How To Build DIY Cardboard Box Solar Oven

June 26th, 2010 |

Author: admin

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Cardboard box solar ovens make a great summer project for the family. Not only are they fun to make, but they are also fun to make food in. You get to use an all natural souce- the sun!

Many things can be cooked in them. Hotdogs, English muffins just to name a few. Here we show you how to build one step-by-step.

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Materials.

Things you will need:
1) Cardboard box – I used an old rollerblade box
2) Aluminum foil
3) Nontoxic glue or tape – I used Scotch Magic Tape 810
4) Black construction paper – I didn’t have any of this so I used some black cloth
5) Plastic wrap
6) A pencil
7) Scissors

Permanent Marker
9) Grill rack to put the food on

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Cut the top flap.

Using the permanent marker trace a square over the top of the box, leaving about a one to two inch border. Cut out the box, leaving the back (top) end attached so it becomes a flap.

This top flap will become our reflector for the sun light.

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Line with aluminum & black cloth.

Line the bottom of the box with aluminum. Use nontoxic tape or glue to secure the foil in place.

Take the black cloth or black construction paper and place it over the foil. Secure it with nontoxic tape or glue.

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Line lid with foil.

Line the inside of the lid and reflector with foil. Secure with nontoxic glue or tape.

Cover hole with plastic.

Cover the square hole we cut earlier with the plastic wrap. Secure with nontoxic tape or glue.

Cover outside with black cloth.

Cover the front of the box with the black cloth or construction paper. This helps the box to absorb more heat. Secure with nontoxic glue or tape.

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Place oven in the sun.

We are done building the oven! Put the grill rack in the oven. Place the oven in the sun. Angle the reflector to where the most sunlight is reflected into the box. Tape the pencil to where it holds up the lid in place.

Leave the box in the sun for a half an hour to an hour to warm up. It may take a little longer depending on the heat and how clear the sky is in your area. Check on it every 15 minutes to see where it is at.

Put in the food!

Once it is pretty hot put the food in that you want to cook. In my case, hot dogs! Let them cook for a couple of hours or until they are a nice golden brown color. Check on them every 15 minutes or so.