Authors : Wale Shreeja; Deshmukh Srushti; Arote Amey; Gorde Om; Dr. Pande Ashish

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/279x3xmw

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/5c249w6y

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26May1150

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Abstract : The present study investigates the thermal and cooking performance of a box-type solar cooker without reflector under natural sunlight conditions. The primary objective is to experimentally evaluate stagnation temperature, cooking power, thermal efficiency, and figures of merit (F₁ and F₂) in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (IS 13429:2000). The solar cooker was fabricated using locally available materials and consisted of a blackened aluminum absorber plate, double-glazed glass cover, and insulated wooden casing. Experimental tests were carried out under clearsky conditions using water as the cooking load. No-load tests were conducted to determine stagnation temperature and first figure of merit, while load tests evaluated cooking power, thermal efficiency, and second figure of merit. Results indicated a maximum stagnation temperature of 86 °C for the flat-top cooker and 89.5 °C for the inclined-top cooker. The thermal efficiency under load conditions was found to be 7.5% and 13.8% for flat and inclined tops, respectively. The first figure of merit values were below BIS recommendations due to the absence of a reflector, whereas the second figure of merit values demonstrated efficient heat transfer. The study confirms that a non-reflector box-type solar cooker is a costeffective, environmentally friendly solution suitable for slow cooking applications in regions with high solar insolation.

Keywords : Solar Cooker, Box-Type, Thermal Efficiency, Stagnation Temperature, Cooking Power, Figure of Merit, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Cooking.

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