Best Solar Cookers

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 8, 2024
All fans of picnics and camping should definitely take advantage of the sun while being in woods or mountains. A solar cooker is a device specifically designed for cooking meals right in the sun. Consider our selection of the best models we've come across so far and make your choice. ...Read more ...Read less
Advertiser Disclosure
BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Cooking Methods
Food Capacity
Construction
Temperature
Size
Accessories
Warranty
 
PROS

An ultra-light multicooker that you can take with you anywhere. It cooks food in just 20 minutes, reaching temperatures up to 550 °F in bright sunlight. GOSUN Sport effectively captures UV light and retains heat.

CONS

Small food capacity.

OUR VERDICT

Thanks to the durable material, you can take this multicooker with you on a hike, on vacation, or on the beach. An excellent solution for a family or a couple of tourists.

detailed parameters
Cooking Methods

Grilling, frying, baking, boiling, simmering, brewing, stewing

Food Capacity

0.84 pounds

Construction

Stainless steel

Temperature

~180-550 °F

Size

14.17 x 7.09 x 3.35 inches / 1.99 lbs

Accessories

2 parabolic reflectors, EVA frame, Stainless steel cooking tray, Stabilizer stand, User manual and mini cookbook

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

This solar cooker offers improved performance with additional features to increase heat and efficiency. The panel construction of Haines 2 distributes the heat evenly across the bottom of the pot.

CONS

The design looks rather flimsy.

OUR VERDICT

Cook delicious meals using the power of the sun. Haines is suitable for home use, camping, or for power outages and emergencies.

detailed parameters
Cooking Methods

Grilling, frying, baking, boiling, simmering, brewing, stewing

Food Capacity

4.5 pounds

Construction

Stainless steel

Temperature

180-275 °F

Size

28 x 16 x 11 inches / 6 lbs

Accessories

Dutch oven, Assembly instructions

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The model doesn't lose its effectiveness throughout the day. You can use this device to dry firewood, shoes, and gear. With its help, you'll be able to make candles without setting the wax ablaze.

CONS

The polypropylene is relatively subpar. 

OUR VERDICT

There is so much you'll be able to do with this solar cooker that calling it a cooker in the first place is a little reductive. Having said that, it is a great cooker. With it, you can cook from dusk to dawn, preparing enough food for 3-4 people at a time. 

detailed parameters
Cooking Methods

Grilling, frying, baking, boiling, simmering, brewing, stewing

Food Capacity

5 pounds

Construction

Corrugated polypropylene

Temperature

~180-300 °F

Size

18.3 x 16.3 x 4.5 inches / 4.75 lbs

Accessories

1 metal grill

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The rays are concentrated inside the oven, and the heat gradually rises up and heats up your food. This design allows the use of solar energy and converts it into thermal energy. Jwn easily folds into a bag with handles for carrying.

CONS

The line may not be stitched with consistent quality.

OUR VERDICT

The ultralight, portable, and fashionable design makes it easy to use this cooker for outdoor activities. Take this solar oven when you go camping, boating, or BBQing.

detailed parameters
Cooking Methods

Grilling, frying, baking, boiling, simmering, brewing, stewing

Food Capacity

~ 4.5 pounds

Construction

Composite mirror cotton

Temperature

180-248 °F

Size

20 x 16.25 x 1.5 inches / 1.25 lbs

Accessories

1 solar oven bag

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

Cook without propane, gas, fire, or electricity. This model not only heats up to a temperature comparable to a kitchen oven, but also reaches these temperatures 6-7 times faster than a charcoal grill.

CONS

The set-up is pretty complex for a beginner.

