I had a large wooden planter sloped out at the top. Lined it with aluminum foil, topped with a piece of glass (taped edges). Have cooked in it for 15 years. Things don't burn or dry out. I mostly cook in a black pot like a slow cooker, but it bakes too. I live in the NM mountains, sun 300 days per year.
Food for thought on the glass... I saved the glass doors from an old TV stand, the edges are beveled/smooth. An old stereo unit or similar will also have these tempered doors so not as fragile as plain glass.
After I watched this video a few years ago I bought the inexpensive foil model. I don't remember the details of my test but it got a mug of water extremely hot in very little time! I keep it permanently in my vehicle now because whether camping or in an emergency, if you've got some sun it would be a great way to warm up some water to drink or wash with!
An All American Sun Oven is designed to use in winds up to 40 mph. It is 20% bigger than the Global Sun Oven used in the video. It can be turned on its side to be able to cook from the first lite of day or for winter cooking. A 21-pound turkey can be baked in a baking bag.
Best video out there that really goes into the true pros and cons and which may be a better option for your particular needs. Awesome video! Thank you!
When I was doing construction in Kansas, I took an aluminum cake pan, put a piece of 3/4" double foil faced insulation in the bottom of the pan with the top side painted flat black. I could put a TV dinner in the pan in the morning and cover it with the clear plastic lid and I had a hot meal for lunch.
I have had a Sun Oven for years and it's wonderful. You can make one out of a cardboard box, glass to cover the opening, and tin foil on the flaps. It can boil water for you or cook if the sun is out.
After watching this I ended up buying a solar oven/cooker. I got a Gosun Sport which doesn’t cook a huge amount of food at a time but is relatively compact and heats up fast and to a high temperature. I’m even finding that it cooks with just the light of a heat lamp (cooking brownies right now). Thanks for the informative video!
I like solar cooking from parabolic box and vacuum tube cooking, which I'm just recently started in the past. I've built inexpensively a heaven. Flame box cooker reached 330° with it. Using tempered glass made my own reflectors and everything and quite efficient. Used to make chicken stews in it. I like anything that deals with solar.
So far this is the most informative comparison of sun ovens I have seen. I appreciate that you aren't giving a 'top 5' type comparison but more of a pros and cons and favorite ways to use etc. Also, I have been wondering about wind and no one really talks about that until you both! THANK YOU! Also, even though you aren't exact on your pricing, the ballpark figures you throw out with the list of what is included is very helpful and another thing I have not seen in other videos. I really appreciate your honest and thorough reviews and I look forward to seeing what other such treasures are on your channel! Thank you!
The best thing about a solar oven is not heating up your house. I dont mind baking inside in the winter but lawd have mercy, you can't be in my house if you have my oven on for more than a few minutes.
I've seen the All American one before at this organic farm I used to volunteer at, but never got to see it being used to see how it worked. So this was nice to see
I can't wait to see the other video with the all season solar cooker. I'm thinking about getting it but want to see your review. Thanks for your reviews.
Hi Jim! Just want to tell everyone that if you ever camp with Jim and he offers you food, jump on it! :)) I know it's not your fav, Jim, but I still want the Solar Flair Oven and have ever since I interviewed you on my channel last year after you cooked baby back ribs for all of us. Yum! Thanks for this comparison and review. HugZ!
Hi Debra! I am glad to see you well. Remember that there is not the best of anything, just the best for you. The SunFlair is a perfectly functional solar cooker.
Thanks for the information. As always Bob, you find the best people to give us the best information available. Looking forward to hearing about the other two cookers.
I just upgraded my older American Sun Oven (like yours) with the newer leg and focus points and the newer glass for less than $90. Well worth the money. Do need a longer cover snap. Love mine, it will go in a Sprinter garage I will build in a couple years.
I have heard the Solavare is great. I had a parabolic type that concentrated the heat to the bottom of a cast iron pan and it got to well over 400 degrees F. I gave it away though. It was the size of Texas....
