Best Solar Oven

In my Engineering class, my teacher told us that we had to invent or modify something and post it on the Instructables web site. I looked at three or four solar oven, and using their findings and ideas, I built the Ultimate SOLAR OVEN!  

This Solar Oven is very cheap and easy to make.  It uses around-the-house items that you use every day.  

I hope you enjoy my solar oven.

Ben G.
 

Step 1 What you need!

Like I said, almost all the items are things you find around you house.  You will need...

-1 big box (You probably want it to be a square box that is bigger than 2 feet long)
-1 small box  (It should also be square and 4-6 inches smaller than the big box)
-Styrofoam insulation (you can cut it up to fit in the big box)
-Tinfiol
-Black spray paint
-Newspaper
-Glass (One person used glass from a broken scanner.  It will need to be big enough to cover the box.  You can also buy a sheet of glass and use a glass cutter to cut it so it has the right dimensions.) 
-Tape or glue
-Glass cleaner
-Pare towel
-Sharpe (who says it can't be pretty)
-Thermometer
-Baking rack (optional)
-Timer (optional)
-If it isn't sunny, you can try a very bright light.  It probably won't work as well.

Once you have gathered all the materials, you may go on to the next step...
 

Comments

[penasagra]

To keep the flaps in the right position you could join the flaps using either pastic tape (ideally duck tape) or a string set to the right distance.

When the flaps try to fall down, they'll be stopped by the string and will remain at 45 degree angle.

Not very useful if there's wind but...

I hope it helps.

[javajunkie1976]

Duct tape will release if made to sit in the sun for a long time. The stuff, in my opinion, is useless. The tape you should use is called Gaff tape. Theater set construction crews swear by it as do I. It can be applied and reapplied many times.

[hefner93]

may i have the recipe you used for the cookies for this oven i might be making this for a physics project and do you know how long it would normally take to bake them?

[wrksnfx]

Double your cooking time just remember to keep a check on them so they wont burn.

[Ballabirdie]

@RadiantLux You need the black paint in a solar oven because the color black absorbs light (and therefore, heat) and is essential to make the oven hotter. You could probably find some non-toxic black spray paint, if you are willing to look for a while.

[wrksnfx]

Tempura paint, or child-safe or barbecue grill paint as long as the label reads non toxic when dry is what is needed.

[i c monkey]

don't put foil on the bottom of the box

[hyperfocused72]

You can *not* use styrofoam for insulation in a solar cooker! They give off toxic fumes! Read the Introductory Manual at htttp://www.solarcooking.org under Solar Cooking: The Basics to find safe alternative ways to insulate your cooker. Then see how you might improve on some of the existing designs. Good luck!

[Tannius]

 What is the average temperature inside the over? I'm guessing 450 degrees isn't even close other wise the cardboard would combust, also the reason you said to double cooking time.

[Ev]

I have a manufactured sun oven from http://www.sunoven.com/. It can get to 400f in the summer time. It's an even heat, not like a gas or electric oven which has hot spots. I use regular cooking times. There are some solar recipes on the internet. There are a LOT more crock-pot or slow-cooker recipes that adapt very well to solar cooking.

[Ev]

Doesn't make sense to paint it black then cover with aluminum foil. I say skip the painting step. You DO want to put black cooking pots in it to convert the light energy into heat. Solar cooking recipes even say you can bake a potato by putting it in a black cotton sock!

[Lawst]

To position the reflectors and hold them in place use sticks. Either tape them into position or stick them into the ground at the height you need.

[RadiantLux]

Your next step will cover the box with foil. Why do you need to paint it? I would rather not add the toxins to m y oven. Does it make a difference?

[ZeBadger]

I don't think that you are supposed to put foil on the bottom... but the black in the photograph looks rather grey :/

[sarahann826]

does the glass go on the very top of the box on the inside, or does it go on the bottom under the rack? I didn't understand that part.  Love the idea and will definitely try this.  Thanks.

[thisismin3]

is it possible to use a substitute for black spray paint, such as dark blue?

[ben1122]

Solar ovens are much better for the earth, and you can save money and energy (electricity)!