Van Life Essentials Cooking in Van with a Solar Oven

[@BarbaraYates]

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

[@insanemainstream3633]

Put it on a lazy susan

[@lightdark00]

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.

[@terisalund3367]

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

[@shaunhall1838]

Everyone needs a companion like Cody. ❤️

[@CheapRVliving]

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]

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

[@terianderson7951]

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]

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]

@@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]

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

[@terianderson7951]

@@lightdark00 I like to refocus every 30 minutes.

[@DaNinja60]

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

[@Jessica-pq1rc]

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!

[@zoommikerobinson3315]

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]

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

[@solarboondocker4597]

That is funny!

[@zoommikerobinson3315]

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

[@kathymack3791]

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

[@zoommikerobinson3315]

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.

[@JohannaParrishParrish_Place]

Bob Lol ever since I got the Sol Cooker all Season Cooker, I do feel like it's my easy bake oven or plastic toddler kitchen. It's so easy! I have used it IN ILLINOIS in early spring to cook ham, or experiment. Now I have a digital meet thermometer and run the cords out the oven bags with a bread tie closure. And it cooks pork chops perfect with my enamel whatever turkey cooker fryer pan thing! Lol took it camping at Jellystone this weekend, and Alot of guest said what's that and we explained. Loved it cooked my pork chops in 3:hours in full sun unexpected

[@xanadu1jw]

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.

[@TheBioExplorer]

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]

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

[@willywonka8730]

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

[@rexrexerest5023]

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

[@thequintessential5503]

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

[@NavyAssassinOnBLAST]

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! 😊

[@maehay4065]

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]

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]

Good idea

[@grannieannie1371]

Excellent idea.

[@sarahmitchell9366]

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]

There you are!

[@46B3x2you]

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.

[@haroldfitz5146]

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]

Interesting idea!

[@mrsjohnson1743]

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

[@ZEN-qb1lu]

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

[@Pyrinsomniac]

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.

[@cindyglass5827]

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

[@gloria2619]

Crockpot cooking for free. Love it.

[@charlesuh60m]

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]

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]

@@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]

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

[@brokenpencil57]

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

[@Woodsandwizdom]

I enjoy all your videos! I always pick up a tidbit of knowledge from each one. Plus I have to say, I find it pleasing that in most videos I can always spot your dog walking around in the background enjoying the weather, and his cameo. :)

[@davem776]

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

[@shannonembree6916]

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

[@marjoriehall9984]

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.

[@dentaldoc1460]

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

[@kleenmary7060]

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!

[@claudiapatry9454]

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 ⚜️ 🇨🇦

[@amypatterson-bocchi2514]

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

[@whatnext715]

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.

[@janetbrowning9089]

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.😊💖

[@connieelliott5359]

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

[@ronaldsahn9649]

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.

[@EagleArrow]

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

[@evvie01]

Solar Slow Cooker. Love it.

[@Immortal-_-0n]

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

[@LadyFrosti]

Super helpful Gentlemen, thank you.

[@dabprod]

Excellent. I really enjoyed the videos on solar cookers.

[@lightdark00]

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.

[@ericdrews5050]

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]

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

[@meanderingmaggie8821]

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!

[@WhiteHouseVideomaker]

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.

[@xxxccc4034]

Seems like a good option for reheating food.

[@claudiapatry9454]

👉. 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 ! 👍 🤩🥰💞💞💞 .

[@chocoboasylum]

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

[@lesley-annmathews7971]

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

[@KatyInNH]

Thanks so much for these reviews!!!!!

[@darlenehansen5342]

Thank you Jim and Bob! Great product review!

[@josephgant3597]

Alot of man are good cooks ever chiefs

[@starwish2467]

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

[@gaetanproductions]

Thanks for the video guys !

[@georgiemiller3506]

Hey Guys Great Video Jim & Bob!

