abstract
| - A good information source is Solar Cookers International’s own manual: Field Guide: Spreading Solar Cooking. These items on the manual’s assessment check list can be affected by cultural variability:
* Are there open, sunny spaces near homes, where a solar cooker and food can be safe from theft, tampering, or damage?
* Is cooking already usually done outside?
* When are primary meals served? Around noon and/or around sunset or soon after?
* Do gender roles allow and/or encourage women to participate in community groups and decision-making in family financial matters? Food preferences and customs vary by culture and promoters should consider whether high-heat frying consumes a significant portion of household fuel. In cultures where most foods are fried, parabolic cookers may be the most suitable, while in cultures where frying is less important, lower-cost box cookers and panel cookers may be the most practical and economical choice. Here are a few other variables promoters should consider:
* How many people does each woman cook for in the community?
* What size or style of cooker suits a particular family's needs?
* What pots are used? Will they work for solar cooking, and will they fit in the chosen cooker(s)?
* What time of day do women buy the day’s food?
* Is there enough time after purchasing the food to solar cook it?
* Will they have time to solar cook both lunch and dinner? Knowing local food customs can help promoters find niches where solar cookers can have dramatic pay-offs. For example, in Hausa communities in West Africa, there are often a significant number of people involved in small businesses that roast chickens. These chicken roasters could be a great market for solar box cookers.
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