On a sunny day, the temperature in the Cook Compartment can reach 200F in 3 minutes.

Depending on altitude, it’s capable of boiling water in 15 minutes.

That of course depends on the sun, but it’s capable of boiling water in 15 minutes in sunny conditions.

The first time you set up the solar cooker, it will take 10-15 minutes.

It will take about 5 minutes when you become familiar with setup.

From out of the bag until you’re ready to cook in under 15 minutes…faster when you’ve had some practice.

All solar technology does require sunlight, and ours is no different. The great thing is that because in multiples and condenses existing light, you can use the balloon to greatly enhance portable PV chargers for a GPS of cell phone.

We have supplied these soft weight tubes for that very reason. Also, our adhesive tabs and nylon cord allow you to lash the balloon to a stable object like a backpack. It’s really very secure.

Mylar laminated with aluminum. The aluminum is on the inside to extend the life and reflective qualities.

Actually they’re pretty tough, but yes, it is a balloon. The beautiful thing is that it’s easily repairable with regular scotch tape (site Army story)

Like anything, it will last longer if it’s taken good care of. We have had our first balloons around for over 3 years.

Sure, but you need to use the straw to open the valve, and it’s advised to use an air pump to keep moisture and saliva out of the balloon for its longevity.

It will stay inflated for days, but typically people will deflate and store between uses.

No, just air, and that’s all you would want to use.

Typically less than 5 minutes with the hand pump.

We recommend using the provided hand pump or any other conventional air pump.

The balloon itself doesn’t get hot anymore than a magnifying glass gets hot when you use it to start a fire. The compound parabolic design of the balloon is non-imaging so it does not create a focal point, therefore it’s safe.

Full sunlight will give you the highest temperatures, but it will cook even in partly cloudy

That depends on the sun, but it can boil a cup of water in about 15 minutes.

Most foods can be prepared at over 300°, so really anything from biscuits to bacon to soups

On a sunny day it will easily exceed 300°F in the cooking package.

The cooking package is put inside the Mylar sleeve underneath the small end of the balloon.

(I actually get this a lot)

It captures available light, concentrates the energy, and produces thermal energy. Think of it as an inflatable optic.

It’s the California Sunlight Solar Balloon

It depends on the quantities. The price can be really low.


Maybe in the future.

Yes, it can be recycled like other foil balloon. If a recycle service is not available in your area, please send the balloon back to us. We will recycle them.

Yes, no-question-ask 30 day warranty.

You can buy at our office, order by phone, or order online from our website, Amazon, eBay.

Yes, we have solar powered BBQ, active daylighting, solar lamps, micro-CPV, PV chargers and others.

One year.

Four and half years.

I love to, although do not know how to get there.

A few hundred times.


Yes, we did.

6 years.

Yes, its efficiency will depend on the light source location and its characteristics.

Yes, but it will not have enough heat for any heating or cooking since the moonlight is actually very weak, comparing to sunlight.

It should work, although it’s never been tested.

It should work, although it’s never been tested.

Yes, it will work, although you will have to find a way to orient the large end of the balloon to face the sun.

The black pan, oven bags, and cooking liner can be hand-washed like other dishes. The balloon and Mylar sleeve can be wiped and cleaned with a paper towel and clean water.

General speaking, defrost before cooking in the solar cooker, bring frozen foods to room temperature before being put in the cooker, use less water, flip over as needed, use double oven bags, and orient the balloon toward the sun will make cooking fast.

No, first, the solar balloon cooker needs to be re-positioned as the sun is moving. Second, we recommend that the cooker should not be un-attained when it is cooking.

Almost everything. Please refer to the cooking instruction on the website for more information.

It is recommended to use the oven bag since it traps more heat and make the cooking faster.

Yes, but you will have to use a transparent, high temperature lid.

No, you can use the black cooking liner to cover the foods and then put them inside an oven bag.

Yes, you can use a larger pan. Remember black color is more efficient. So try to use the black one. Also, the larger the pan, the longer time is needed to heat it up.

Yes, black pans preferred. White, light color or shining pans are not efficient for the solar balloon cooker. Use the black cooking liner to cover the foods if both cookware and food are light color.