OUR VERDICT

With this device, you can cook food quickly, without the smell of smoke on clothes, and absolutely environmentally friendly. This classic solar cooker harnesses the power of the sun by reflecting and amplifying its rays onto the cookware.

detailed parameters
Cooking Methods

Grilling, frying, baking, boiling, simmering, brewing, stewing

Food Capacity

8 pounds

Construction

High-quality carbon steel plate

Temperature

1292-1832 °F

Size

32 x 28 x 5.1 inches / 30 lbs

Accessories

Magnesia reflector panel, Advanced self-healing polymers

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

X

This site is a free online resource that strives to offer helpful content and comparison features to its visitors. Please be advised that the operator of this site accepts advertising compensation from certain companies that appear on the site, and such compensation impacts the location and order in which the companies (and/or their products) are presented, and in some cases may also impact the scoring that is assigned to them. The scoring that appears on this site is determined by the site operator in its sole discretion, and should NOT be relied upon for accuracy purposes. In fact, Company/product listings on this page DO NOT imply endorsement by the site operator. Except as expressly set forth in our Terms of Use, all representations and warranties regarding the information presented on this page are disclaimed. The information which appears on this site is subject to change at any time. More info

GOSUN ‎1GG1D1P1

As Compact As It Gets

Going camping and need a portable cooker? Why not try a solar one? GOSUN is the absolute top in the size department and can be used anywhere in the sunlight. Hikers, campers, and motorboat owners, take notes.

Let’s start with how compact this amazing device is. Measuring 14.17 x 7.09 x 3.35 inches and weighing 2 pounds, it will fit into a travel backpack – and won’t overburden you. Perfect for long hiking trips or mountain camping, this oven will bring you lots of delicious, happy moments.

You’ll only need a sunny day to use this oven. GOSUN’s patented tech absorbs a wide range of radiation spectrum. You don’t need to be in California and have 200% of sunlight every minute. Just a little bit of it will do, and you’ll have your hot meal ready in up to 20 minutes’ time.

Full sunlight? Good for you. The cooking temperature may reach up to 550 °F under such conditions. As a result, your food will be done to perfection and not lose its flavor.

Can this oven cater to multiple people? Its capacity is 0.84 pounds, which will be fine for 1-2 people – but won’t satiate a large group in one take. Just what you might expect from a super portable device.

Review of GOSUN ‎1GG1D1P1 Solar Oven Portable Stove

Cooks Small, Tastes Big

How exactly does this oven work? Parabolic reflectors focus the captured sunlight on a vacuum tube. This tube does an amazing job of keeping up to 80% of sunrays as the heat. Next, your food gets cooked, and you get to taste it; as simple as that.

Need some boiling water for your dried food supplies? GOSUN is here to help you. This solar over can be used for boiling water in a small amount of time. Instant soups are also covered, and non-adventurers can warm up their coffee with this handy oven.

In fact, you’ll be amazed at how much food you can cook using GOSUN. Meat, for instance, can come out juicy and better than on a grill. Potatoes, fajita vegetables, snacks like hotdogs, risotto, even bread and cookies, also make the list. Note that you should avoid using foods that expand when heated. Also, let the tube cool down before you add new contents.

GOSUN comes with durable EVA foam hardshell case and a stainless steel cooking tray for your convenience. There’s even a mini cookbook for beginners, which is always a nice touch.

To sum up, this portable oven is really pushing the boundaries of outdoor solar cooking.

GOSUN ‎1GG1D1P1 Solar Oven Portable Stove in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07CJP52D6

 

Haines H20

Your Cooking Powerhouse

Solar cookers are delicious and affordable. If you don’t want to waste your gas or electricity, try the Haines model. Easy to set up and use, this outdoor oven will save your wallet – and boost the quality of your meals.

Haines measures 28 x 16 x 11 inches and weighs 6 pounds. You can easily collapse and fold down its parts for convenient storage. While it does take up some space and won’t fit on a small table, it’s not too huge or bulky. Thanks to this, the oven can be used at home or on a hiking trip. It will also help you in case of a sudden power outage.

This device easily captures the sunlight due to its powerful structure. It’s designed to maximize the heating power of the sun and reward you with delicious meals. All you need to do is put the two main pieces together and fit the sleeve around the oven. When it’s windy outside, make sure to place some weights on the flaps.

