View Full Version : Solar ovens
I've looked around, and there are many, many plans out there for solar ovens. I'm going to build one or more, but have no experience with any of them. Have any of you guys built one yourself?
Most plans involve cardboard and aluminum foil for the reflectors. If I find a design that works well, I was thinking I'd cut the panels out of 1/8" MDF for more durability. My CNC router will make short work of that process, so if anyone else wanted a set I'd be happy to push the "go" button twice.
I'm. In
I've played with the cheap ones. Trying to do a frensel lenses design in my spare time
I've looked around, and there are many, many plans out there for solar ovens. I'm going to build one or more, but have no experience with any of them. Have any of you guys built one yourself?
Most plans involve cardboard and aluminum foil for the reflectors. If I find a design that works well, I was thinking I'd cut the panels out of 1/8" MDF for more durability. My CNC router will make short work of that process, so if anyone else wanted a set I'd be happy to push the "go" button twice.
Solar oven? You plan on making us pies when SHTF?
No idea what a solar oven is honestly.
http://solarcooking.org/plans/
http://www.sunoven.com/
Pretty cool..but if the purpose is portability wouldn't MDF make it substantially heavier..
You'd gain durability but it's not something that could easily be lugged around.
Still like the idea though.. for a bug out location.
I'll be a guinea pig for it :)
My purpose is not portability necessarily, just the ability to cook without fuel. I'm kinda thinking two styles are needed, one of the oven variety for baking and another "pot heater" for boiling water or whatever.
I was looking at some of those designs and there are some pretty cool ones that seem damn easy.. it could work well.
I say give it a go. Who knows maybe you get fancy w/ your carbon fibers and make a lightweight one.
I liked how they say to use foil of a potato chip bag (the inside silver liner) I'd imagine those would be plentiful to find more so than aluminum foil should SHTF
ChunkyMonkey
11-01-2012, 17:20
Very interested.
Come down to the restaurant again, this time, we'll do sesame chicken parabolic style. I have a couple of these...
http://www.scientificsonline.com/large-parabolic-reflectors.html - only after a while, I just use them as woks.
Seriously, the chinese has been known to use a polished wok to signal, solar cook, as shield during war etc.
If you have enough materials I would be happy to pay for and take an extra "go" batch off your hands. I'm not worried about the weight as I am not going to bug out with it. mostly going to use it and hope that it lasts a while.
Are you going to make one that can be disassembled and the parts laid flat for storage and transport?
gnihcraes
11-01-2012, 21:29
TimK interested in a design that works well and the pieces to assemble one. I'm thinking of trying a few types.
We built ones in middle school back in the late 70's. Aluminum foil inside half a cardboard oat container. Coat hanger poked through both ends for a hot dog holder, warmed up a dog pretty well.
Are you going to make one that can be disassembled and the parts laid flat for storage and transport?
Dunno. I haven't selected a design yet. Certainly flat storage is important for something I'm unlikely to use after trying it once or twice. Got one you think looks cool? That question applies to you all, BTW.
Aloha_Shooter
11-01-2012, 22:57
If I find a design that works well, I was thinking I'd cut the panels out of 1/8" MDF for more durability.
A lot of good designs out there but are you sure you want to be cooking with high temps inside something embedded with formaldehyde resins? Since portability isn't a factor, why don't you use kiln-dried wood that you don't have to worry about?
Also note some of the designs for solar ovens can also be used as rdiant refrigerators at night. Heck, you can even freeze stuff with the right ambient night temperatures.
Dunno. I haven't selected a design yet. Certainly flat storage is important for something I'm unlikely to use after trying it once or twice. Got one you think looks cool? That question applies to you all, BTW.
I honestly don't know much about them. In one of the links posted up, a lot of those looked like open air designs. I figured you'd make one like that pre-made one in the second link for $379. Something that is enclosed to trap heat in.
I did have an idea today, and don't be too hard on me if it is stupid (because it very well might be). I was thinking that if you made one that was the same curve as your windshield, you could cook small meals by setting the oven up on your dashboard. If that worked, and was safe, I'd probably bring lunch for when I'm shooting matches. Go throw a potpie into my dashboard mini oven between stages, and go check it after the next stage.
