Greetings, ATS!
I did a search and although there are a few threads discussing the benefits of Solar Ovens and a few tutorials, I did not see one that involved using
an old Pizza Box.
Materials:
Cardboard pizza box (the kind delivered pizza comes in)
Box knife or scissors
Aluminum foil
Clear tape
Plastic wrap (a heavy-duty or freezer zip lock bag will also work)
Black construction paper
Newspapers
Ruler, or wooden spoon
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***Tip - Maintaining an airtight box is crucial in keeping the oven hot.***
Peak cooking times 11am - 3pm
Pic:
1) Draw a square
Using the ruler and pencil/pen, draw a square on your pizza-box lid, leaving a 1-inch border from the edge of the box to each side of the square.
2)Form the flap
With the box cutter or utility knife/scissors, cut through three sides of the square you just drew, leaving the line at the rear of the box attached.
Fold the flap back so that it stands up when the pizza-box lid is closed.
3)Cover the flap with foil
Cover the underside of the flap with heavy-duty aluminum foil, which will reflect sunlight into the oven. Glue the foil to the flap, smooth out
wrinkles, and cut off any excess
4) Tape plastic sheet
With the scissors, cut two square pieces of clear plastic wrap, each 1 square inch larger than the flap opening. Open the pizza box, and tape one
piece of plastic to the underside of the hole so that the plastic covers it.
5)Tape second plastic sheet
Close the lid, and tape the second plastic sheet over the top of the hole, creating a window that helps keep the sun's heat in the box. Pull both
sheets taut as you tape them.
6) Layer the bottom with foil
Glue or tape a layer of aluminum foil to the inside bottom of your pizza box for insulation.
7) Cover with black paper
Cover the foil layer in the box with sheets of black construction paper and glue them into place. The black base will absorb light and generate more
heat inside your oven.
8) Find best angle
Close the lid, and you're ready to start cooking! On a bright day, place your solar oven outside in direct sunlight. Adjust the foil flap to find the
best ray-reflecting angle, and use the ruler, a stick, or a hard-plastic straw to keep the flap propped in place.
9)Preheat
Preheat your oven by leaving it in direct sunlight for 30 minutes. The box's temperature will reach about 200 degrees, so while you won't be able to
cook a roast, you can reheat cooked food, melt cheese or chocolate, or—if you have all day—prepare a veggie stew.
10)Cook
Whatever you decide to cook, place it—on its own, or in a heat-safe container
(Glass Jar or Dark small baking pan also suggested)—in the
center of the oven, so that it is directly under the plastic-wrap window. Close the lid, leaving the flap propped open, and check on your food every
15 to 30 minutes.
Your solar oven will reach about 200° F on a sunny day, and will take longer to heat things than a conventional oven. Although this method will take
longer, it is very easy to use, and it is safe to leave alone while the energy from the sun cooks your food. If you do not want to wait long to have a
solar-cooked dish, try heating up something that has already been cooked, like leftovers, or a can of soup. Putting solid food in a glass dish and
liquids in a heavy plastic zip lock bag works well. You can also pre-heat your oven by setting it in direct sun for up to an hour.
**Tip - If you want to test the reflective angles of your oven before you head outside, shine a laser pointer onto the foil flap to simulate rays
of sunlight.
Home Science Tools
Youtube tutorial:
edit on 31-3-2013 by RooskiZombi because: (no reason given)