Abstract: A tube end formed of any suitable material having the shape of a truncated cylinder that is forced over the end of a polyethylene pipe and prior or post heat-treated to provide a THERMO LOCK-N-SEAL.TM. interface between the OD of the polyethylene pipe and the ID of the tube end by melting a portion of the OD of the polyethylene tube sufficient to cause thermal plastic flow of the polyethylene into conformity with the surface of the ID of the tube end.

Abstract: A solar cooking apparatus, and method for its use, wherein the apparatus comprises an offset focus reflecting parabolic dish and a food receptacle located at or outside of a cylinder defined by the periphery of the dish. The dish is rotatably affixed to a base member in a manner permitting infinite settings to track the sun through azimuth and elevation. The food receptacle is adjustable from maximum heat at the focal point of the dish to lesser heat at a defocused point away from the focal point. The offset focus parabolic dish preferably has a diameter equal to or less than the radius of a prime focus parabolic dish from which it is taken.