Thank you for this, I was leaning towards the Sport Oven, now I know I want one. Can't wait to see the comparison of the other two. I built one but it's just too heavy and big to use on the road.
That is actually the smaller Global Sun Oven, not the All American Sun Oven. I own both versions of the Sun Oven. The All American Sun Oven is blue and is 20% larger than the Global Sun Oven model that you demonstrated. This past Thanksgiving I was able to cook a 20-pound turkey in a cooking bag in the All American Solar Oven, so the 20% size increase makes a big difference.
Man I can’t wait. I am saving for a van everything I do is debt-free I love to cook outdoors. Bob I will meet you someday. Jim you are my solar hero my goal is to run AC 24 seven in a van.
Mr. Jim, can you please do your rib recipe cooking demonstration!? and other things you cook in the solar ovens, please! UPDATE: okay I found your Jim's solar boondocker channel and see how he does the ribs. Thanks so much, Bob and Jim!
12:55 ish...it can be leveled in ground thats has acceptable ground to grab a shovel and dig so that the angle changes? ...I think so although I dont have one.
Very excellent and informative review! I've been very curious about these ovens but there is not a lot of real useable info out there. Looking forward to your reviews of the smaller ovens! Thank you, gentlemen!!
@@solarboondocker4597 this would be very interesting and timely Jim! The world really needs this knowledge due to the looming blackouts in the US and Europe! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Bob and Jim/Tim?.! That was very informative. I may have to look in to one of those later on when I get a bigger rig☺. Safe travels to you both and see ya down the road!
I cook almost all summer with the all American sun oven. It cooks for 2 to 3 people really well. You save two fold on electricity by not using your house oven and again by not using the ac to cool the house down after heating it up using the oven. As my kids have gotten bigger, I’m looking for a second oven. And I know I want to get another All American which are now about $385 for the basic.
That one on the far right of the screen is the same exactly method that the guy on Boonies made his...he used tin foil and wire...but, you could even use cookie sheets...oh the possibilities...love this review better than the one with just the two...gives us more options...Thanks Jim and thanks Bob to getting Jim on camera to show us about these...he sure knows his solar ovens!! 🥘💡🌞😊💖
Yoo wicked set-up, does anyone have any estimations for cooking time : weight : volume? Season average... Recommendations for auto (?) sun tracking? Polish grit size of Al for max reflection? Can't wait to join the SolarClub! Cheerssss
I love Jim! He has the nicest calming disposition. All that food that he cooked and he says it like he just picked up the phone... no big deal 🤣 Another great video Bob! Truly informative.
Bob and jim, if you heat up your pan with your food on the stove first, then put it in the solar cooker it gives it a good start on long cooking foods. Also I found a small pressure cooker, paint flat black, that works great, cooking dried beans ect.
whatever is taking advantage of free nature as it is sun rays and weather is great :-) like when we, or i put water bottles on top of my car so i can take a shower with some less cold water lol :-) thumbs up and take care all
I considered a solar oven, but I live in Minnesota and it's not necessarily very sunny... I spent all summer in my van (with my parrot 🐒) and I have just gotten a place for the winter. I am going to sell my stuff- marine alcohol stove, solar generator, van..all of it. I would definitely do it again with a conversion van or a class b.
I'm not an engineer, but somehow I think you could have a true mechanical "fit's all" solar oven that folds nicely. Gas piston? (expands with heat) get a couple of them right and you can have a sort of mechanical sun tracker I think get some more hours of the it. You just have to do some manual positioning at first, then if you engineer it correctly 1 or more gas pistons could track the sun for a short period (3-4 hours I would guess). But make the oven with good grade materials and a good fordable structure and it would/will be awesome... And it could have many uses actually... with a (again good engineering) you could use it as a solar still and actually convert big amount of saltwater to a small amount of freshwater (and/or disinfect any water) just by the sun... with a couple thermoelectric generators in the back of the oven you could harness the heat and the shadow to create a small current for charging a battery (yes expensive, and inefficient compared to a solarpanel but it would be a "one package" and have some uses I think... I mean if you are not using the the current for anything (charging something) you could use it for a valve and a fan with a PTC/NTC and regulate the heat inside the oven... Imagine you could set you solar oven (with no external power) to a temperature of your liking... it could fan away the heat when the temp is to high and so on... Soo many possibilities with some good engineering I think...
