Solar Cooker
Mrs. McGuffey’s Science Class
2nd Semester Project
• The sun’s energy is very powerful, renewable and free!
We use it to create electricity, heat rooms and building
and to cook. You will be designing a solar cooker from
materials you can, most likely, find in your home.
Introduction
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Sturdy tape (duct tape, gorilla tape etc.)
Tin foil, mirrors or any shiny, reflective material
Cardboard
Plastic wrap, plexy glass, glass, or any clear material
Scissors
Rubber bands
Bright sunny day
Food item of your choice, uncooked
Materials
• Slopping sides (about 30 degrees works well)
• The aluminum foil is to focus and concentrate the sun’s
energy
• The sun’s energy is reflected off the foil and focused near
the center of the bottom- this is where you need to place
your food.
• You have the clear “lid” to keep the sun’s
energy from escaping.
Design- Trapping Solar Energy
You can find cardboard from
refrigerator boxes at appliance
stores like Lowes and
HomeDepot.
Just make sure its not flimsy cardboard.
RECYCLE
Construction
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http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/radabaugh30
.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-and-Use-a-Solar-Oven
• Make sure your test container has black paint on it- the
color black will absorb the sun’s energy.
• Set your solar cooker outside to directly face the sun.
• Prop you solar cooker up with stones or a brace.
• Put the container inside with about 2 inches of water and
a thermometer.
• Measure the temperature before you start.
• Measure again every 5-10 minutes and record the results
in the chart I provided you with.
Testing your Solar Heater
• Low Temperature Foods: s'mores, hot dogs, cheese
toast, or anything that could cook at lower temperatures.
• Higher Temperature Foods: rice, cornbread, baked
potatoes, hard boiled eggs
Ideas