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Best Solar Oven

by ben1122 on November 14, 2009

Table of Contents
Best Solar Oven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intro: Best Solar Oven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: What you need! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 2: Paint and Dry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 3: Tinfiol in the Small Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 4: Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 5: Reflectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 6: Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 7: Clean and Protect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 8: Rack's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 9: Thermometor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 10: Please Enjoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

http://www.instructables.com/id/Best-Solar-Oven/

Author:ben1122
i rock

Intro: Best Solar Oven

In my Engineering class, my teacher told us that we had to invent or modify something and post it on the Instructables web site. I looked at three or four solar oven, and
using their findings and ideas, I built the Ultimate SOLAR OVEN!
This Solar Oven is very cheap and easy to make. It uses around-the-house items that you use every day.
I hope you enjoy my solar oven.
Ben G.

Step 1: What you need!

Like I said, almost all the items are things you find around you house. You will need...
-1 big box (You probably want it to be a square box that is bigger than 2 feet long)
-1 small box (It should also be square and 4-6 inches smaller than the big box)
-Styrofoam insulation (you can cut it up to fit in the big box)
-Tinfiol
-Black spray paint
-Newspaper
-Glass (One person used glass from a broken scanner. It will need to be big enough to cover the box. You can also buy a sheet of glass and use a glass cutter to cut it so
it has the right dimensions.)
-Tape or glue
-Glass cleaner
-Pare towel
-Sharpe (who says it can't be pretty)
-Thermometer
-Baking rack (optional)
-Timer (optional)
-If it isn't sunny, you can try a very bright light. It probably won't work as well.
Once you have gathered all the materials, you may go on to the next step...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Best-Solar-Oven/

Image Notes
1. Newspaper
2. Tinfiol
3. Pen/Sharpie
4. Tape
5. Black spray paint
6. Cardboard box

Step 2: Paint and Dry

First, you must go out side with your small box and paint the bottom of the box black with your spray paint. DO NOT breath in the fumes! Depending on you paint bottle, it
should dry in 15 minutes.

Step 3: Tinfiol in the Small Box

After the small box is dry, bring it back inside. Then use the tinfoil to cover the 4 sides. It should look like the picture below. You must use the shiny side of the tinfoil. Also,
it is better if you use see-through tape.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Best-Solar-Oven/

Step 4: Insulation
While the spray paint dry's, you can work on the main part of the oven. The insulation is what keeps the oven warm and that is what cooks the food. Because the
insulation is sooo important, I used two different kinds of insulation.
The first kind was the syrofoam insulation. I used half inch white stryfoam plate. I then cut them down to the length of you box. I should surround all 5 sides with no
cracks. It is okay if there are cracks, but try to make sure there aren't any.
The second kind of insulation is newspaper. Place the small box in the bigger box. If the dimensions are good, there should be 1-2 inches on all sides of the boxes.
Crumble the used pieces of newspaper and stuff them in the area. Make sure there are gaps between the newspaper. Those gaps will store the warm heat in the air
pockets, which will make the oven warmer.

Image Notes
1. Cardboard
2. Styrofoam
3. Tinfoil on the small box
4. Styrofoam on the bottom of the big box

Step 5: Reflectors
By now, the oven sould be almost be complete.
The next step is to make the reflectors. One person said that unless you live near the equator, you must need these, or the solar oven wont work. Hopefully, you kept the
tops of the boxes that fold over the top to close the box. You will then cover them with tinfoil. It is best to be kept at a 45* angle, although if anyone has any thoughts on
how to keep it up, please tell me.
Remember to use the shiny side of the tinfoil, and the see-through tape.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Best-Solar-Oven/

Step 6: Glass
The last main step of my awesome solar oven is the glass part. The more exact it is, the less hot air will escape, which will let your food product to cook faster and better.
I used a big picture frame, and cut it down to its apropiate shape (My dad helped me with the sharp parts).
I am not going to tell you how to cut glass, so that will be part of your job to figure out how to cut it. It will probably tell you on the glass cutter, though.

Image Notes
1. make sure you measure correctly
2. a glass cutter

Image Notes
1. I snapped off the glass carefully

Step 7: Clean and Protect

After you carefully cut the glass to your desired dimensions, you must make sure it is safe.
The way I did this was I put Super Duty Duct Tape on all the edges. I also put two layers on the corners there are no injury's.
After, I used glass cleaner on both sides to clean it so it is shiny. I recomend not spraying the cleaner near the tape; just incase the tape gets soggy and comes off.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Best-Solar-Oven/

Image Notes
1. saftey first

Image Notes
1. The cleaner, the better

Step 8: Rack's
Before you place the glass on your oven, you might want to do this...
An optional idea is that you can place a baking rack on the bottom of the oven. It would be better if all the sides cooked (top, bottom, and inside).

Image Notes
1. a baking rack...it is not necessary

http://www.instructables.com/id/Best-Solar-Oven/

Step 9: Thermometor
Another good idea is to use a thermometer. Depending on the kind you own, you can just place it in the oven and check on after a while.
My last suggestion to have a timer, and double the timing on your timer for a regular oven.

Image Notes
1. a thermometer

Step 10: Please Enjoy

I hope you can cook some very edible meals in my oven. If you have an suggestions or ideas, PLEASE TELL ME! I also want to hear what your findings were to. If you
have any questions, you can also ask me.
Ben G.

