BL Workshop

Solar-powered cooking

By Julie Monahan
Illustrations by Jameson Simpson
From the August 2005 Boys' Life magazine

You don’t need four burners and a gas line to make some great-tasting trail food. All you need is plenty of sunlight. Make your own solar oven and feed the whole group. Solar ovens work by bouncing sunlight off a reflective surface into a pot. The hotter the pot, the faster your food will cook. It’s easy to make—and cheap.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• A pizza box
• Black construction paper
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic window covering
• Permanent marker
• Glue
• Tape
• Scissors
• Ruler
• String

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

STEP 1: Line the inside bottom of the box with foil.

STEP 2: Cover foil with black paper and tape in place.

STEP 3: Set the plastic under the box and trace the outline of the box.

STEP 4: Remove the box and draw another outline 1⁄4-inch inside the first outline and cut along inside line.

STEP 5: Close the box cover, and draw another line 1 inch from each side.

STEP 6: Cut along the lines on the front and sides—not the back.
STEP 7: Open the cover and line the inside with foil.

STEP 8: Glue foil in place.

STEP 9: Cover foil with the cut plastic and tape in place.

STEP 10: All layers should be airtight and wrinkle-free.

STEP 11: On the outside of the box cover, attach a string long enough to keep the flap open and let the sun shine in.

STEP 12: Once you have the oven, all you need is the sun. Choose a spot that will get at least several hours of direct sun away from any strong wind.

TRY IT OUT
Solar cooking takes a little practice. Try this recipe first:

Solar Oven S’mores:
Ingredients:

• Graham crackers
• Milk chocolate bars
• Marshmallows

Place graham crackers next to each other on the bottom of a black cast-iron pot. Black pots are best because they absorb and retain the sun’s heat better than light-colored pans. Top each cracker with a piece of chocolate and a marshmallow. Put a glass lid over the pot and place the pot in the center of your solar oven. When the marshmallow is gooey, take out the crackers and add the second layer of graham crackers on top to complete it.

Read 87 comments about “Solar-powered cooking”

Comment page:   « 9 [8] 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 »

1. 77 - mariea says:
   May 19th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

   i have to make a progect for school this might work!

2. 76 - SAGe says:
   May 10th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

   it sounds cool but can it cook meat??

3. 75 - Sammy says:
   April 14th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

   It would be cool to find different solar ovens and see what solar oven bakes quicker!

4. 74 - spongebob1234321 says:
   April 12th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

   i had to make one for school and it took like 15 mins or less. its been raining for like a week so i can’t test it but im looking for recipes so if anyone had any, post.

5. 73 - T says:
   April 7th, 2008 at 9:46 am

   what is the best thing to cook?

6. 72 - Bobby Brown says:
   April 2nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm

   really that is so cool.:):)

7. 71 - squidward tentacles says:
   March 29th, 2008 at 10:17 am

   I made pizza but it eas too windy and it blew into tree and hit a squirrel.

8. 70 - logan says:
   March 25th, 2008 at 11:15 am

   that’s awsome

9. 69 - bob bo bill says:
   March 22nd, 2008 at 3:32 pm

   Mr. wizard the old t.v show did something like this

10. 68 - Cub Scout 530 says:
    March 10th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    I have not tried it yet, but it looks very cool.

Comment page:   « 9 [8] 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 »

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