Editing Solar cooker (section)

== Working principles ==
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A mirrored surface with high [[specular reflection]] is used to concentrate light from the sun into a small cooking area. Depending on the geometry of the surface, sunlight could be [[Concentrated solar power|concentrated]] by several orders of magnitude producing temperatures high enough to melt salt and metal. Such high temperatures are not really required for most household solar cooking applications. Solar cooking products are typically designed to achieve temperatures of {{convert|65|C|-1}} (baking temperatures) to {{convert|400|C|-1}} (grilling/searing temperatures) on a sunny day.

This light energy is then converted into heat energy. Solar cookers concentrate sunlight onto a receiver such as a cooking pan. The interaction between the light energy and the receiver material converts light to heat and this is called absorption. The conversion is maximized by using materials that absorb, conduct, and retain heat. Pots and pans used on solar cookers should be matte black in color to maximize absorption.

It is important to trap heat energy and reduce [[convection]] by isolating the air inside the cooker from the air outside the cooker. Simply using a glass lid on your pot enhances light absorption from the top of the pan and provides a [[greenhouse effect]] that improves heat retention and minimizes [[Heat transfer|convection loss]]. This "glazing" transmits incoming visible sunlight but is opaque to escaping infrared thermal radiation. In resource constrained settings, a high-temperature plastic bag can serve a similar function, trapping air inside and making it possible to reach temperatures on cold and windy days similar to those possible on hot days.