Haines Solar Cooker

Disclaimer: The Haines Solar Cooker was provided to me for review. All opinions are my own.

Haines Solar Cooker

The Haines is a type of panel solar cooker. In general, panel cookers lack the “heat trap” that the glass or pexiglass on a box oven cooker provides.  Instead, the panel cookers rely on cooking bags to create the “heat trap”.  While panel cookers are fairly efficient cookers, and will certainly get the job done, the dependence on the cooking bag can be a draw back. The Haines Solar Cooker was designed to eliminate the need for the cooking bag. This was accomplished by creating  a clear plastic dome shaped top and a clear plastic cooking sleeve. By eliminating the need for a cooking bag, the cooker is much more self-sufficient and sustainable.

The Haines Solar Cooker was invented by Roger Haines in San Diego, California, USA. I recently had the opportunity to meet Roger who gave me a cooker for myself. My immediate reaction when I first saw the Haines was that of awe.  The cooker is rolled up into a small bundle inside of a carrying case. Inside the case, there is the reflector panel, the circular dome, and the clear cooking sleeve.

After a small bit of assembly, the Haines Solar Cooker is ready. The clear plastic dome top, made from UV-resistant polycarbonate plastic,  covers the cooking pot, which is nestled inside of the clear cooking sleeve. The sleeve insulates the pot. These two features combine to create its own heat trap.

The cooker is easy to put together and easy to take apart.  The reflector is made from MPET foam and should last 5 years. It is very light weight and stores compactly in its carry bag. This is certainly one of the most portable solar cookers on the market.

Due to the design of the cooking sleeve, the best type of pot to use is a round black pot with no handles.  The Haines Dutch Oven was specially designed to be used with the cooker.  This pot is heavy duty with a teflon cooking surface. My preference when solar cooking is always a glass lid because I like to see how the cooking is progressing without taking off the lid. This pot has a glass lid with a silicon ring, which helps to seal the pot and keep the lid from sliding off. But what makes this pot truly unique is that there is an air hole in the glass lid that lets out steam. (Note: The pot is not included with the solar cooker. It must be purchased separately.)

So, in a nutshell, here are the key features of the Haines Solar Cooker:

• Rolls up and is stored in its own bag
• Weighs only 18 oz
• Reflector is made from MPET and will not oxidize
• Cover is made from UV-resistant polycarbonate plastic
• Pot is easily accessible when cooking

Because of the light weight, small storage space, and easy portability, the Haines is great for camping, tailgating, and emergencies. But, just like with other solar cookers, you need to practice with it and learn how to use it so that you will be ready to pull it out and pop it up to accommodate any cooking situation.

Go here for more information on  Haines Solar Cooker.  To see this solar cooker in action, click here for Chocolate Cake baked in the Haines.

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Have you used the Haines Solar Cooker or other types of solar cookers? If so, I would love to hear your experience in the comments below.

Disclaimer: The Haines Solar Cooker was provided to me for review. All opinions are my own.

UPDATE: The Haines Solar Cooker has been updated since this post was written and has exciting new features.

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