“Tiny Tech Plants is a manufacturer of a wide range of renewable energy devices including domestic and community solar cookers.
Tiny Tech Plants: “promoting tiny enterprises in various industrial fields, through human technology for rural development, local self reliance, poverty eradication, exploitation removal, employment and income generation by breaking company centered economy & promoting family centered economy all over the world.
Recently I have developed unique small community parabolic solar cooker which is very much suitable for refugee camps, mid day meals, schools, hostels, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, offices, small factories, clubs, associations, communities, small home scale cooking related business, etc.
Its unique features are:
– This is the cheapest and the first folding community solar cooker in the world.
– It can be packed into cartoon box of size 40″ x 12″ x 6″ (1/150 of assembled volume).
– 20 cookers fit in 1 cubic meter. A 20 ft container can hold 400 community cookers.
– 10 kg of rice cook in 50 minutes, so from 9 am to 5 pm, you can cook about 80 kg of rice.
– One cooker is suitable for 30 to 40 persons.
– Net weight is 57 kg. With cartoon box, it is 60 kg.
– Assemble the entire cooker in 30 minutes. Tying reflector strips takes further 60 to 80 minutes.
– The reflector is 2 meters x 1.5 meter = 3 sq meters. Concentration is equivalent to 50 suns.
– The entire cooker is powder coated in attractive colours.”
COST US$ 240
Source: Tiny Tech Plants
Source: Tiny Tech Plants
To the poster who just left a rude comment: Remember our be nice policy. Rude comments are simply deleted. Why waste your time and my time? Attacking others is a sign of immaturity.
The comments on our blog are 99%+ on topic. Sorry if you can’t handle a few comments that don’t fit with your world view. My eyes to these things started to open when I attended a natural building workshop. For probably the first time in my life I was surrounded with awake, vibrant, healthy people. What they were talking about (false flag World Trade Center attacks, among other things) seemed incredulous at the time, but I kept an open mind and looked into some of these things. The more I looked into it the more things started making sense. Seriously, how could a modern skyscraper (Building 7) collapse at near free fall speed from some scattered office fires? Go to the site I linked to and you can listen to university professors with PhD’s in physics, chemistry, architecture, engineering, etc. for hours talking about how the ‘official story’ is impossible. If you think your version of events is correct then try giving them a call and explaining your version based on the physics and engineering. The thermite study was published in a European peer reviewed physics journal and I believe was even entered as evidence in a court of law. We’re talking facts here — chemical and microscopic photo analysis of ash.
Actually, the more I think about this our comments are on topic. We’re discussing how/why buildings fail and how that fits into life. That’s certainly related to construction. So if someone doesn’t like a particular topic or comment then don’t read it.
Owen
I don’t know what was posted but, “Thanks” for your reaction to it.
It’s mostly a misunderstanding. What you and I are discussing is related to construction, but not to Tiny Tech Plants. Don’t like it? Don’t read it. Get a life. So 99% on topic is not good enough for you?
And this is the 3rd of 4th time they’ve left rude comments about me being a right wing or left wing so and so. I’ve already previously explained that I’m neither. THAT is off topic. THAT is rude. You won’t ever see me being rude here or anywhere.
Look up cognitive dissonance. People can’t handle the truth when it doesn’t jive with their view of the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance
A tip of my hat to you, Dr. Owen! Yes, I see Haiti applications for many of these machines. We currently are seeking motivated Haitians who want to start micro businesses. More on how we capitalize them, partner with them, etc. under the “IDEAS” tab at http://www.TeachDemocracy.org.
To get started, we will work with most any legal business that has a known demand (copy machine and computer time rental service, used tires, etc.). But soon we hope to encourage more natural and harmonious with the earth ventures. Permaculture, aquaculture, pedal power, earthbag housing to name a few.
At some point, those machines operating on a small scale by a family or a community will be very helpful in Haiti. Juicing machines, oil presses, block making presses, on-site power generating “plants” for families and for small industry. I noticed that he has already sold 7 oil presses to locations in Haiti. They generate quick return on investment as the product is widely desired for use in the culture.
We have initial contact with Kiva (crowd funding small loans) for funding when our local entrepreneurs are ready to expand their businesses. Your idea of “donate for the life changing machine of your choice” is yet another avenue, and brings it very close to home/heart as the giving will be practical, specific and personalized. Good idea!