No, the balloon will not get hot.

One of the advantages of the solar balloon cooker is that it can cook small amount of foods or water quickly. Although you can cook large quantity of foods at one time, it will take long hours to cook. Please refer to the cooking instruction on our website for more information.

It takes 15 – 20 minutes to boil one cup of water in Sacramento, 15-20 minutes to bake a cookie, 30-40 minutes to cook one cup of rice.

It can reach 350 F.

If you only need to keep the foods warm, you can partially cover the balloon to block sunlight entering the balloon or orient the balloon away from the sun to lower the temperature.

Not recommended. User should keep the transparent part of the balloon clean so that sunlight can go through. Also, if water gets inside the balloon, it will be difficult to get it out. And the balloon may be damaged. So take the solar balloon cooker inside or cover it with a protection layer whenever is possible.

Yes, you can use the cooker anywhere with sunlight. However, be careful the heat from the black pan. It may be too hot for furniture, car seat, and other surface if a hot pad is not used.

The solar balloon will work in most weather conditions. However, the highest temperature during cooking does strongly depend on the available sunlight. On a cloudy day, you may be able to warm your lunch but have difficulty to cook rice.

No, the weight tubes will hold the cooker in place. If it is very windy, use the provided string and hang-tabs to anchor the balloon down from both sides as well.

The balloon will fly away if you fill the balloon with helium and let it go. It is illegal to let the foil balloon fly way in California. So please use weight to secure the balloon if you fill the balloon with helium. It is recommended that you fill the solar balloon with air only.

If you use your fingers to press two sides of the balloon 2” from a corner and have difficulty to bring the two sides together, the balloon is over inflated. Use a small straw to release some air to lower the pressure.

5-10 minutes. First time 10 – 20 minutes.

Use the plastic tubes to make four weights. Inflate the solar balloon. Use the weights to hold down the balloon. Orient the balloon to the sun and you are ready to cook.

It’s very unlikely. The design of the solar balloon is to concentrate the sunlight to a small area, not to a point. Also, the heat is contained inside the Mylar sleeve in typical operation. Objects outside the sleeve will not be ignited. However, the solar balloon cooker should not be un-attained when it is being used to avoid over cooking.

Insert a small straw all the way into the gas valve on the balloon to release the pressure.

Yes, it will pop, if the inside pressure is too high or a sharp object penetrate or cut through the balloon. You can use the included clear tape or other clear tape to repair the balloon.

It is food grade PTFE film.

It is food grade high temperature Nylon film.

It is food grade stainless with Teflon coating.

The materials used to make the solar balloon are similar to the materials for making the foil balloons (Mylar balloons). Foil balloons are being sold everywhere. The materials are a combination of PE film and Nylon film with aluminum coating to make it shining and reflective.

Depending on the working conditions, it can last for long time. One of the balloons in our lab has been used for more than 4 years now.

It can be used for many times.

Use the included large oven bag, or a large garbage bag, and a straw to inflate the balloon.

Use the small pump comes with the package or any other pump to inflate the balloon. An adaptor, such as the provided large straw with a silicone end, may be needed to connect the outlet of the pump to the inlet of the balloon. If no other tool is available, use your mouth to blow up the balloon.

You will need a pump to circulate the hot water or hot air from outdoor to indoor. We don’t have the pump available yet. You can take the hot water inside manually.

Because most of PV panels in the market cannot take the heat.

The balloon concentrates sunlight and increases the optical irradiance on the PV panel. So the output of the panel is increased. Do not use it under direct sunlight. The PV panel may be over heated.

About 2oz.

About 200W of heat in a good day.

It is developed based on the same solar cooking principals. But it is much more compact, light weight, portable, and efficient.

Put the food inside the Mylar sleeve under the balloon.

The balloon is designed to let majority of sunlight entering its large end within certain angle exiting the small end. So sunlight is concentrated. The concentrated sunlight is then used for heating, cooking, or generating electricity.

Yes, anywhere with sunlight.

The balloon is for collecting solar energy for outdoor cooking, heating, and water pasteurization.

It is the most compact, light weight, portable solar cooker.