What items have parabolic shapes?

Question

I was wondering what regular items around the house or is easily bought would fit into making a solar cooker. The item has to have a parabolic shape. It's for school, so it can't be too large; obtrusive. I guess I can say that it also can't be expensive.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Unless you have a spare satellite dish hanging around, probably one of the best things to use would be a regular old umbrella covered with aluminum foil.

Answer 2

Here are instructions for making one out of cardboard:

http://solarcooking.org/plans/parabolic-...

if you want to go more high-tec for a little more money, you can buy a parabolic clamp-lamp like this:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index...

(note the cost is $65 because that is for six lamps, individual clamp lamps are about $12 each).  If you want to scrounge a bit, most car headlamps have a parabolic reflector.  If you go to a junkyard you can probably pick up some headlamp backshells for not too much money.

Answer 3

Just make a parabolic shape by using aluminum foil.