Business per se is not bad. It is “big business” that has a bad image for all it’s being distant and non-caring, corrupt, raping the land, etc. But “little business” is what brings new levels of purchasing power to a family. It lifts families out of poverty by giving them options–school for the kids, buy a goat, buy simple medicines, grow 25% more crop, etc. We need the left-outs of the world to discover and apply entrepreneurial methods so they can lift their standard of living. Machines for the individual, family and community play a significant role in economic empowerment.
I went to http://www.tinytechindia.com site and could not leave! The breath of his offering of practical machines and his philosophy of return power to local interests are impressive to me. My dual tastes of delight at simple machinery and enthusiasm for empowering people were both whetted at his site. Bravo tinytech!!
I had you foremost in mind when I put the post together. Thought you’d like it, and thought some of those machines would be practical in Haiti and elsewhere. As you’re well aware, find the right machine/business idea and it will totally transform a family for many years to come.
How’s this idea: Organize a program where people can donate toward some of these machines. People can choose from a list of machines that you believe most practical, select an amount, type in their PayPal #, etc. That’s sounds better than just sending money off to some group not knowing how the money will be spent for sure.
Related: We just got back from a festival that brings together small businesses in the region. The government paid for some large vaulted tents, carpet covered pallet floors and AC as part of a program to stimulate small business. The event attracted about 100 businesses. I went three times. Tonight was very crowded. It was interesting seeing the different products: sisal rope sandals, all kinds of soaps and lotions (including moringa soap), natural toothpaste, dried fruit in various forms, very yummy chew treats made with caraway seeds (soft and fresh), juice, comb honey, and loads of silk clothing. One of my favorite products is crunchy rice cereal with a little dried fruit. The same lady sells hot cereal. I mention this because almost all these businesses rely on some type of machine to make their products (juicing machine, etc.).
[website address fixed to avoid confusion]
I do agree with Jerry’s overall comments though. Of course, often the best tiny tech is when an individual comes up with a solution him/herself to a local problem and markets it.
This might also be a good place to bring up the concept of someone designing a DIY system for recycling trash into earthbags.
A smart engineer could create a machine to take waste plastic milk jugs, or some other plastic, and turn that into earthbags, or produce bags, or feed bags.
With all the people frustrated over minimum order sizes, and shipping costs from great distances, obtaining earthbags can often be the most difficult part of building with earthbags. Clearly there are locations where a local option would be preferrable.
I’ve heard horror stories about obtaining earthbags in Haiti. It seems that unless you bribe half the country, you can’t obtain the materials you need to build there. It would be awesome if there were an open source design for a machine that could make earthbags out of trash plastic that is nearly universally available.
I haven’t heard any reports from Haiti lately other than Patti’s account with hyperwattle (story coming soon). There is an earthbag supplier in Port au Prince. It’s easy to imagine how corrupt politicians may have been paid off by competing building material suppliers to make buying earthbags more difficult. It’s a small country with only one bag supplier and so I can see how this could happen. If you have earthbag projects in Haiti, I suggest bringing bags and good quality tools from abroad. One bundle of 1,000 bags can easily be lifted by one person and don’t take up much space. Again, beware of low quality tools. Many tools available in Haiti are absolute rubbish. They may break the first hour or first day.
Update: You should be able to avoid import duties if you bring only one bundle of bags and a limited number of tools. I’m not sure of the exact limitations and regulations, so you’ll have to research the details. But I would think one bundle and one box or duffle bag of hand tools would not raise any problems. To save space and weight on tools you could bring the metal portions and add wood or bamboo handles locally. Ex: add wood handles on tampers and shovels once you arrive. Bamboo will work fine if wood is too scarce.
I like your idea about the plastic milk jug machine Jay and who knows; if the U.S. gets involved in Syria we may ALL need several of them. It’s a great idea that would reduce waste and build homes. Who can’t like that!
China is warning against the war. China could start dumping US Treasuries and the US economy could plummet.
You’re right. I originally had a list of things and decided not to post it but, I was thinking oil, the dollar being removed as the worlds money marker, high gas prices (possibly doubling), high food prices, food to stores stopping, monetary collapse, fighting in the streets, Marshall law, end of the Constitution. Both China and Russia said they won’t support any action there and Russia is on record saying that they WOULD help to defend it. I heard they too have sent a ship to the area. This could be VERY dangerous.
