Cooking: Earth friendly Methods

Methods

BiodigestorsSolar CookersClay Ovens

BiodigestorsUse waste of livestock for cooking and lighting gas: Pigs, cows, goatsPrevents environmental problems of animal waste: water contamination, foul odors, insect breedingEliminates need for harvesting trees for cooking fuelEliminates pollution from burning woodEliminates health risks associates with cooking with wood: respiratory problems, eye damage, burns

BiodigestorsMost efficient with manure of 4-5 pigsCosts ~$100-200Fixed dome over ditch lined with plastic. A tube catches and funnels gasses released from the breakdown of the organic materials within. The gas can be used directly to cook or for lighting.

Solar Cookers

Solar Cookers

Use direct energy from the sun to cook foodUses mostly local resources to buildTakes you off the grid and away from reliance on gas and electric

Solar CookersBasic Construction:

Small wooden box lined in metal sheets painted black within a larger frame box.Local organic materials insulating between the boxes.Covered with double pain glass or plexi-glass (select material which allows most sun sun to penetrate)Use mirror or reflective material to direct sunlight into oven.Reaches temperatures of 350-400 degrees.

Solar Dryers

Same concept as cookers, but used for drying herbs,

fruits, plants, etc.*Same type of system can be used to heat water

Clay Ovens

Clay OvensCan be made from many different materials: wooden mold, clay/sand mix, concrete, organic matter, saw dustCosts ~$40 in materials ~$60-80 in laborFire clay bricks in kilnCook using wood in back of dome shaped oven