[@brianjones7521]

Jim of the Jungle...Jungle Jim

[@boitoiful]

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

[@melissabrewer2712]

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

[@jeancassup8878]

There's a prep site where a lady makes one

[@Vlfkfnejisjejrjtjrie]

@@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]

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

[@flybobbie1449]

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

[@bobham919]

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

[@9Rayita]

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

[@lilylou1513]

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

[@solarboondocker4597]

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.

[@kelli3610]

YES Been waiting for this one Thank you!

[@gabbyofmilton]

I think you need to update these cookers

[@RVJoey]

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

[@solarboondocker4597]

I know you! You are NOT panda. lol

[@edgit69]

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

[@solarboondocker4597]

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

[@Hippiecat67]

@@solarboondocker4597 Crazy cougar on the hunt!

[@solarboondocker4597]

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

[@speterbilt]

Put velcro on the yellow one instead of bolts

[@brokenpencil57]

Velcro won't allow the sides to pivot around the bolts when changing the angle to the sun.

[@anapaulasmoraes1839]

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

[@cherbear1996]

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..

[@calvininman4737]

Yeah the dog uses the shade from his owner 😅😅😅

[@JimLaJoieAllSeasonSolarCooker]

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

[@gerald6692]

Thank you for the informative videos

[@shemanator247]

ROCKET STOVE BEATS THEM ALL

[@brookedolby440]

Hi Jim and Bob.

[@drewnation9905]

Would it pop a bag of popcorn?

[@user-uy8nw9zm6b]

What is the coldest weather the ovens can be used in? Thank you.

[@jmd8675]

Would cast iron be too heavy for the SunFlair?

[@letitrest4662]

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

[@rickyshappenings]

My exact question

[@brokenpencil57]

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

[@hareth3911]

In iraq’s sun they would be the standard for cooking 😅👌🌹

[@ApothecaryGrant]

The dog bombing the video lol

[@bobham919]

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]

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.

[@jarrellestes1793]

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

[@fredschreffler4869]

which is best for baking read

[@macrumpton]

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

[@bobham919]

like trying to fold a map in the old days.

[@rickyshappenings]

Would cast iron work good in these

[@tommygunn7745]

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

[@kennethblandin3077]

Cast iron will hold heat take s longer to heat up.

[@louisemissouri4410]

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]

Yup

[@solarboondocker4597]

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

[@saltygreek3870]

@@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]

@@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]

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.

[@Franetzky]

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

[@brianjones7521]

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

[@RVFreeDa]

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.

[@WhiteHouseVideomaker]

You can make your own little oven with a cardboard box placed inside of another cardboard box, that is slightly larger. Leave the flaps of the cardboard box outside "up" at 45 degree angles and cover the inside of them with tin foil. Paint the inside of the smaller box inside, black. Find a piece of glass to cover the top of everything. Use any glass container with a cover (preferably glass or metal cover) to cook your food in. You will (obviously!) place your glass container with food inside the boxes and cover it with glass. Place in sunlight. Voila. Or try these methods: www.skilledsurvival.com/solar-oven-solar-cooker/

[@YourMajesty143]

Cardboard doesn't do well with humidity & moisture. It also lacks insulation. Cork is better.

[@sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924]

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]

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.

[@rabbitslippers]

Where can I buy the black pot and lid??

[@DaNinja60]

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.

[@ApothecaryGrant]

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]

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

[@SolarCookingGermany]

I have some videos where I cook with Fresnel lenses

[@SolarCookingGermany]

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

[@SSanf]

That was a good review.

[@lockergr]

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]

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.

[@Calchick7]

how do you do your sweet potatoes in them ? thanks

[@jarrellestes1793]

Can't use links when tried on smartphone

[@jeancassup8878]

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

[@brokenpencil57]

Yes, very good, but fragile and heavy.

[@Brenda0312F]

Nothing takes longer than 3-4 hours? It takes almost that long to cook a roast in the oven. 🥰

[@mindyschocolate]

Yup, but you have to use the oven. That’s a no-go for me, as where I live it can hit up to 113 degrees in summer. I won’t use the oven. Also great for power outages and camping. 🥰

[@nataliegist2014]

What about putting it in a window putting empty pans in it and heating a house