Tips on making a solar oven?

Question

Okay well Im making a solar oven for my AP environmental class, and it doesnt have to be really high tech so im just using this website http://www.ehow.com/how_2083_make-solar-...

but i was wondering if itd be a good idea to also wrap the big box in which im stapling the reflector on to with aluminum foil as well, will that help insulate and attract the sun even more? or will that just take away from the reflector?

Answer 1

Lauren B

you have a broken link. Correct to http://www.ehow.com/how_2083_make-solar-...

This site illustrates:  http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Minim...

Other examples of solar cookers: http://www.solarcooking.org/plans/

There will be no advantage to wrapping the outer box with foil.  Foil does not attract the sun's heat, it reflects (repels) it.  It will not reflect the sun into the core of the box.  

The project as outlined is inexpensive and easy.  There are a lot of other things you can do to make it more effective, but they also make it more complicated or expensive.  

The most effective thing is to make sure the foil is flat and smooth.  This will better focus the sun rays and heat inside the box.  

The next thing is to replace the plastic wrap lens with glass.  

You can also use a mirror to reflect the sun into the box for increased efficiency.