Permaculture Journey with Solar Oven

by Susan Krings
(Cathedral City, CA, USA)

I am hitting the road this summer as a WWOOFER to visit 6 sites in the western US. I am a permaculture educator, and I want to experience various sustainable infrastructure in different climates. I think this will make me a better teacher with more to offer future students.

I will be leaving Southern California in May and I am trying to decide what to pack as I will be living out of my Honda CRV as I travel. At home, I use Solavore Sport Solar Oven several times a week to cook larger quantities so I have left overs. Each time I use my solar oven, I am amazed that I used only real time sunlight. My primary staples include a variety of beans and grains that I sprout, then cook in my solar oven. I purchase in bulk from my health food store so I don’t produce any trash from cans and plastic bags. Then, all I have to do is make a salad or vegetable dish from my garden and I have a complete meal.

However, while I am on the road, I don’t want leftovers that I would have to refrigerate. Plus, the bulk of the Solavore will take up too much room in my vehicle. I need a smaller solar oven that will cook quickly as I will be preparing meals at rest stops and camp sites.

I think the Go Sun Stove is the perfect solution. It is compact and can cook a meal for one person in less than 20 minutes. Furthermore, I am interested in the StoveTec Rocket Stove for use in the early morning and evening. Thinking of making fire to heat water for a cup of oolong tea in the crisp twilight air makes me anxious to depart on my journey.