The Dutch oven that comes with this device has a convenient glass lid. This is made to put you in control of the cooking process. The silicone knob on the top helps avoid accidental burns. Just don’t forget to use hot pads when lifting the oven.

Review of Haines H20 2.0 SunUp Solar Cooker

Faster & Better Meals

This solar oven boasts a large reflective area, which means faster cooking. Bacon will take a couple hours to get crispy, while plain chicken legs will need around 1.5 hours to be done to perfection. You’re more than welcome to experiment with the perfect cooking time for any food.

Part of what influences the heating speed is knowing how to read the sun and align the oven accordingly. The manufacturer includes detailed instructions on how to set it up. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you’ll be able to understand and follow them.

You can cook pretty much anything with Haines. Meat, chicken, stew, rice, eggs, you name it. Turn your backyard into an outdoor kitchen and treat your guests to juicy and full-flavored food. If you need some hot or boiled water, this device can make up to 18 cups of it.

Haines is portable and can be disassembled with no effort. You’re also welcome to keep it up and ready during the hot season in your backyard. Need this oven for a hiking trip? No problem. It won’t overburden you and will come in very handy for the group.

Overall, this solar oven is the cornerstone of portable, energy efficient, and delicious cooking.

Haines H20 2.0 SunUp Solar Cooker in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07B5KX18D

 

SolCook All Season

An Efficient Cooker

The people behind this cooker advertise it as the world's most efficient solar cooker. That's a lofty title and we don't necessarily feel comfortable assigning it to this product. It is, however, most definitely up there, somewhere in that "most efficient" vicinity. But let's start with the basics.

First things first, just like any other solar-powered cooker, the model will allow you to cook anywhere. All you need is a little sunshine, even with some broken clouds here and there. It will let you cook early in the morning as well as in the middle of the day or closer to the late afternoon. It allows you to focus on the sun with great ease and accuracy.

It is able to quickly reach the cooking temperature, meaning that this little solar appliance will not be wasting a whole lot of your time. The model fits most cookware and you'll be able to use it with practically any pot out there.

Review of SolCook All Season Camper Solar Cooker

The Lightweight Champion

Again, the biggest advantage, as well as the biggest selling point of this product is how it doesn't lose its effectiveness throughout the day. The way it is built allows the model to essentially trap sunrays at any angle, doesn't matter what time of the day it is, you should be able to use it from the early morning right up to the later evening.

What we have here isn't the biggest, most spacious solar cooker on the market today. Far from it, really. Adding up to 18.3 x 16.3 x 4.5 inches in overall dimensions, the model's food capacity doesn't exceed 5 pounds. That being said, it should be able to accommodate enough food for 3-4 people at a time.

Plus, what the model lacks in the capacity department it more than makes up with its lightweight construction. The whole thing weighs less than 5 pounds, which is practically unprecedented for solar cookers. You'll be able to transport it anywhere and move the cooker around with remarkable ease.

SolCook All Season Camper Solar Cooker in the use

More Than Just a Cooker

Now, the aforementioned lightweight construction carries with it a certain disadvantage. Made of corrugated polypropylene, it is as functional and effective as its stainless steel or aluminum counterparts but hardly as durable.

On the bright side, you can do so much more with this thing than just prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For example, you can use it to dry firewood, shoes, and gear. With its help, you'll be able to make candles without setting the wax ablaze. Given how quickly the model evaporates salt water, you can definitely use it for a little domestic salt production. This thing excels at dehydrating vegetables and drying jerky, be it beef, poultry, or fish.

Bottom line, there is so much you'll be able to do with this solar cooker that calling it a cooker in the first place is a little reductive. Having said that, it is a great cooker. With it, you can cook from dusk to dawn. 

Detailed review of SolCook All Season Camper Solar Cooker
Last updated price $87.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B074S74FQC

 

Jwn CA-Handtool-442

A Foldable Kitchen

Roast, fry, grill, sauté, steam, or bake all sorts of food with Jwn solar oven. Ultralight and stylish, it’s a great find for your home, camping, or boating.

