How to Make a Solar Reflective Oven

You can use a solar oven anywhere

A box-style solar reflective oven is a great addition to any camping trip. You can prep your meals in the morning and place them in the sun to cook while you spend the day exploring. Dinner will be hot and already made when you return, and it is safe to leave this style of solar oven alone. Think of it as an outdoor Crock-Pot that requires no electricity. Clean, green and efficient---you can make a solar reflective oven in about an hour (plus paint drying time).

Things You'll Need

• 2 cardboard boxes (sized so one can fit inside the other with a 1-inch space)
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Box cutter
• Aluminum foil
• Craft glue
• Cardboard (flat sheet)
• Black spray paint
• Duct tape
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Measure the depth of your smaller box. Measure and draw a line on the sides of the larger box, from side to side, that is at a height of 1 inch taller than the depth of your smaller box.

2. Cut your larger box along the lines you have drawn so your larger box is now an open box that is 1 inch taller than your smaller box.

3. Open the flaps of the lid of your smaller box. Lower the smaller box into the larger box until the flaps meet the edges of the larger box, and hold it 1 inch above the bottom of the larger box. Using a pencil and ruler, draw lines 1 inch away from the fold of the flaps of the smaller box. Then draw a second line 2 inches from that one on the flap. Remove your smaller box from the larger one.

4. Place your ruler along the line that is 1 inch from the fold with the body of the ruler on the fold side. Hold the ruler firmly in place and bend the cardboard down until you form a new fold. Use the ruler as a guide again on the second set of lines you drew 2 inches from your new fold and cut the rest of the cardboard flap off.

5. Glue the aluminum foil to the inside of both of the boxes.

6. Place the smaller box into the larger one and tape the folds of the smaller box to the larger one so the first fold forms a shelf covering the open space between the two boxes and the second fold is attached to the sides.

7. Measure and cut a piece of flat cardboard so it will fit easily into the bottom of the smaller box. Glue aluminum to one side and spray paint the other black. This will form the "drip pan" for your solar reflective oven. When your drip pan is dry, place it black side up in the bottom of your oven.

8. Measure and cut a piece of flat cardboard so it is 3 inches wider than the total width of your oven. Draw lines on the piece that show where the actual width of the oven is. Place cuts on these lines but only 3 inches in from each edge. Now draw a square on your flat piece of cardboard that is 2 inches smaller than the square formed by the lines representing your oven. Cut this smaller square completely out.

9. Using the duct tape, tape two layers of plastic wrap over the opening you have made in the center of the flat piece of cardboard. Make sure that you pull the plastic tight enough so that it looks clear---you should be able to tap it like a drum.

10. Fold the edges of your flat piece of cardboard down and duct tape them together so you form a lid that you can fit snugly on top of your oven.

11. Spray paint the exterior of your oven with the black paint, but do not paint the plastic wrap. Let dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you begin to make your solar reflective oven, make sure your boxes are large enough that when you place the pot you want to use for cooking in the smaller box, there are at least 2 inches of space between the pot and the sides of the box. You can replace the plastic wrap with a piece of glass to make your oven more long lasting.

• Make sure the paint on your oven is completely dry before placing it in direct sunlight as the heat may cause any lingering paint fumes to explode.

Resources

• Solar Cooker Resources
• Other Uses for Solar Energy