Solar Ovens

How to make a solar oven

step 1
Find two boxes. One should fit inside the other with a 2- to 3-inch space on each side. (This can vary slightly - the space will be filled with newspaper.)
Step 2
Line the bottom of the large box with crumpled newspaper.
Step 3
Place the smaller box inside the large box.
Step 4
Fill the space between the sides of the two boxes with crumpled newspaper.
Step 5
Line the sides of the inside of the smaller box with aluminum foil. You can use a non-toxic tape or fold the edges of foil over the top of the box to hold it in place.
Step 6
Line the bottom of the inside of the smaller box with black construction paper to absorb heat.
Step 7
Lay a piece of cardboard on top of the large box and trace the shape of the box onto the cardboard.
Step 8
Add 2 inches around the trace line and cut out to make a reflector.
Step 9
Cover the cardboard piece with aluminum foil. Smooth out any wrinkles and secure the aluminum foil to the cardboard with non-toxic glue or tape.
Step 10
Staple the reflector to the outside back of the large box.
Step 11
Situate the oven with the box opening up and the reflector facing the sun for maximum heat.
Step 12
Place food to be cooked in the solar oven. (See "How to Use a Solar Oven," under Related eHows.)
Step 13
Stretch clear plastic wrap across the top of the large box. Secure the plastic with tape around the entire box.

3 types of solar ovens

1. box type-Box cookers cook at moderate to high temperatures and often accommodate multiple pots. Worldwide, they are the most widespread. There are several hundred thousand in India alone.
2. panel type-Panel cookers incorporate elements of box and curved concentrator cookers. They are simple and relatively inexpensive to buy or produce. Solar Cookers International's "CooKit" is the most widely used combination cooker.
3. parabolic-Curved concentrator cookers, or "parabolics," cook fast at high temperatures, but require frequent adjustment and supervision for safe operation. Several hundred thousand exist, mainly in China. They are especially useful for large-scale institutional cooking.