How to Make an Insulated and Compact Solar Box Oven

How to Make an Insulated and Compact Solar Box Oven

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There are many projects out there that involve turning a box into a solar oven by adding items that conduct and then radiate heat.  However, the following project takes things a step further by including insulation while producing a cooker that is compact and takes up less space.  The following steps will give you a general idea of the basic, underlying principles of the design, and you can find a lot of ways to improvise as you go.

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Required Material:

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Suitable box

Insulation

Duct tape

Black foam that is at around ¼ inch thick

Construction paper

Aluminum foil

Skewers

Pane of glass or clear plastic

Glue

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Getting Started

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The first step is to choose the appropriate-sized box.  Keep in mind that the insulation should make the oven more efficient, so you can reduce the size of the box that you would otherwise need.  However, you will also need space inside of the box for the insulation and foam.  You can use any type of insulation that you like, but try and think along the lines of Styrofoam, craft foam or even fiberglass insulation.  You can also use things like old shirts and newspaper as well.  Aim to create a layer of insulation that is around 2 inches thick.  Cut the insulation down to size so that you can layer the bottom and inside walls of the box before trimming the edges so they are flush against the top of the inside of the box as well.

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Building the Cooker

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The next step is to make the surface area of the cooker bigger so that it can absorb more heat.  Measure the flaps on the box and find another one that has similar dimensions. 

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Cut off the flaps from the second box and attach them to the ones on the oven.  Use duct tape to connect the pieces at their edges in order to double the length of the flaps.

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Next, take the skewers (any material will do), and use them as support arms to hold the flaps up so they fan out at about a 45 degree angle.  You will need eight skewers, two for each flap, and you can also use small sticks as an alternative.  Anchor the skewers by poking them into the side walls of the box at or below an imaginary line along the center of each side.  Anchor the tops of the skewers to the flaps in a similar manner. 

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The next step is to line the insulation with the black foam.  This will create the layer that will absorb energy from the sun.  The heat will then be transferred to the insulation, and this will help the box to retain heat more effectively.  Cut the foam into sections, and trim the pieces as necessary so they will fit over the insulation and completely cover the material.  Glue the foam onto the insulation to hold it in place.

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Next, take the construction paper and cut each piece into a triangle that is a little bit larger than the spaces between the flaps when they are extended.  Tape them to the corners of the flaps, with the pointed end of the triangle facing down.  This will create additional surface area while also being collapsible when you close and store the box. 

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Finally, place a couple of layers of aluminum foil over the flaps and corner pieces until they are completely covered.  Adding more than one layer will make the unit more durable.  Glue the foil to the flaps and let dry.

All you need to do now is trim your glass or clear plastic pane so that it fits atop the insulation.  This will be your cooking surface.  It should have a snug fit, and make sure that the edges are flush against the box in order to make the unit more structurally sound.  All you need to do now is let the box heat in the sun until it reaches maximum temperature before placing your cooking items atop the glass or plastic.

Keep in mind that the temperature of this cooker will depend on the quality of insulation you use as well as the intensity of the energy from the sun.  This project can give you temperatures upwards of 200 degrees, and you can always make modifications to make it hotter as well.  In any case, this basic design is a great starting point to creating a box oven that will be as efficient and practical as possible out in the field, and it can help to conserve resources out in the field.  Try it for yourself and see how you can put this rudimentary solar box cooker to work for you.

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