I have the sun oven (for years) Love it. I have no trouble stacking and cooking. I don't know why but everything does taste better in a sun oven. Nice video thanks. I want another one to carry to the park so I am looking forward to you reviewing the others.
Pv panel charging up a battery, then running an instant pot of an inverter at any time if the day after the battery is charged is also a convenient solar method. You probably only use 100 watt hours to cook a meal.
Waiting for part 2 of the solar oven reviews (soft sided). Leaning towards the All American, but would still like to hear the assessment of the Flair :)
Where's the video covering the other two ovens? I made the cheap option, cardboard and aluminum foil, and I use a 5 quart cast iron Dutch oven to bake a 4 cup flour load of bread. Only wish I did a better job gluing and not reusing foil from my first failed square type oven. Scattering sunlight is not letting me get the max temp I should be getting, because it's huge from a large tv box.
I had a large wooden planter sloped out at the top. Lined it with aluminum foil, topped with a piece of glass (taped edges). Have cooked in it for 15 years. Things don't burn or dry out. I mostly cook in a black pot like a slow cooker, but it bakes too. I live in the NM mountains, sun 300 days per year.
I'm going to do that! thanks for this comment! ❤️
Food for thought on the glass... I saved the glass doors from an old TV stand, the edges are beveled/smooth. An old stereo unit or similar will also have these tempered doors so not as fragile as plain glass.
After I watched this video a few years ago I bought the inexpensive foil model. I don't remember the details of my test but it got a mug of water extremely hot in very little time! I keep it permanently in my vehicle now because whether camping or in an emergency, if you've got some sun it would be a great way to warm up some water to drink or wash with!
An All American Sun Oven is designed to use in winds up to 40 mph.
It is 20% bigger than the Global Sun Oven used in the video.
It can be turned on its side to be able to cook from the first lite of day or for winter cooking.
A 21-pound turkey can be baked in a baking bag.
I love my sun ovens but please, 40 MPH winds? Not a chance
I trimmed the swing metal rake at the top in older Sun oven, more swing angle ( purchased in 2007 - still works)
I love to cook too and I am so thankful for all the info others share here. Thank you for the video. Even 4 yrs old it's still useful
Best video out there that really goes into the true pros and cons and which may be a better option for your particular needs.
Awesome video! Thank you!
THANK YOU for these wonderful, practiced questions
When I was doing construction in Kansas, I took an aluminum cake pan, put a piece of 3/4" double foil faced insulation in the bottom of the pan with the top side painted flat black. I could put a TV dinner in the pan in the morning and cover it with the clear plastic lid and I had a hot meal for lunch.
The review starts at 7:07 -- you're welcome.
thx
@E Marie or actually 8:08 haha . 5 min of how well they cook, i get it!
l0l thank u
thamk u
B Steven -THANK YOU!!!
I have had a Sun Oven for years and it's wonderful. You can make one out of a cardboard box, glass to cover the opening, and tin foil on the flaps. It can boil water for you or cook if the sun is out.
Doesn't the heat destroy the box?
Jim is excellent! That is the most thorough review I have seen and I watched close to a hundred easily. THANK YOU Jim!!!!!!
On the All American just clip a wire or thin stick to the top of the reflectors to stop them from flopping in the wind...great video, thanks
I bought the All American Sun Oven and it is awesome. I baked muffins and chicken with gravy. Love it!
After watching this I ended up buying a solar oven/cooker. I got a Gosun Sport which doesn’t cook a huge amount of food at a time but is relatively compact and heats up fast and to a high temperature. I’m even finding that it cooks with just the light of a heat lamp (cooking brownies right now). Thanks for the informative video!
The gosun griull looks like it will cook a more usable amount of food/ larger pieces
We are using solar ovens in Haiti.
