The first cooker’s welded steel casing standing upright, with its top opening

The first cooker assembled, with its hinged lid open

The second cooker’s chamber with a round mesh basket inside

The second cooker during assembly, seen from the open side

A cooker that runs on sunshine.

We are developing a simple solar electric cooker for communities in Malawi, so families can cook with sunshine and rely less on charcoal and firewood.

Watch the prototype See the build photos

Direct solar: Panels supply the electricity for heating
No battery: A simpler, cheaper way to cook with the sun
In development: Learning from everyday use in villages

Kinder to the environment. Simple to use.

We want a practical cooker that helps families cook with sunshine and is easy to run and look after.

Care for the environment

Cooking with solar electricity means less charcoal and firewood, which helps protect trees and cuts the smoke and emissions from burning fuel.

Easy to operate

Anyone should be able to use the cooker without formal education or technical knowledge, with clear demonstrations and simple instructions.

Easy to maintain

Simple construction, durable materials and parts that are easy to find, so routine care is straightforward and local technicians can make repairs.

Sunshine, heat, a meal on the table.

Electricity from solar panels becomes heat inside an insulated cooker. We focus on useful cooking, durable materials and a design that can be maintained locally.

Capture the sunshine

Solar panels generate electricity during daylight. Cooking power depends on how strong the sunlight is.
Turn it into heat

An electric heating element warms the cooking surface. Insulation keeps the heat in the cooking chamber.
Cook the meal

Straightforward construction and local materials make it practical for everyday cooking in villages.

A working prototype, and what comes next.

One working prototype is in use in Malawi whenever the sun allows. Next we will gather more cooking results, refine the design and work out manufacturing costs. We are also looking at a separate charcoal backup for dull days and evening cooking.

Measure cooking performance in changing weather
Improve construction, durability and safe operation
Explore local assembly and affordable production

See the prototype at work.

Footage from the cooker development project.

Building the first cooker by hand.

A photo record of the build, from preparing the sheet metal to the finished cooker with its lid.

Preparing the sheet metal
Forming the inner and outer chambers
Fabricated metal components
Cutting the steel panels
Welded outer casing
Shaping the cooker housing
Measuring the assembly
Working on the outer casing
Inner chamber within the outer shell
Fitting the top panel
Cooker casing with the top opening
Lid fabrication
Lid hinge detail
Assembled cooker with the lid open

The second cooker is taking shape.

The second prototype is being built in Malawi. These photos follow the frame, chamber, lid and round mesh basket as the build goes on. Cooking performance and the backup arrangement are still being developed.