There are different principles of working of the solar cooker; accordingly they are divided into different types. However, one thing is common in all the solar cookers; the solar energy is used for cooking the food. The types of solar cooker are:
1) Solar cookers in which direct concentrated solar rays are used: In this type of solar cooker there is mirror on which the sunrays fall and after reflected they are concentrated on a small area where the utensil containing the food is kept. The concentrated rays carry lot of energy cooking the food faster.
2) Solar cooker in which light is converted into heat: In these solar cookers black surface is applied on the inner surface of the solar cooker. The black color has the ability to absorb maximum amount of solar energy and convert it into heat thus cooking the food faster.
3) The solar cookers in which heat is trapped: In these solar cookers there is a glass at the top which allow the sunrays to pass through it get concentrated inside the cooker. Here the solar energy is absorbed and converted into heat. This heat is then trapped by the plastic bag or the glass inside the vessel creating a sort of greenhouse effect.
Solar cooker are being promoted extensively in by humanitarian organizations in the countries where there is huge potential for utilizing the solar energy. Some of the countries rich in solar energy are India, China, Pakistan, Brazil and a number of African countries. The solar cookers are not only cheap means of cooking food, but they also prevent deforestation caused by using wood as the fuel for cooking food and pollution caused by the fossil fuels.
