15 March 2008

4 Advantages of Using a Portable and Solar-Powered Camping Stove

The advantages of using portable and solar powered cooking stove as an outdoor cooking alternative are: environment friendly, allowed in airline baggage,  does not burn food, and you do not need additional fuel.

Cooking outdoors is always fun especially when one would have an efficient cooking alternative such as portable solar powered camping stove. While others are doubtful with the capacity of a solar powered stoves, it has become very effective cooking alternative in remote areas. These stove provides just about the same result in cooking  with a regular camp burner. Solar powered stoves have become an innovative and popular choice of backpackers and hikers who are environment conscious. The advantages are elaborated below:

Environment friendly

Amongst all types of camp stoves, solar powered stoves are the most environment friendly. Its heating system is powered by harnessing our sun's UV radiation into heat. This simple mechanism is able to produce heat that is enough to boil water and cook food. Unlike other camp burners that produce fuel residues and wastes, solar powered stoves are 100% waste free.

Allowed in airline baggage

While most burners and camp stoves are confiscated in airlines, solar powered stoves are the only cooking system that is allowed as baggage. Its mechanism is just a simple cooking flat form and solar panel. Because it is allowed as an airline baggage then it can practically be brought anywhere. Portable solar powered stove is ideal for a cross-country backpacker.

Does not burn food

A solar powered stove cooks food by reflecting the sunlight into a light absorbing cookware. It uses a transparent insulators to trap heat. Heating depends on the hotness of the weather. Since it is solar powered the heat that is provided is just enough to cook the food. Other stoves use direct fire and can burn the food if left unattended. Solar powered stoves on the other hand do not use direct heat and therefore cannot burn food.

Does not need additional fuel

Other types of cooking stoves require a specific fuel to produce heat. Fuel varies from pressurize butane and propane gases, alcohol, wood, and charcoal. Most of these fuels may be cost prohibited or may not be available especially in remote areas. Once fuel is depleted, other types of cooking stove will be of no use and can be considered as unnecessary load for backpackers. With the portable solar powered stoves, cooking is unlimited especially in sunny areas. Solar powered cooking stove allows long term cooking without having to worry of budgeting the fuel supply. It is the most least cost stove that does use any fuel to function.

The reflecting solar panel may irritate your eyes. Remember to always protect your eyes when cooking with a solar powered cooking stove. Also consider the weather condition before using the solar powered cooking stove to ensure that you'll have a fully cooked meal before the sun sets.

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