Also note some of the designs for solar ovens can also be used as radiant refrigerators at night. Heck, you can even freeze stuff with the right ambient night temperatures.
Are you being facetious? If not, I don't understand what you mean at all. I'm under the impression that cold, is merely the absence of heat; so I'm not sure how you could radiate it, or get temperatures colder than ambient. If this is possible, then I am just as interested in this, as I am a solar oven.
Are you being facetious? If not, I don't understand what you mean at all. I'm under the impression that cold, is merely the absence of heat; so I'm not sure how you could radiate it, or get temperatures colder than ambient. If this is possible, then I am just as interested in this, as I am a solar oven.
you're not radiating the cold into the object you're radiating the heat out of the object, directly reversing the process. It's the same reason your solar cells have diodes otherwise they'd charge during the day and discharge at night.
The circumstances have to be just right though. If you need solar refrigeration you're going to have to look into the modern icy ball projects that are going on. Unfortunately my patent/experiments into a multi phase icy ball have stalled due to lack of funding and time.
Hmm, I'll have to look into that. I've never heard of it.
The Norseman
11-14-2012, 19:49
OK, before the crash I posted pics of the solar oven my son and I built. It is a "Heaven's Flame" design, made with recycled cardboard, aluminum foil, and a piece of glass.
Here: www.backwoodshome.com/articles/radabaugh30.html (http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/radabaugh30.html)
OK, before the crash I posted pics of the solar oven my son and I built. It is a "Heaven's Flame" design, made with recycled cardboard, aluminum foil, and a piece of glass.
Here: www.backwoodshome.com/articles/radabaugh30.html (http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/radabaugh30.html)
That's actually the one I was leaning toward. What do you think of the deign? I was considering making mine out of plywood for durability.
The Norseman
11-14-2012, 21:29
Tim, as built, it is pretty tuff. There is a lot of cardboard for insulation, so it is actually rigid and a bit heavy, sturdy I'd say. Th most fragile part is the glass (mine's been broken already). What I have cooked in it has cooked relatively quickly. What I like best is the cost of materials...next to nothing for a pretty efficient oven/cooker.
Due to shift-work, my family had Thanksgiving today. I realized today that I really could have used a solar oven.
Tim, I know there is some way to make cardboard significantly more durable by coating it in some sort of paint, or corrugated paper, or wood seal or something. I know I've seen a thread about it on another site, but I'm having a difficult time finding it. Once I find it, I'll post it here.
Tim, I know there is some way to make cardboard significantly more durable by coating it in some sort of paint, or corrugated paper, or wood seal or something. I know I've seen a thread about it on another site, but I'm having a difficult time finding it. Once I find it, I'll post it here.
Or we can utilize all those campaign signs?
My thought with wood was that in addition to strength I might also be able to make it collapse flat for storage with some clever design. Plus, I could cut multiple copies on my CNC.
Rust_shackleford
11-15-2012, 10:15
A great thread guys
USAFGopherMike
11-19-2012, 19:12
I'm going to combine a solar oven with a fersnel lens. Has anybody ever fried a turkey using a fersnel/solar cooker?
Edit - I recall seeing a version that lined the inside of a solar oven with black bricks and achieved a temp over 300. Unrelated to turkey frying.
HoneyBadger
11-19-2012, 20:51
I'm interested in the umbrellas. I wonder how effective a 36" diameter umbrella could be if the inside was coated with foil or reflective tape? it's appealing to me because it could be made cheaply from things I have sitting around and it folds down nicely.
gnihcraes
11-19-2012, 23:01
I did the satellite dish thing this sunday, was able to burn soda cans with it. (smoke rolling off the can) too hot to touch - easily burns your hand. (ask me how I know)
I was running out of sunlight, but was getting 150-170 degrees easily.
So it makes me wonder, if I pointed the dish into a solar oven or fresnel lens?
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