Build a Simple Solar Oven
Solar ovens are easy to build and can be a fun project to do with children. While some solar ovens can be complicated and expensive to make, a simple cooker can be made from materials easily available around most homes. Plan on spending a few hours building the oven, as you will have to wait for the paint to completely dry before you can cook anything in the oven.
Equipment
2 cardboard boxes
Large sheet of cardboard
Flat black spray paint
Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Aluminum duct tape
Flat black spray paint
Cake rack
Oven thermometer
Oven cooking bag
Locate two cardboard boxes. One box should be slightly larger than the second box as the second box will be fitted inside the first box.
Spray the outside of the larger box with the flat black spray paint, covering it entirely. Allow the paint to dry before proceeding.
Line the inside of the smaller box with aluminum foil, shiny side up.
Made a lid for the box from the sheet of cardboard two inches larger than the top of the largest box. Cover the lid with foil.
Place the smaller box into the larger box. Tape the lid to one side of the larger box using aluminum duct tape.
Place a cake rack on the bottom of the inside box, and then place an oven thermometer in the box.
Stretch an oven cooking bag over the top opening of the box. Prop the foil covered lid of the box open, using sticks or dowels.
Set the oven on a sidewalk or other area that receives full sun. Position the foil covered lid in a way that it will reflect the sun to the oven.
Words of Wisdom
The use of dark pots when cooking will help the solar oven to absorb heat.
Oven cooking bags are rated for temperatures as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so you do not have to worry that the oven will get too hot.
You can use the oven to cook most foods. If you are planning to cook meats in the oven, test the oven first to determine if you can achieve at least 300 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety. Temperatures will need to reach at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit if you are cooking a meatless dish.
