(Conversation recorded on March 13th, 2024)

Show Summary:

On this episode, Nate is joined by Solar Oven collector and educator Luther Krueger to discuss the ins and outs of solar cooking. In the western world, most of us are used to indoor, gas or electric stoves, typically powered by fossil fuels, and in a third of the world, people are still using solid fuels - wood, coal, or dung - which come with many health and environmental risks. Solar ovens are an alternative which makes use of passive solar energy at a range of temperatures and can be made from basic or reused materials. What would it take on a cultural and economic level for more people to adopt these low-tech solutions? How can solar cooker designs vary to match the needs of the individual and community in varying environmental conditions? Could we take inspiration from this example of Goldilocks Technology for other areas of our lives in a slower, lower-energy throughput future?

About Luther Krueger:

Since 2004 Krueger has been collecting unique classic and contemporary solar cookers and promoting solar cooking as the means to halt deforestation, clean unsafe drinking water in remote areas of developing countries, and reducing any community's dependence on fossil fuel. Krueger's unincorporated, volunteer-run Big Blue Sun Museum of Solar Cooking aims to preserve the history of solar cooking while promoting the practice through the video series on the Museum's youtube channel and as contributing moderator to the Solar Cookers World Network on social media and by promoting solar cooking at regional events. Krueger is a Senior Community Faculty member at Metropolitan State University where he teaches the Capstone course for the Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration degree program. Krueger retired from the Minneapolis Police Department in 2023 after twenty-eight years as a civilian community liaison and crime analyst, where he developed and launched several community policing initiatives.

For Show Notes and More visit: https://www.thegreatsimplification.co...

0:00 - Intro
1:33 - Luther's Background
4:40 - The Global State of Cooking
6:59 - Barriers for Adoption
13:15 - Solar Thermal Cookers
16:03 - Solar PV Cookers
18:23 - Solar Variability
21:35 - Flavor
24:24 - Other Uses and DIY
28:56 - Current Adoption Rate
30:42 - Tour of Solar Cooker Models
51:00 - Lifestyle and Mindset Changes
57:07 - Goldilocks Technology
59:53 - Personal Advice
1:05:15 - What Do You Care Most About?
1:06:51 - What Would You Do With a Magic Wand?
1:09:06 - Closing Thoughts