Lots of experts are saying an invasion of Syria risks triggering WW3. It’s insanity. The US could experience serious repercussions from Russia and China if war starts.
I’ve heard the same thing. Have you ever got the feeling that the U.S. IS TRYING to start the last war? As in the book of Revelation. I’ve noticed since Clinton that each President seems to be pushing us closer to that very thing. What a paradox…a President who most Americans believe IS a muslim starting a war with another muslim country. Oh well the shites don’t like the sunni’s so, maybe he just doesn’t like them ’cause they believe differently.
Who knows for sure. But I’m convinced they’re all rotten to the core and lie constantly. There’s tons of leaked info out by Snowden, etc. and factual evidence like thermite in the World Trade Center ash (published in a physics journal and analyzed by a European lab) that leaves no doubt about their credibility.
Yeah you’re right but, they see it as collateral damage for what they call…..”the greater good”. I believe it was more than thermite. I’ve heard for years that there was explosive residue found. In combination, that would bring down any building. Thermite is a nasty device. I know first hand and perhaps you do too. I have to assume you were across the border back in the day.
Sorry if this appears twice but, I experienced a glitch when trying to post my reply. Here goes again.
Owen you are right! Not only was thermite found but, explosive residue so, with the combination of the two it’s devastation. Thermite is nasty. I know personally what it can do and I suppose/guess that you may too if you were across the border back in the day. It’s truly hard to tell the difference between a Republican and a Democrat today because they are all complicit in high crimes against the Constitution.
You probably know the thermite was a special, highly processed kind that can be traced to one particular US lab.
That’s just for starters. I don’t know much about chemistry, but do know quite a bit about buildings and structural engineering. There’s no way modern high rise structures will collapse into their own footprint at virtually free fall speed like Building 7 (which was not hit by an airplane). It’s impossible. And these high rises have never in history just suddenly “burned down” because the massive steel infrastructure is encased in concrete. Much more at Architects and Engineers at 9/11 Truth http://www.ae911truth.org/
It comes down to what each individual’s personal needs and interests are.
Solar Cooking can be a lot of fun.
The small portable type cookers absolutely have their place and can be used in many ways. They are often the starting place for introducing people to solar cooking.
Once someone starts getting into solar cooking, it usually becomes necessary to think more in terms of a permanent long lasting solar cooking installation. This need not be a cooker that breaks the bank either.
The concept and virtues of outdoor kitchens has been discussed several times on this blog. A more permanent solar cooker is a natural addition to such a space. The solar cooker can be placed along side other types of cookers, such as a cob oven, and/or a rocket stove. This provides a large degree of flexibility for a variety of conditions.
This might be an outstanding introductory project for DIY construction using natural materials such as earthbags, cob, etc.
Imagine building a south facing wall about 4ft tall or so out of something like earthbags, with buttresses spaced more closely than would be required structurally… say maybe every 4 feet or so. Those buttresses could become natural kitchen cabinet partitions, and an appropriate outdoor countertop could be placed across the top of those buttresses. Perhaps a concrete countertop?
Then each cabinet opening could be outfitted with shelves and doors for storage. Other buttress openings could be installation spaces for rocket stoves of various sizes that will emerge through openings in the countertop. Small stoves for small simmering cooking tasks, and a big rocket stove for bigger jobs such as wok cooking over intense heat, or even a large pressure canner.
Think about it. Late summer is typical harvest season when most canning is needed. Why have all that heat indoors? Wouldn’t it be better to run the pressure canner outside?
Add an extra “buttress” off the side of the south facing wall (in the northern hemisphere). Put something like a “Primrose” style solar cooktop in that location, and solar box oven on the other end of the wall.
Another buttress gap could be lined with recycled styrofoam and become a built in ice chest.
Perhaps one might even want to build that earthbag wall taller, maybe 8 ft or so tall, so that it will provide shade to those working in the kitchen.
Put a small roof over the structure, and you now have a luxurious outdoor kitchen for very little investment.
With all the artistry many cob builders use when building benches and cob ovens, the entire space could easily be made extremely inviting.
Plant an herb garden right next to the kitchen, and maybe even have the whole structure located inside or next to the vegetable garden.
Now it all starts to look like a natural utopia.
A structure such as this would be a great addition to any back yard, any park, possibly even a roadside “diner.”
