http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/04/09/solar.oven.global.warming/
BTW, here in the mid-southern US, the dash of your car will work most months. On long solo roadtrips when I want to go non-stop, I buy a sub or wrap and put it on the dash in the morning.
Post EMP, use the old lens from your giant, unusable TV.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_j4Izj4Kd0
I have a large, plastic fresnel lens lying about somewhere. Leftover from one of the kid's science fairs, probably. They're overkill for an oven, IMO, as cooking really doesn't take very high temperatures (pork 145f. remember that temp, vikings, as all you'll have to eat for a while is your pigs).
http://www.amazon.com/pack-Fresnel-Magnifier-Projection-Garden/dp/B00B0HW99M
I can see one being handy just for heating water if nothing else.
ok - I just realised I have the perfect excuse. A solar oven is basically just a more efficient solar wax extractor and I definately need one of those for the bees.
So if I make a wax extractor and paint the inside black it's just a short step to tacking on some reflective wings and I never have to look like a prepper!
Quote from: Gurtie on May 12, 2015, 09:16:37 PM
ok - I just realised I have the perfect excuse. A solar oven is basically just a more efficient solar wax extractor and I definately need one of those for the bees.
So if I make a wax extractor and paint the inside black it's just a short step to tacking on some reflective wings and I never have to look like a prepper!
Never underestimate the power of rationalization. ;D
>reflective wings
I've been experimenting (unrelated to Armageddon) with mylar delivered by Amazon a day or two ago . While researching UV resistance, I ended up clicking through to
http://www.williamgbecker.com/SolarCooking.html from http://www.mirrorsheeting.com/
"On a cloudless day, winter or summer, it will reach up to 400 degrees (f), empty, and so long as the sun is not obscured too often"
You may not need much of a reflector, Gurtie.
Cloudless? In the uk? How does it perform in drizzle?
Gurtie. You have bees?
I've been thinking about starting the exact it for the last couple of years and got pushed much closer to that decision after seeing the Flow Hive. How difficult is it to keep them?
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/flow-hive-honey-on-tap-directly-from-your-beehive
I do :)
There are lots of different levels at which you can keep them - I did some courses and then went to a couple of BBKA meetings but really didn't enjoy them much (very dependent on the group I think) so then I went to a natural bee keeping group, which basically advocates a different type of hive (Warre) and a little invasion as possible - we don't queen mark, definately don't queen cull, don't varroa treat, don't open it up unnecessarily and don't control swarms other than by adding n more boxes and obviously collecting and putting into hives. Technically 'natural' bee keeping also doesn't feed to overwinter (because you leave the bees at least as much honey as they need), but thankfully the group I'm in doesn't ostracise you for breakiing any rules - so I did feed my first swarm the first winter as I didn't think they'd make it otherwise. Generally though, bees only need to be fed because you've taken too much honey the previous year.
So basically my type of beekeeping is really easy - very non invasive. my first hive also had a really laid back queen and so was gentle and let me do stuff with no stings or dramas. Last year they swarmed and they're all tempramental little gits this year - they hate anything being done to the hive and chase you up the garden. My second hive however is still really easy and gently - it seems to be about 50/50! Obviously the good thiing aboout natural is that I can jsustifiably leave them alone, although I'm going to get out this weekend and risk the wrath of bees to add another box, and hopeffully harvest my first honey!
flow hive - wouldn't work with 'natural' beekeeping hives as we let the bees build their own honeycomb, although you could obviously use a mix of principals. Definately won't work with honey that crystallises (when cold, ivy, rape, maize). I'm also a bit suspicious that when they show people turning a tap and honey flowing out they've removed all the bees from the hive - you'd have a swarm out there nicking it all back I reckon! Bees also use propolis to close up gaps and I wonder how much time you'd spend cleaning the workings.
My other thing about the flow is that even with my bad tempered hive I do like to watch them and you need to work with them to understand when they have enough honey, when they have disease (some of which are notifiable so you do need to watch for that) etc etc.
This is from the guy who setup the Frome natural beekeeping group which I'm a meber of http://www.beeswing.net/2015/02/thoughts-on-flow-hive.html - iif you do get one I'd be really interested in seeing how it goes but I'd definately do a course and join the BBKA so you have access to some type of advise from old fashioned beekeepers if you do, because you will need to prod around in there sometimes!
Excellent advice on all points. Thank you.... I'm off to find a local BBKA / Other Bee related organisation meeting :)
Probably not cheap and does not look like it holds much solar grill:
https://www.yahoo.com/food/how-a-solar-grill-could-change-the-world-118788843176.html
perhaps we should start a Core Beekeeping chapter. ;-) I like your thoughts on NB Gurtie, along the same lines as I use and teach.
Flow hive is wrong on so many levels, don't get me started.
re Solar Oven, people here have been building them out of disused stainless steel laundry troughs with some success. Can't find any pics though.
update:
(open dish) Solar Oven Made with Aluminum Foil and Cardboard
http://makezine.com/2017/03/03/solar-oven-made-aluminum-foil-cardboard/
with plans
Great link, Gurtie!
My dad had bees when I was a kid. They are fascinating creatures and I'd love to have some. Dad just planted a 3.5 acre pollinator field with wildflower seeds. I can't wait for it to come up, but it may take a few years.
I've been thinking of a soda can home solar heater for a few years, but like my greywater recycling project, keeps getting delayed by my need to post obsessively on forums ;-)
http://www.treehugger.com/solar-technology/how-build-diy-solar-air-heater-old-soda-cans.html
Wait for it...
https://old.reddit.com/r/therewasanattempt/comments/pvsbdu/to_cook_using_the_power_of_the_sun/