With the open size of approximately 26.8 x 15.7", this oven can be easily folded into a fashionable “handbag”. Should you need to bring it to the neighbors for a backyard party, they may not even recognize it as a solar oven (at first). Any outdoor activity, like a hiking trip or barbeque, will benefit from this compact yet efficient model.

As evident, Jwn runs on sunlight energy. It concentrates the rays inside, with the heat gradually rising and cooking food. You’re welcome to use the cookware of your choice with this oven. Opt for the black to efficiently trap the heat inside; thin cookware is also on the recommended list.

The temp range of Jwn is 180-248 °F, and it easily cooks for up to 4 people, which is great for small parties or tourist groups.

Note that this oven works best on sunny days. If it gets cloudy, the temperature inside the oven may not be sufficient for all your cooking needs. To put it simply, it may warm up your food – but not roast it.

Review of Jwn CA-Handtool-442 Green Portable Solar Oven Bag Cooker Sun

Perfect for Slow Cooking

Jwn comes with a vacuum aluminizing sheet reflector. Meat or fish, bread or noodles, water or coffee, this oven will take care of everything. You can even use it as a substitute for your regular home oven in case of emergency.

Keep in mind that this solar cooker is probably slower than the gas or electricity powered models. However, it spares your wallet, letting you save up on the ever-growing bills. If you’re living in a hot and sunny region, this device will come in very handy.

To make the most of this solar oven, let your cookware of choice warm up inside before adding food. Another useful life hack: start cooking early to catch more direct sunlight. Some food can even be left in the oven for the day to make a wonderful hot supper. And if you’re more comfortable with precooked packages, these can be warmed up with no problem.

As this oven is foldable and compact, it can easily make the list of your survival gear. Try it out during outdoor activities, and you won’t be disappointed. After all, this would be much more nature friendly than the traditional campfire.

Summing up, the Jwn solar oven will simply shine in your backyard – or on a long trip.

Jwn CA-Handtool-442 Green Portable Solar Oven Bag Cooker Sun in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07C1BHK8G

 

GDAE10 59'' Diameter

The Power of the Heat

Summer or winter, the GDAE10 solar cooker is ready to deliver perfectly fine meals to your dinner table. This portable device can be a lifesaver on camping trips – or the key element of your outdoor party.

With the diameter of 1.5 m, the cooker reaches the staggering focal spot temps of 1292 °F-1832 °F. Comparable to a kitchen oven, it’s also way faster than the usual charcoal grill. But that’s not all; the reflectors are adjustable and allow setting the perfect temp for roasted meat as well as more tender foods.

The GDAE10 weighs 30 lbs., which is somewhat heavy, of course. However, you can move it around without breaking your back if you need to free some space or find an ideal heating spot. Your backyard or patio will surely be able to accommodate it.

Note that this oven generates lots of heat, so you shouldn’t store it in the sunlight. Avoid standing in the way of reflected rays, as they are so powerful that may even cause skin burns.

The GDAE10 comes with illustrated instructions as to how you should assemble it. Not all of them are detailed enough, unfortunately. If you’re a complete beginner with solar cookers or panels, you may need some research or help videos to set it up.

Review of GDAE10 59'' Diameter Portable Solar Cooker

Versatile and Stable

This solar oven operates by reflecting and intensifying the sun rays toward the cookware. It comes with upscale self-healing polymers that boost the heating process and prolong the mirrors’ life. Rest assured that you won’t be needing a replacement any time soon.

As to the foods that you can cook, the sky is the limit. Anything from meat to fish or spaghetti will make the list. This oven can also boil water in no time – or warm up coffee and your other drinks. Unlike with grills, your food will be soot and ash free, and you won’t be suffocating from the dense smoke.

Despite its size, the GDAE10 is actually stable and doesn’t wobble. The cookware stays in place, and the food substance doesn’t pour over the edge. The rack is painted, but considering the temperatures, it may not stay this way for too long.