That’s very similar to how we built our outdoor kitchen. We used CEBs because they take up less space and don’t need plastering.
https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/durable-affordable-diy-concrete-countertops/
We opted for a multipurpose outdoor stove instead of numerous different stoves.
https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/all-in-one-outdoor-oven-stove-grill-smoker/
We’ll probably build something like this on our new homestead so we can more easily process produce right from the garden.
http://www.youtube.com/user/naturalhomesteader
The new house is coming along nicely by the way. Will post an update before too long. And the plants are growing like crazy. Some of the banana plants are 6′-10′ high already. I never knew they grew so fast. The once at our house in town grow way slower.
Use pressure cookers outside! I’ve had them blow up twice. Take my word for it you don’t want to spend all day cleaning beans off every square foot of your kitchen. You’ll never get the food off 100%. Sooner or later pressure cookers will blow up if you use them regularly.
Excellent response. Interesting sites to read. All except the pressure cooker thing. I didn’t need to think about that. Seriously, I had no idea that they would blow simply from using them in the manner they are intended. Of course we know they will if used in the wrong way but, darn I’d hate to have them blow while using them to can food.
You don’t have to do anything ‘wrong’ for pressure cookers to blow up. Bits of food occasionally get jammed in the vent tube, clog it up and then violently release pressure.
*Just to be clear, I love pressure cookers. They’re a wonderful invention. They’re a wonderful time saver around the homestead. I’m just pointing out how sometimes they blow up. Don’t let that deter you from using pressure cookers. Do the research and learn how to use them correctly.
My grandparents, parents, and myself have all used pressure cookers, and huge pressure canners.
They are NOT toys to be taken for granted. That’s for certain.
That being said, my experience is different from yours in that I’ve never had one blow up.
The modern pressure cookers and canners have improved safety features that make them easier to use safely, but they still should not be taken for granted. Always read the manual.
The key is to always keep them clean, especially the pressure regulator. Don’t allow little bits of food to jam the mechanism. Keep in mind that there is no need to have the heat source cranked up to nuclear meltdown inferno mode. Just bring it up to temperature and throttle the heat back to keep a nice gentle hiss going. That’s sufficient.
Also, I never use a pressure cooker without keeping a timer handy. Especially during the period when I’m bringing it up to pressure. Just in case I don’t hear the cooker start hissing, I have the timer beep to remind me to go check on it and throttle the heat back as necessary.
Canning is a great way to preserve your own produce. No need to fear doing it. It’s a very safe activity, if you respect the equipment, carefully read the pressure canner’s instructions, AND FOLLOW THEM.
Stay diligent on those procedures and you’ll have many happy safe years of canning and pressure cooking. Your biggest accidents will be the occasional leaky jar seal, and once in a while a cracked jar. Those are minor inconveniences. Not what I would classify as dangerous.
Yes, a pressure cooker on a primrose style solar cooker is a natural combination. WORKS GREAT. Just make sure to adjust the heat level as necessary by pointing the cooker out of the sun slightly to prevent overheating.
Here is one guy’s video of his homemade Primrose style solar cooker. You can see how this style cooker would be ideal to fit into a permanent outdoor kitchen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtKasBHDgzk
Looks like the YouTube video is there to me.
The web software embedded the video instead of just providing the url in the text.
However, I’m happy to post the url again for anyone that may not be able to see the embedded video in my previous comment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtKasBHDgzk
I like that design, because it just seems a natural fit to an outdoor kitchen. The cooker is built into a countertop for cripes sake. It just makes so much sense.
Heck. I might go so far as to say that a very solar conscious DIY builder might even design a home around this style of solar cooker. I can imagine someone building their house with the kitchen adjacent to a sun facing wall (south wall in the Northern Hemisphere.) Build this style of cooker directly into the house wall.
Might be nice to invent some kind of easy way to steer the reflector hanging on the outside of the house from the inside if someone were to try that. I’m certain that could easily be figured out, though.
Okay, I see it now. Looks like a very good design for building into an outdoor kitchen.
I like your ideas Jay. Thanks.
Good advice….be prepared for anything and hope for nothing.
I primarily posted this for use in countries such as Haiti to establish home based businesses. However, it would also be great to have a few machines like this (there are lots of brands and different types of devices) in case of economic downturn. Now, I know that’s hard to imagine with all our hardworking, honest government officials who are carefully looking after things. But you never know what will happen in the future. Best to be prepared.