A large number of papers have been published on the topic of solar cookers, but hardly any have discussed the role of the vessel inside the cooker. The heat has to penetrate the vessel and cook the food in a uniform pattern. The bottom surface of the cooking vessel and the lid are ineffective in the heat transfer process to the food. Raising the vessel by providing a few lugs will make the bottom of the vessel a heat transfer surface. This change improves the performance of the system by improving the heat transfer rates in both heating and cooling modes. The times for reaching saturation temperature and cooking were noticeably reduced. Raising the vessel above the base plate of the cooker is recommended for universal adoption. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.