Haiti is tropical country we can use solar ovens for cooking. We are learning a lot from
I like solar cooking from parabolic box and vacuum tube cooking, which I'm just recently started in the past. I've built inexpensively a heaven. Flame box cooker reached 330° with it. Using tempered glass made my own reflectors and everything and quite efficient. Used to make chicken stews in it. I like anything that deals with solar.
So far this is the most informative comparison of sun ovens I have seen. I appreciate that you aren't giving a 'top 5' type comparison but more of a pros and cons and favorite ways to use etc. Also, I have been wondering about wind and no one really talks about that until you both! THANK YOU! Also, even though you aren't exact on your pricing, the ballpark figures you throw out with the list of what is included is very helpful and another thing I have not seen in other videos. I really appreciate your honest and thorough reviews and I look forward to seeing what other such treasures are on your channel! Thank you!
Oh no! I was waiting for info on the green one, since I just recieved a used one a month ago! Hope you get the second video up soon!
You had me at 'you can not burn something'. Thanks as always for the great info gentleman.
The best thing about a solar oven is not heating up your house. I dont mind baking inside in the winter but lawd have mercy, you can't be in my house if you have my oven on for more than a few minutes.
I've seen the All American one before at this organic farm I used to volunteer at, but never got to see it being used to see how it worked. So this was nice to see
I can't wait to see the other video with the all season solar cooker. I'm thinking about getting it but want to see your review. Thanks for your reviews.
Anxiously awaiting part 2.
Jim, Thanks for sharing your experience.
Jim ought to design and patent a solar oven based on his knowledge. Thanks Jim and Bob!
really eye opening,, now im hungry thank you jim and bob i spend a lot of time cooking on the Trager.
Hi Jim! Just want to tell everyone that if you ever camp with Jim and he offers you food, jump on it! :)) I know it's not your fav, Jim, but I still want the Solar Flair Oven and have ever since I interviewed you on my channel last year after you cooked baby back ribs for all of us. Yum! Thanks for this comparison and review. HugZ!
Hi Debra! I am glad to see you well. Remember that there is not the best of anything, just the best for you. The SunFlair is a perfectly functional solar cooker.
Thanks Bob and Jim!
Thanks for the information. As always Bob, you find the best people to give us the best information available. Looking forward to hearing about the other two cookers.
I just upgraded my older American Sun Oven (like yours) with the newer leg and focus points and the newer glass for less than $90. Well worth the money. Do need a longer cover snap. Love mine, it will go in a Sprinter garage I will build in a couple years.
I have heard the Solavare is great. I had a parabolic type that concentrated the heat to the bottom of a cast iron pan and it got to well over 400 degrees F. I gave it away though. It was the size of Texas....
Thanks gentlemen. Great review. I'm leaning towards the All American.
Thank you for this, I was leaning towards the Sport Oven, now I know I want one. Can't wait to see the comparison of the other two. I built one but it's just too heavy and big to use on the road.
That is actually the smaller Global Sun Oven, not the All American Sun Oven. I own both versions of the Sun Oven. The All American Sun Oven is blue and is 20% larger than the Global Sun Oven model that you demonstrated. This past Thanksgiving I was able to cook a 20-pound turkey in a cooking bag in the All American Solar Oven, so the 20% size increase makes a big difference.
Definitely going to try a solar oven! Great video, gentlemen!
Great info thanks 😅
To fry a parabole sun oven is perfect !!
Honeys! wonderful explanations! thanks! I would like that you made some videos with recipes and instructions to cook on them.
Wow! That was one of the best reviews ever. Bob -excellent interviewer. Jim- a real expert on the subject.
So fantastic about the TG dinner!!!!
Man I can’t wait. I am saving for a van everything I do is debt-free I love to cook outdoors. Bob I will meet you someday. Jim you are my solar hero my goal is to run AC 24 seven in a van.
Mr. Jim, can you please do your rib recipe cooking demonstration!? and other things you cook in the solar ovens, please! UPDATE: okay I found your Jim's solar boondocker channel and see how he does the ribs. Thanks so much, Bob and Jim!
