бұрын

My exact question

@brokenpencil57 Жыл бұрын

The mass of iron is going to add a bunch to your cook time. It will hold the heat thru a passing cloud.

@Calchick7 4 жыл бұрын

how hot has the SunFlair gotten up to ?

@fredschreffler4869 2 жыл бұрын

which is best for baking read

@claudiapatry9454 2 жыл бұрын

👉. What Surprised Me ....Jim Said ...He Use. Un the Snow ! 😲 Wow ! ...That's What I Was Thinking Before When i Start To Know About The Solar Oven ! ..i Was Thinking Yes That's Good With the Sun But ...Us ..👉 We Have SNOW In the Winter ! .🤔 So Jim Talk about ! 👍 Good Thing To Know To Use on the Snow ❄️❄️❄️ I'm Very Glad .....Someone. Experienced IT ! ..👋👋👋 Guys ! 👍 🤩🥰💞💞💞 .

@jarrellestes1793 Жыл бұрын

Fallen instructions and went to the description on smartphone but could not link on Amazon thank you

@shellyscott9595 5 жыл бұрын

I'd like to have seen you get it all folded together looks like it could take awhile?

@sarahmitchell9366 5 жыл бұрын

that is all folded. it doesn't fold more than that.

@bobham919 4 жыл бұрын

like trying to fold a map in the old days.

@SSanf 5 жыл бұрын

That was a good review.

@sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924 2 жыл бұрын

I am sure the yellow oven folds up to a smaller footprint than that, I wonder how it would operate if you painted the pot area with matt black paint??? Thanks for the video.

@oldtimerlee8820 2 жыл бұрын

It will fold down to the same size as it was originally shipped. There were more folds available than what was in the video to make it more compact.

@mrsjohnson1743 5 жыл бұрын

Great presentation! I wonder, would the All Season (yellow) oven would work with a piece of vinyl on the front instead of placing the pot in an oven bag? Or, do you think the heat would be too much for the wall materials? I like to be able to easily open and stir/add to my cooking pot.

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

Using a piece of glass as a lid would severely limit the amount of space to cook in. Above you will see where someone uses two glass bowls to creat the cooking chamber

@JimLaJoieAllSeasonSolarCooker Жыл бұрын

The weight of the food and pot is more than ample to hold the All Season in the wind

@lockergr 3 жыл бұрын

I think the biggest factor is the pans. I tend to like and non-toxic cookware so I would probably just go for one of the ovens. I wonder if the All-American Sun Oven is still the best one out there. Anyone know?

@oldtimerlee8820 2 жыл бұрын

Enamelware is non-reactive - non toxic. I found small dark enamelware roasters, at a flea market, that would fit these fine. Bought new enamelware pots that would be ideal for this use.

@rickyshappenings 2 жыл бұрын

Would cast iron work good in these

@shemanator247 4 жыл бұрын

ROCKET STOVE BEATS THEM ALL

@Shoshanim222 5 жыл бұрын

Fascinating! 😁

@pooddescrewch8718 2 жыл бұрын

I wonder how well it would work with a focused lens ? I once saw th3 lens from on of those old projection TVs used to start a fire .

@brokenpencil57 Жыл бұрын

Makes a small hot spot, food over cooks/burns.

@SolarCookingGermany 11 ай бұрын

I have some videos where I cook with Fresnel lenses

@SolarCookingGermany 11 ай бұрын

@@brokenpencil57 Unfocus the lens and use an electric turntable to rotate the food, works really great for me 👍

@jeancassup8878 3 жыл бұрын

Can you make one with mirrors? Is that enough reflectivity?

@brokenpencil57 Жыл бұрын

Yes, very good, but fragile and heavy.

@bobham919 4 жыл бұрын

a real clay crock pot would work well. put your stuff in it early in the day and let it sit all day then at night its ready to eat

@brokenpencil57 Жыл бұрын

Needs to be flat black to absorb the suns solar radiation most efficiently. Also the huge thermal mass of a clay pot will take a long time to heat and significantly delay your meal.

@kathybowen531 5 жыл бұрын

Bob how are the caravans coming along? I haven’t seen any videos from either group. I will be attending the caravan outside of Parker today.

@tommygunn7745 2 жыл бұрын

at about 11:00 flash vapor ? Sure wish youd boil 1 or 2 cups of rice,or a couple top rahamans and time them. I realize one doesent come to boil.so use a thermostat in each. That give me/us a better idea of time difference. good shows

@macrumpton 5 жыл бұрын

Both ovens are now $89 on Amazon if you use the links above.

@louisemissouri4410 5 жыл бұрын

It seems that you could get a cardboard box covered in tin foil and an oven rack and an oven bag and adjusting to the sun and do it for 10 dollars.

@saltygreek3870 5 жыл бұрын

Yup

@solarboondocker4597 5 жыл бұрын

You can make your own. Here are the plans for a number of cookers and ovens. solarcooking.org/plans/

@saltygreek3870 5 жыл бұрын

@@solarboondocker4597 yeah ! I am sure one can but I am atill not understanding why one would want wantvlil propane bottle $3 or buy a bigger propane bottle last lober and cheaper to refill , if its just about heating water a simple thing as a black bucket with lid with a black back round will heat up ur water for showering and dishes,they do sell those black plastic solar shower bags those wotk great for showering but if ur planning on boiling water non of these solar cooker boil water, just think its a gimmick and takes you much time to set up and ur pretty screwed on those cloudy cold days

@louisemissouri4410 5 жыл бұрын

@@solarboondocker4597 thank you, some of us can't afford the ones shown and if I can build my own it would save me money. I have the rack and pots but thought it would be great to just get the rest and be able to pay for the food to cook in it. Ill check out the plans. Again thank you.

@louisemissouri4410 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for all the comments it really helped having that link. When you have money items like this are awesome but when your on a fixed income you have to adjust your thinking and become creative.

@jarrellestes1793 Жыл бұрын

Can't use links when tried on smartphone

@rabbitslippers Жыл бұрын

Where can I buy the black pot and lid??

@DaNinja60 Жыл бұрын

I used a funnel solar cooker for years and painted a mason jar black and used a oven bag around it. You might consider painting one you find at a thrift store for cheap and see how it works out.