ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: A small-scale photovoltaic and thermal hybrid casserole-type solar cooker has been developed and tested for various food recipes. The solar cooker was tested for cooking rice, pulses, grains, cereals, curry, vegetables, dumplings, pancake etc. The sensory evaluation test, which is performed on the attributes of texture, flavor, appearance, aroma, and mouth feel, scored higher or equal, when compared with the conventionally cooked food. The cooking performance showed that the cooker is ideal for boiling, roasting, and baking purposes. At a time, seven dishes can be prepared. Four to five meals can be cooked on a clear sunny day. This unique cooker is lightweight (1.6 kg), portable, user-friendly, and affordable.
