Baking cookies on the dashboard of a car
Solar Cooking on the Dashboard of Your Car
Recently there was an article on CBSnews.com on how to stay cool in the Phoenix heat that included baking cookies on a car dashboard. And I saw this photo last week, posted by a friend on Facebook. It was a featured photo on the Facebook page “Your Reason to Laugh“. So of course I had to check it out. There were all kinds of comments, ranging from “It must be Texas — California — Arizona –Florida — Missouri –etc” to “I cooked biscuits — pot roast — eggs — apples — etc” to ” I wonder if this really works” and “Is this a joke?” Well we know that solar cooking is not a joke. I used to always comment that the dashboard of my car got hot enough to bake cookies. But I want to caution any of you who might contemplate baking cookies like this. I do not advocate baking cookies or other foods on the dashboard. There are many different plastics used on the inside of a car. The heat causes out-gassing from the plastic.
An article from Air Purifier News: that “New Car Smell” states “Vehicles’ interiors are a laboratory for out-gassing of toxic chemicals from upholstery, paint and plastics. When the air temperature inside a car is that hot, plastic and painted surfaces are much hotter, causing unhealthy VOC concentrations in newer cars.”
I love cookies. I love fresh, homemade, hot baked cookies. But I do not want the secret ingredient to be toxic chemicals from the inside of my car.
Cookies baking on the dashboard
If you used a covered pot inside a solar oven box ie a cardboard box would this help keep the chemicals out?
I think that you could probably use a covered pot. I just wouldn’t want my food directly exposed. But there are differing opinions. Some people are not concerned with the open food. If you try this, please send me a picture to share. Thanks for dropping by and thanks for the note. Happy solar cooking.
I suppose it’s okay if your car is older than 2-3 years and has done outgassing the flame retardants, plastic softeners and other nasties. After all, it is called NEW car smell. Until then, open the windows! I left my newish car standing for six weeks this summer and nearly fainted when I saw (post, 24 August) how the new car smell had collected visibly on the inside of the windshield. Eeuw.
Yeah, I’m with you, on this. I’d be afraid of all kinds of different toxic chemicals invaded my cookies — or, any uncovered item. Would have to affect the taste, too. Of course, if they’re Alice B Toklas Brownies, that might be a different story!! lol Come visit when you can.
I can see why people would be tempted, and it does make for a funny picture. But just too many chemicals in the cookies for me.