This cooker can be tweaked if needed to better suit your goals. If you’re working on it outdoors, wear sunglasses and avoid contact with reflected rays.

Solar cooking demonstrations will not end up boring your guests. Once you know the set-up, you can do it quickly, and the cooking speed won’t let you down.

All in all, the GDAE10 is one of the most powerful solar ovens for its price.

GDAE10 59'' Diameter Portable Solar Cooker in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07NTCXCXY

 

Infographics

Comparison of  Solar Cookers

What Is a Solar Cooker?

Within a very short time after being first introduced to the consumer market, a solar cooker has become one of those devices everyone wanted to have. And this comes as no surprise, considering the benefits and practicality solar cookers offer. Designed as a standalone unit, solar cookers come pretty small, compact, often foldable, so that a user could easily transport it if going camping or elsewhere. They require no fuel at all, which sets them wide apart from all other kitchen equipment, and yet, they can replace a conventional cooker, thanks to their high heating performance. So how do solar cookers work? Though they may take different forms and come in a variety of designs, they all have a mirrored surface to which the sunlight attracts and further converts into the heat required for cooking. Thus, all you really need for making a meal on one of these cookers is good weather and enough sun. Even if you’re not a camp enthusiast, having a solar cooker may benefit you in many ways. Whenever the weather’s fine and beautiful, and you’ve got guests around, you can treat them to some absolutely fantastic meals prepared in the fresh air with one of the solar cookers we offer for your review and consideration.

If you’re an outdoorsy kind of person, and you often travel with your family or friends, there are more other things, besides a cooker, that you should gear yourself up in advance. For starters, you will need a camping tent, and it’s got to provide enough space for all travelers. You may also need a solar panel. Even though sometimes we all want to be cut off from civilization, you don’t want to be without mobile gadgets for too long. If you go somewhere to the sea, you can take a boat and teach your kids fishing. While if you go to the woods, you may like an idea of taking binoculars with you for watching birds, hawks, and other animals wandering peacefully yards away from you. Make sure that your camping kit includes all the stuff and gear you and your family need to have a great time together.

What Features to Compare

Type

Despite a wide range of options available, most solar cookers fall into these three main varieties: solar panel cookers, solar box cookers, and solar parabolic cookers. The most common and popular ones are solar box cookers. Produced from a couple of boxes, with insulation and a transparent lid, box cookers effectively trap the rays of the sun and retain them inside a cooking container for effective results. The operating principle of solar panel cookers is based pretty much on the same concept, with the only difference that instead of the glass they use a special panel to convert the light into the heat. Panel cookers consist of two units and are usually made out of aluminum, foil, or a thin sheet of metal with a mirrored surface. Parabolic cookers are constructed quite differently and unlike the other two varieties, may require certain skills and experience. The advantage of parabolic cookers, however, is that they reach higher temperatures within a shorter period of time and that they can be adjusted to fit different cooking needs. The downside is, some of them are limited in the amount of food to be cooked. This is why when choosing a solar cooker, you should choose with that thought in mind.

Size

What else you may want to check out is a cooker’s dimensions. As a rule, the biggest of the three cookers are parabolic, which is kind of obvious, seeing its design peculiarities and materials used. Box cookers, on the contrary, are usually the most lightweight. They can be made out of either paper, cardboard, wood or similar materials that have a very little weight. Solar panel cookers are often produced to be compact and small, either. The only part about them that some of you may find less convenient is an uneven shape of a cooking bag. In all the rest, they boast the same effectiveness as the other two.

Features

Accessories and extra features may also vary, and even if you don't want them all, some of the things like a built-in thermometer, several extra pans or pots or trays will definitely come in handy. Hopefully, in our review of the 5 best solar cookers, you will find the right solar cooker for your particular needs.

Other reviews
Comments
0 Comments

Your comment was successfully sent

Error! Please try again later