Love my Solavore oven.
Great video
I use a Rand, made a decent reflector out of a big box corner. Works great, 4 inch channel, use silicon and aluminum loaf pans. I love it!!
I'm brand new to solar ovens. This was incredibly helpful! Thank you!
12:55 ish...it can be leveled in ground thats has acceptable ground to grab a shovel and dig so that the angle changes? ...I think so although I dont have one.
I lear something new each time I see this video...thanks guys.
The Sun Oven is very well made. I cook meals in it with no hassles. Best investment I've made in a long time.
Thank you for the video! Great to see Jim again!
Pretty soon it will be time for campfires and 1800!
Looking forward to seeing you Jim! Let us know when you get back to Arizona!
you could store pot/pans inside the oven when not in use.... for the larger ones, i would think.
Like to see them cook in them. Make more sense to me. Seeing how it's done. Very logical solar Jim on these
Hi:) Cody wanted try samples of cooking;) Thank you for a lot of helpful information! It’s looks like a fun and interesting way of cooking!
FreeRV I love Cody:)
Cody is great 🐕 dog
Just think of all the energy people waist just preparing meals. Wow!
Thanks Bob. I've been wondering about them. Love the side by side comparison. ♡♡♡
Very excellent and informative review! I've been very curious about these ovens but there is not a lot of real useable info out there. Looking forward to your reviews of the smaller ovens! Thank you, gentlemen!!
Such great information. Thanks guys!
Great video, It was interesting
I never knew that such a device existed.
Very helpful. Thank you for taking time to put this together.
Enjoyable and informative. Thanks guys.
Jim should have his own RV Cooking show on UA-cam.
I will start doing more cooking on my channel here soon. As it is I only have one video about baby back ribs posted.
I dont cook or watch cooking programs but i would be interested in solar oven cooking.
@@solarboondocker4597 1
Cooking show is a great IDEA.
@@solarboondocker4597 this would be very interesting and timely Jim! The world really needs this knowledge due to the looming blackouts in the US and Europe! Thank you for sharing!
Added benefit is preventing a fire in your rv
American Sun Oven, 2021 price with Preppernet discount was: oven, drying racks (no pots), a few assorted items included was $450 if I recall.
I like Jim. I've watched him in several videos and he seems like a real straight shooter.
Thank you Bob and Jim/Tim?.! That was very informative. I may have to look in to one of those later on when I get a bigger rig☺. Safe travels to you both and see ya down the road!
Thanks for the video. Will you still be making one about the other solar ovens you mentioned?
Excellent info. I had no idea how well those work. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for this video, Bob and Jim! I need to make a decision on one soon!!
I cook almost all summer with the all American sun oven. It cooks for 2 to 3 people really well. You save two fold on electricity by not using your house oven and again by not using the ac to cool the house down after heating it up using the oven. As my kids have gotten bigger, I’m looking for a second oven. And I know I want to get another All American which are now about $385 for the basic.
can't wait for part two!
Jim talks like a movie star from times gone by; I like it.
This about the most honest comparison I've seen. Looking to build a non cardboard solar oven. But I think I found two designs I like.
I have the sunflair, I like it a lot.
Thank you
That one on the far right of the screen is the same exactly method that the guy on Boonies made his...he used tin foil and wire...but, you could even use cookie sheets...oh the possibilities...love this review better than the one with just the two...gives us more options...Thanks Jim and thanks Bob to getting Jim on camera to show us about these...he sure knows his solar ovens!! 🥘💡🌞😊💖
Hey Bob, where's Part 2 of the solar ovens? I'm thinking about getting the Solar Flair but I'm waiting for the review. Been 2 weeks. What's up?
Yoo wicked set-up, does anyone have any estimations for cooking time : weight : volume? Season average...
Recommendations for auto (?) sun tracking?
Polish grit size of Al for max reflection?
Can't wait to join the SolarClub!
