How to Make a Solar Pizza Oven
Solar power is a term used for any method of utilizing the energy of the sun. A solar oven bakes food using the heat provided by the sun. Solar ovens require no fuel and cost nothing to run, making them a smart choice for those who are looking for ways to lower their utility bills or lessen their carbon footprint. The instructions below can guide you in the construction of a simple solar oven, designed specifically for baking pizza. The internal temperature reaches 275 degrees F--hot enough to boil water or slow-roast a variety of foods. You can use this solar oven to make cookies, cakes or even a plate of nachos. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 1 large corrugated packing cardboard box
- 1 smaller corrugated cardboard pizza box with attached lid
- Newspaper
- Extra wide aluminum foil
- Non-toxic white school glue
- Black construction paper or tempera paint
- Ruler
- Box cutter
- Sheet of clear heavy plastic laminate
- Clear packing tape
- 2 dowel rods, 12 inches long
Instructions
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1
Open the large box fill 3/4 of the way with sheets of balled up newspaper.
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2
Place the pizza box inside the large box, on top of the newspapers.
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3
Fill the gaps between the boxes with more sheets of newspaper, cramming as many pieces in as your can.
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4
Fold the flaps of the larger box over the newspaper and cut them back to expose the pizza box. This will help to keep the oven insulated and to hold the pizza box still during the baking process.
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5
Cover the sides of the pizza box with foil and secure the foil with glue.
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6
Cover the bottom of the pizza box with black construction paper and secure the paper with glue. Alternatively, the bottom of the box can be painted black with tempera paint and allowed to dry.
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7
Close the lid of the pizza box and mark the area one inch from the edge all the way around the box.
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8
Cut the marks along three side, leaving the edge at the back of the box uncut, forming a flap in the top of the pizza box.
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9
Cover the flap with foil and secure the foil with glue.
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Measure and cut a piece of plastic laminate slightly larger than the opening created by the flap. Tape the plastic to the underside of the pizza box lid, ensuring that it is completely sealed and that heat will not escape.
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11
Prop the lid open with the dowel rods. Make sure the lid is open as far as it can go so the aluminum is reflecting the maximum amount of light and casting no shadows into the oven.
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To use, place the food on a black cooking sheet and set inside the pizza box. Close the lid and let the sun do the rest.
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Tips & Warnings
For best results, keep the oven pointed towards the sun and out of shade. Allow extra cooking time. It generally takes two times longer to cook food in a solar oven and it needs 30 minutes to preheat. Don't worry about overcooking or burning food in a solar oven.
