NEW GLASGOW
At first glance, someone might think it is a new age barbecue.
But instead of being fired by charcoal or propane, this oven cooks food solely by the heat of the sun.
Using a solar vacuum tube, the GoSun Stove heats up quickly (over 550F/ 288C) to cook a meal in just 20 minutes, capturing more than 80 per cent of sun that enters its reflectors. Even at such high cooking temperatures, the GoSun remains cool to the touch on the outside.
The solar stove includes a durable borosilicate, evacuated glass tube cooking chamber, two foldable parabolic reflectors that fold to protect the tube like a clamshell and a stainless steel cooking tray.
Stright-Mackay Ltd was recently asked to distribute the product through the marine and recreational markets after it proved to be success at a recent dealer show.
“There is a real convenience factor because you don't have to carry any accessories that are needed to start a fire,” said Lee Toole, sales manager of Stright-MacKay in New Glasgow. “If you are on a smaller punt-type boat you set it up and start cooking.”
With cloud cover, expect the cooking time to take a little longer, but as long as you can see that your hand will throw a shadow, you’re good to go.
The oven is stored in a backpack style of bag that can be carried on hiking expeditions or stored easily in boats and campers. The sport model weighs seven pounds and cooks up to 53 ounces at one time.
But the real test came when employees of Stright-MacKay decided it was time to fire up the oven on their own, said Toole. The first attempt at cooking with the GoSun Sport was potatoes cooked on sunny October day in 20 minutes and the second successful dish was chicken.
Toole said two models, the GoSun Sport and the GoSun Grill, will be in stock in early 2018 so they will available for the local recreational and boating season. GoSun products have a two-year warranty and the sport model is expected to retail for about $350.