Cheerssss
hey Bob & Jim, good video, be well out there, tc
Hey Jim! Where will you be cooking this Thanksgiving? 2018?
BoldlyGo RV, ha! 😁
Lol! Yes, please, send us your coordinates!
lol... I am so there :)
WERD!
Currently I am in Greeley, Colorado and did a 10 pound turkey in the sun oven.
Does anyone think Jim sounds like Vincent Price? Great Review.. enjoyed!
He does....good call
I love Jim! He has the nicest calming disposition. All that food that he cooked and he says it like he just picked up the phone... no big deal 🤣 Another great video Bob! Truly informative.
Bob and jim, if you heat up your pan with your food on the stove first, then put it in the solar cooker it gives it a good start on long cooking foods. Also I found a small pressure cooker, paint flat black, that works great, cooking dried beans ect.
Thank you Gentlemen for sharing this information.
Great video, guys! I had no idea there were benefits like taste of food!!
whatever is taking advantage of free nature as it is sun rays and weather is great :-) like when we, or i put water bottles on top of my car so i can take a shower with some less cold water lol :-) thumbs up and take care all
I considered a solar oven, but I live in Minnesota and it's not necessarily very sunny... I spent all summer in my van (with my parrot 🐒) and I have just gotten a place for the winter. I am going to sell my stuff- marine alcohol stove, solar generator, van..all of it. I would definitely do it again with a conversion van or a class b.
Hello Bob! Great Video, been interested in one for a while!
If one of those units can toast non- frosted pop tarts...
I’m in.
I'm not an engineer, but somehow I think you could have a true mechanical "fit's all" solar oven that folds nicely. Gas piston? (expands with heat) get a couple of them right and you can have a sort of mechanical sun tracker I think get some more hours of the it. You just have to do some manual positioning at first, then if you engineer it correctly 1 or more gas pistons could track the sun for a short period (3-4 hours I would guess). But make the oven with good grade materials and a good fordable structure and it would/will be awesome...
And it could have many uses actually... with a (again good engineering) you could use it as a solar still and actually convert big amount of saltwater to a small amount of freshwater (and/or disinfect any water) just by the sun... with a couple thermoelectric generators in the back of the oven you could harness the heat and the shadow to create a small current for charging a battery (yes expensive, and inefficient compared to a solarpanel but it would be a "one package" and have some uses I think... I mean if you are not using the the current for anything (charging something) you could use it for a valve and a fan with a PTC/NTC and regulate the heat inside the oven... Imagine you could set you solar oven (with no external power) to a temperature of your liking... it could fan away the heat when the temp is to high and so on...
Soo many possibilities with some good engineering I think...
Wish this would work in western Kentucky.
I have the sun oven (for years) Love it. I have no trouble stacking and cooking. I don't know why but everything does taste better in a sun oven. Nice video thanks. I want another one to carry to the park so I am looking forward to you reviewing the others.
Jim I’ll camp with you and supply the food if you cook it 😂❤️😂❤️😂
Music to my ears, bring it on!
I’m looking forward to part two and the review of the other two solar ovens. The first two are $$$
Watching for design ideas to make a sizable oven using cast off glass mirrors.
Pv panel charging up a battery, then running an instant pot of an inverter at any time if the day after the battery is charged is also a convenient solar method. You probably only use 100 watt hours to cook a meal.
I love everything with solar. Thank you for the video.
Wish I knew about this the past 4 summers. It's hot where we live summer days 100 or above many days, I could have made more meals with using stove.
Waiting for part 2 of the solar oven reviews (soft sided). Leaning towards the All American, but would still like to hear the assessment of the Flair :)
Great video about Sun Ovens! Enjoyed very much!
Where's the video covering the other two ovens?
I made the cheap option, cardboard and aluminum foil, and I use a 5 quart cast iron Dutch oven to bake a 4 cup flour load of bread. Only wish I did a better job gluing and not reusing foil from my first failed square type oven. Scattering sunlight is not letting me get the max temp I should be getting, because it's huge from a large tv box.
Great job dear sir