Cardboard and Duct tape Solar Oven

This instructable is about a solar oven I made out of an old picture frame, two cardboard boxes, some duct tape, aluminum foil, white glue and crumpled newspaper. You will need to find a picture frame. I used regular glass but tempered glass would be better as it gets very hot and could shatter if you spilled cold water on it. I think I used about a 12 x 14 frame, not sure as it was a few years ago. What ever size glass you find will decide the size of the inner box and the outter box should be 2-3 inches larger. You need to cut a hole in the larger box to fit the inside box then crumple up some newspaper and pack between them.

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Step 1:

Next thing after the box is in the hole and newspaper is packed between them is to tape it up.

gwylan says: Feb 15, 2013. 11:40 AM

I've used a similar solar oven as my only oven for ten years or so with ordinary window glass, and never had it break from dripping water on it (temps to 350 degrees in its youth, with a black-painted interior). I have broken the glass several times from the wind blowing the oven over--the reflectors unfortunately make very effective sails. Double-strength window glass lasts better than single strength.

I have baked pies in my oven, if a bit slower than the recipe recommended.

The frame you incorporate is a good touch. Wish mine had had one. Air leakage from the glass just sitting on the cardboard top downgraded the efficiency of my design over time. A caution about the duct tape, though. It works for awhile (if away from the hot portions; the plastic melts) but eventually will fail.

Your Solar Baby designs look great. However, I'm working on a plywood and sheet aluminum version of my cardboard build since it has worked pretty well for me. I will post it when it's done.

siouxsun says: Mar 21, 2013. 7:49 AM

Was wondering if you completed your new oven. I have lots of questions, this is so exciting to see people being so initiative! Ive heard about these ovens and looked into them before but there seems to be so much more practical,tested sources here. How long does it take to cook different foods? And Im wondering if plexy glass would work okay.

gwylan says: Mar 21, 2013. 11:29 AM

Not yet. I've got the framework built, but then got sidetracked building a dog door.

How long it takes to cook things will depend on how hot your oven gets, but it is generally slower than cooking in a regular oven--perhaps an average of half again as long? I wouldn't use plexiglass. I have not tried it, but the glass gets hot enough to burn your fingers. There's a good chance it'd collapse onto your food, not to mention the fumes it could release.