[Stoves] Sun Buckets: off topic news, introduction

[David Stein]

Dear All,


I am a newcomer to the Stoves list but I’ve spent some time in the
household energy sector in developing Vanuatu which is where I met Nikhil.


I am fascinated by solar cooking these days.  There are many potential
socio-economic and environmental benefits of solar cooking and they are all
very seductive.  Just thinking about fuel-free and emission-free cooking is
intoxicating.


However, it seems that it is difficult to achieve the potential benefits of
solar cooking (especially in the developing world) largely because those
that dwell in hot climates (which is where much of the developing world
seems to be located) have developed lifestyles that minimize exposure to
the sun whereas most methods of solar cooking require the cook to be out in
the sun, often at times of the day that aren’t typical cooking times.  These
facts make the difficult task of changing the cooking habits of cooks even
more challenging.


But it appears as though the Sun Bucket http://www.sunbuckets.com/  “cracks
all of these nuts.”  This amazing innovation is “charged” with the heat of
sunshine and the heat is stored in a “sun bucket” (phase change “”battery”)
where it can be used when (like in the evening or early morning) and where
(like inside a kitchen) it is needed.  It cooks as hot as cooking on fire
and existing cooking pots and pans can be used so there is minimal need for
changes in cooking behavior.  It also seems very affordable.  I guess it’s
what they call transformational.


It looks as though a Sun Bucket should be a part of every integrated coking
scheme (solar cooking when it's sunny, using an Improved Cook Stove when
it's not, and maybe using a retained heat cooker with both) everywhere the
sun shines in the developing world.  I can hardly wait for the Sun Bucket
to be unleashed to the world-wide market of cooks that could really use
them.


Best wishes for the coming year.

David Stein
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