Unlike the SunFocus® Hybrid which can be used both indoors and outdoors the UGLI™ Hybrid was designed for outdoors use only.
Yes, the UGLI™ Hybrid was designed to be a high performance solar oven just like the SunFocus®.
Good question and there’s no simple answer. All solar ovens depend on the Sun’s UV. The higher the UV the higher the oven temperature will increase. A 7 UV day will heat higher than a 5UV day. A 9 UV day will heat higher than a 7 UV day. The temperature can range from mid-200 to mid-300 on most typical summer days depending on how much and the type of food being cooked.
Using the Electrical system the two internal thermostats are preset at low of 250 and high of 300 degrees F.
The UGLI™ hybrid’s outer case has been weatherized to be water resistant, (not water proof), so a little rain or ground moister should not affect it. It is recommended that when the UGLI™ hybrid is not in use that it be stored in a dry storage area.
Yes, of course it can be damaged. We do not recommend poking a hole in the case, or cutting though the cardboard with any sharp objects, or dragging it across the ground, or hitting the case with any sharp object as those things will result in “cosmetic damage” to the UGLI™ hybrid’s case. However, those “typically” should not, unless severely abused, affect the oven’s operation in any meaningful way.
The UGLI™ Hybrid should last as well as you treat it. We do not recommend that you drop it, throw it or abuse it. If you’re not planning any of those dreadful things the UGLI™ hybrid will be durable enough for its intended purpose.
Truthfully cardboard is a very good heat resistant material. The burning point of cardboard starts around 450 deg. F. where as many plastics start to melt at 140 degrees.
To quote President Roosevelt, Nothing to fear but fear itself.
The UGLI™ hybrid’s internal heat protection system is safe and is the same heating system as used for SunFocus® hybrid solar electric oven which has been used without incident for the past 7 years.
The heat systems consists of:
The 115v / 465W AC heating element vulcanized in high temperature silicone laid sandwiched between two metal sheets, surrounded by a 1000 degree F. thermal heat blanket, surrounded by 2 inches of thermal insulation. All the wiring is high temperature thermal coated and the wire connections are electrical tape covered. In addition the electrical system itself is electrical surge protected by a 7Amp fuse.
All the electrical components used in the SunFocus® or the UGLI™ are UL approved.
UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC
The reflectors always say cool to the touch. They do not absorb any heat at all, only reflect.
Yes. The solar oven will cook slower in the winter due to the lower incline of the winter Sun. For the best results place the SunFocus® or the UGLI™ in a spot out of the wind and exposed to full sun. Of course you can also use the electric back up for faster cooking or if starts to snow.
Generally speaking, no special pans or dishes are required for solar cooking in the SunFocus® or the UGLI™.
As a solar oven, the quick answer is, “No. It will take longer.”
However, on days when the UV index is low, solar cooking takes the longest time and on days when the UV index is near max, solar cooking will be the shortest time. Even at it shortest, it may even then take an hour longer than a regular oven would take. However, for the SunFocus® and the UGLI™ 3-in-1 ovens, on the high electric setting, the cooking times can be very similar to your regular oven.
Yes you can boil water in the SunFocus® or UGLI™. The water will read 212°, but only slow, steady and small bubbles will appear. Do not get confused thinking that seeing large, fast bubbles roiling over means the water is hotter than 212 degrees. It’s isn’t.
This is simply not true. You can brown bread in the SunFocus® or UGLI™.
For slow cooking recipes; not all. For high temperature recipes calling for 350 F. and above you will have to adjust your cooking times based on the temperature of the oven for that day’s cooking condition. My rule of thumb is for every 50 degrees below recipe cook for a ½ hour longer than recipe states.
May be once an hour. The SunFocus® has a curved main reflector so the Sun’s energy is curved forward and inward. Because of this unique design less turning is required vs. other solar ovens that use a straight style reflector.