Image Notes
1. A tasty treat I made with my oven!

Related Instructables

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DoctorDv

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Reused and
Recycled
Materials by
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Baehr

The Shoebox
Solar Oven! by
DoctorDv

http://www.instructables.com/id/Best-Solar-Oven/

shoebox solar
oven by
tgferreira184

How To Make A
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How to Make a
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Comments
21 comments Add Comment

RadiantLux says:

Jun 15, 2010. 12:42 PM REPLY

Your next step will cover the box with foil. Why do you need to paint it? I would rather not add the toxins to m y oven. Does it make a difference?

donhudson says:

Aug 31, 2013. 10:29 AM REPLY

radiant good call. the box doesnt have to be black, my first cardboard cooker i used a black t shirt, ( i too dont like toxins and being a painter i know what
nasty things are in them ) you can use reflective material inside, the side effect is that the oven will not get as hot standing alone with no cookware. if
however you add a nice piece of black cookware you get good heat. elevate the cookware a bit off the bottom for optimum performance.

ZeBadger says:

Jul 16, 2010. 4:37 AM REPLY

I don't think that you are supposed to put foil on the bottom... but the black in the photograph looks rather grey :/

DatBuilderBoy says:

Jun 3, 2013. 12:21 PM REPLY

you Put the Paint At The Bottom To Hold Heat Nice Idea Ben112

hefner93 says:

Feb 22, 2010. 4:18 PM REPLY

may i have the recipe you used for the cookies for this oven i might be making this for a physics project and do you know how long it would normally take to
bake them?

macnomad84 says:

Jul 6, 2012. 2:00 PM REPLY

lol physics project !! worried about recipe hahah!!!! funniest thing i heard all day
just BURN SOMETHING mwahahaha PROOF OF PRINCIPLE :)

wrksnfx says:

Dec 15, 2010. 11:16 AM REPLY

Double your cooking time just remember to keep a check on them so they wont burn.

sxu1 says:

May 24, 2012. 3:14 PM REPLY

How long did these cookies take to bake? Please respond!!!

penasagra says:

May 26, 2011. 9:45 AM REPLY

To keep the flaps in the right position you could join the flaps using either pastic tape (ideally duck tape) or a string set to the right distance.
When the flaps try to fall down, they'll be stopped by the string and will remain at 45 degree angle.
Not very useful if there's wind but...
I hope it helps.

javajunkie1976 says:

Jul 4, 2011. 11:46 AM REPLY

Duct tape will release if made to sit in the sun for a long time. The stuff, in my opinion, is useless. The tape you should use is called Gaff tape. Theater
set construction crews swear by it as do I. It can be applied and reapplied many times.

Ballabirdie says:

Jun 25, 2010. 4:56 PM REPLY

@RadiantLux You need the black paint in a solar oven because the color black absorbs light (and therefore, heat) and is essential to make the oven hotter.
You could probably find some non-toxic black spray paint, if you are willing to look for a while.

wrksnfx says:

Dec 15, 2010. 11:15 AM REPLY

Tempura paint, or child-safe or barbecue grill paint as long as the label reads non toxic when dry is what is needed.

i c monkey says:
don't put foil on the bottom of the box

http://www.instructables.com/id/Best-Solar-Oven/

Nov 22, 2010. 2:12 PM REPLY

hyperfocused72 says:

Oct 30, 2010. 5:38 PM REPLY

You can *not* use styrofoam for insulation in a solar cooker! They give off toxic fumes! Read the Introductory Manual at htttp://www.solarcooking.org under
Solar Cooking: The Basics to find safe alternative ways to insulate your cooker. Then see how you might improve on some of the existing designs. Good
luck!

Tannius says:

Mar 4, 2010. 12:23 PM REPLY

What is the average temperature inside the over? I'm guessing 450 degrees isn't even close other wise the cardboard would combust, also the reason you
said to double cooking time.

Ev says:

Sep 22, 2010. 1:34 PM REPLY

I have a manufactured sun oven from http://www.sunoven.com/. It can get to 400f in the summer time. It's an even heat, not like a gas or electric oven
which has hot spots. I use regular cooking times. There are some solar recipes on the internet. There are a LOT more crock-pot or slow-cooker recipes
that adapt very well to solar cooking.

Ev says:

Sep 22, 2010. 1:28 PM REPLY

Doesn't make sense to paint it black then cover with aluminum foil. I say skip the painting step. You DO want to put black cooking pots in it to convert the
light energy into heat. Solar cooking recipes even say you can bake a potato by putting it in a black cotton sock!

Lawst says:

Aug 12, 2010. 9:26 AM REPLY

To position the reflectors and hold them in place use sticks. Either tape them into position or stick them into the ground at the height you need.

sarahann826 says:

Jun 19, 2010. 3:09 PM REPLY

does the glass go on the very top of the box on the inside, or does it go on the bottom under the rack? I didn't understand that part. Love the idea and will
definitely try this. Thanks.

thisismin3 says:

May 20, 2010. 1:47 PM REPLY

is it possible to use a substitute for black spray paint, such as dark blue?

ben1122 says:
Solar ovens are much better for the earth, and you can save money and energy (electricity)!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Best-Solar-Oven/

Nov 17, 2009. 6:08 AM REPLY