Todays Parabolic cooker on the Cheap. Cooks good.

[cstone]

I've been considering this thread for some time... Do you need to consider what is behind your target (pot/food)? You just may have the making of an inexpensive energy weapon. It reminds me of a larger version of the magnifying glass we used as kids to burn insects. This is just pointed up rather than down, although I guess you can point it anywhere as long as you can get a reflection from the sun.

I just wouldn't want to read about a fire started on a neighbor's house because it happened to be right behind your dinner.

[Tim K]

I've been considering this thread for some time... Do you need to consider what is behind your target (pot/food)? You just may have the making of an inexpensive energy weapon. It reminds me of a larger version of the magnifying glass we used as kids to burn insects. This is just pointed up rather than down, although I guess you can point it anywhere as long as you can get a reflection from the sun.

I just wouldn't want to read about a fire started on a neighbor's house because it happened to be right behind your dinner.

A parabolic reflector concentrates the suns energy at a specific point, namely the spot where the satellite receiver sits. Past that, the beams diverge again. Whatever you want heated must be at the focal point of the dish.