| Overall: |
|
5
out of 5
|
| Quality: |
|
5
out of 5
|
| Performance: |
|
5
out of 5
|
| Value: |
|
4
out of 5
|
Anonymous
Location:
Utah
I have used this product for:
3-6 months
|
 |
|
Great Product
|
Date: September 8, 2009
|
"Looking to find backup cooking sources, I purchased a solar oven and this “Hot Pot Simple Solar Cooker”. Overall I have been very pleased with the Hot Pot’s performance. I have found that it cooks similar to a crock pot and possibly its product name is an indirect reference to the same.
Solar cooking takes a bit more patience and an earlier preparation time compared with an oven in the kitchen. However, if the food is put into the solar hot pot by late morning, on a sun-filled day, by late afternoon it’s usually in a wonderful savory condition. Rice, roasts, vegetables, stew, etc. usually turn out more moist than they would have if the kitchen oven had been used. The cooking and preparation of food is simple like that of a crock pot. On the solar side during cooking time, one can choose to give an occasional turn of the unit to maintain direct sun exposure or position it ahead of the sun’s path—both work well.
Like one of the other reviews, I had hoped to see water boil—it didn’t. In Utah, I doubt it will ever come to a significant boil but I have seen little air bubbles form on the sides of the black pot indicative of a near boil and the water has gotten very hot. Also the product I received had the blue plastic protective cover already removed—I contacted customer service and they quickly responded and were accommodating. I would like to see the price well under $100 and then the value would move to 5 stars.
My family has been thrilled to see food cook efficiently without using electricity or other fuels. I recommend the product provided one keeps expectations appropriate."
Share this Review:
|
|
|
|
| Overall: |
|
1
out of 5
|
Merahu
Location:
New Mexico
Shopping Frequency:
once a year
I have used this product for:
less than a month
|
|
|
The Hot Pot didn't get hot.
|
Date: June 1, 2009
|
"Solar cookers have enormous potential to improve the lives of people around the world, to result in cleaner air, and to greatly reduce deforestation. First, they have to work. The hot pot did not for me. I couldn't even bring water to a boil under fully sunny skies at 7500 feet in New Mexico only a month from the summer solstice,. The design of this system is interesting and appealing, but perhaps the area covered by the reflector--determining how much sun it catches and concentrates on the pot--needs to be larger, and perhaps the focus better. The glass bowl also seems to reflect a lot of light, and that could also be a factor in there not being sufficient light reaching the black pan to heat it. I did wonder if elevating the pot might have helped it receive a bit more light, or if it might have actually worked a bit better in a season with the sun slightly lower in the sky. But the latter is unlikely, as it was designed for use in Mexico.
Reasons that others might have had more success with the hot pot might be that their air temperature was hotter, and/or that breezes were absent. It was brightly sunny here, but temperatures were only in the 60s and there was fairly constant breeze.
I was very disappointed with the hot pot's failure to heat up for me, as I really wanted and needed this to work for a long car-camping trip. Before ordering, I had asked if there were many returns of the hot pot, and the person I spoke to was unaware of any at all. However, the unit I received had already had its "protective plastic" layer on the reflector removed, so I am led to believe the unit I received was already a return.
I can't assume this won't work for anyone, but unless your situation is pretty ideal--bright sun, hot air temperature, no breeze--and unless you'll always have backup cooking methods, I wouldn't reccommend trying the Hot Pot."
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Response from Gaiam:
By
Customer Relations,
June 1, 2009
Thank you very much for your feedback. We’re sorry your experience was not what you’d expected. We guarantee every product unconditionally, and we want you to be thrilled with your Gaiam purchase. If you would like to return this for a refund or exchange, please contact us by email at customerservice@gaiam.com or by phone at 1-877-989-6321.
Share this Review:
|
|
|
