All the electrical components used in the SunFocus® or the UGLI™ are UL approved.
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FAQ Category: General Solar Cooking
How hot do the reflector panels get?
The reflectors always say cool to the touch. They do not absorb any heat at all, only reflect.
Can I cook in the winter sun?
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.
Do I need special pans to solar cook?
Generally speaking, no special pans or dishes are required for solar cooking in the SunFocus® or the UGLI™.
Does it cook as fast as a regular oven?
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.
I thought you could not get a solar oven hot enough to boil to sterilize water, only a parabolic cooker can. Does yours boil?
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.
I’ve heard you cannot brown bread, is that true?
This is simply not true. You can brown bread in the SunFocus® or UGLI™.
How much do I have to alter recipes to cook solar?
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.
How often do I have to turn it to orient it to the sun to cook a roast?
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.