Creating a homemade solar oven is a rewarding experience that is not only eco-friendly, but can also be an educational and fun activity. This project is perfect for those who want to learn more about solar energy and how to use it to cook food. Below, I will guide you through the steps required to build a DIY solar cooker using a cardboard box and other easy-to-find materials, many of which are recyclable.
Necessary materials
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary utensils and materials:
- Large cardboard box, approximately 60 x 40 x 40 cm (preferably one with a lid)
- Smaller cardboard box , approximately 40 x 30 x 30 cm (that can fit inside the large box)
- Foil
- Black paper or black cardboard
- Transparent film or thin sheet of glass (to cover the opening of the box)
- Scotch tape
- Scissors or cutter
- Glue
- Ruler and pencil
- Newspaper or insulating material (such as styrofoam)
Steps to make a homemade solar oven
Step 1: Prepare the big box
- Insulating the box : Line the inside of the large box with aluminum foil. This will help reflect the heat back into the oven. Use glue or tape to secure it in place. (I used Pattex mounting adhesive from Amazon, because it can stick many different types of materials, but you can use whatever you have on hand.)
- Add insulation : Place a layer of newspaper or insulation on the bottom and sides of the large box. This will help retain heat.
Step 2: Prepare the small box
- Interior lining : Line the inside of the small box with black paper or black cardboard. The black color will absorb the solar heat better.
- Reflect light : Cover the outside of the small box with aluminum foil, leaving the top side open.
Step 3: Assemble the boxes
- Placing the small box inside the large box : Place the small box inside the large box. Make sure there is enough space around the small box to place more insulation if necessary.
Step 4: Create the oven lid
- Cut out the lid : If the large box has a lid, cut out an opening in the lid leaving a 5cm border around it. If it doesn’t have a lid, use a piece of cardboard to create one.
- Cover the opening : Place cling film or thin glass over the opening and secure it with tape. This will allow sunlight to enter the oven and be trapped inside.
Step 5: Create the solar reflector
- Create the reflector : Use another piece of cardboard to create a reflector that you can place at an angle over the opening of the box. Cover one side of the cardboard with aluminum foil.
- Attach the reflector : Use tape or glue to attach the reflector at an angle that directs as much sunlight as possible into the box.
Tips and common mistakes
- Ensure a good seal : It is crucial that the lid (with the cling film or glass) is well sealed to prevent heat from escaping. Use tape to seal any gaps.
- Reflector adjustment : Adjust the angle of the reflector several times to ensure that it is directing sunlight directly into the oven. This is a critical point, as poor orientation can significantly reduce the internal temperature.
- Insulation check : Check that the insulation around the small box is properly in place and does not have any gaps where heat can escape.
- Initial test : Before cooking anything, test the oven by leaving a thermometer inside to see if it reaches the desired temperature. This will help you make adjustments if necessary.
Personal experience
At first, I didn’t position the reflector right and wasn’t getting enough heat. After several adjustments, I managed to get it oriented correctly so that it was directing as much sunlight as possible into the oven. I also made sure the lid was completely sealed , using duct tape to close any gaps where heat could escape.
After making these adjustments, it finally worked. We placed some s’mores inside the oven and waited. Before long, the chocolate was melted to perfection, showing that the solar oven was working properly.
Conclusion
Building a DIY solar oven is not only a fun and educational activity, but it is also a great way to harness solar energy to cook food . By following these steps and paying attention to critical details, you can create an efficient, portable solar cooker that works in reality. Good luck with your project and enjoy your solar-cooked meals!