Principles of Solar Cooker Design Page 1 of 4

The Solar Cooking Archive

Principles of Solar Box Cooker Design <D

By Mark Aalfs, Solar Cookers International
e-mail:~alfs@yahoo.cQm

The purpose of this paper is to summarize the basic principles that

are used in the design of solar box cookers.

People use solar cookers primarily to cook food and pasteurize water,
although additional uses are continuallybeing developed. Numerous
factors including access to materials, availability of traditional
cooking fuels, climate, food preferences, cultural factors, and
technical capabilities, affect people's approach to solar cooking.

With an understanding of basic principles of solar energy and access

Figure 1. So1arbm::cooker 'Vith
cover, vindov.and. re1lector
to simple materials such as cardboard, aluminum foil, and glass, one
can build an effective solar cooking device. This paper outlines the
basic principles of solar box cooker design and identifies a broad
range of potentially useful constructionmaterials.

These principles are presented in general terms so that they are applicable to a wide variety of design
problems. Whether the need is to cook food, pasteurize water, or dry fish or grain; the basic
principles of solar, heat transfer, and materials apply. We look forward to the application of a wide
variety of materials and techniques as people make direct use ofthe sun's energy.

The following are the general concepts relevant to the design or modification of a solar box cooker:

Heat Principles
Materials Requirements
Design and ProportiC)D
Solar Box Cooker Operation
Cultural Factor~
Back to the~

HEAT PRINCIPLES
The basic purpose of a solar box cooker is to heat things up - cook food, purify water, and sterilize
instruments - to mention a few.

A solar box cooks because the interior of the box is heated by the energy of the sun. Sunlight, both
direct and reflected, enters the solar box through the glass or plastic top. It turns to heat energy when
it is absorbed by the dark absorber plate and cooking pots. This heat input causes the temperature
inside of the solar box cooker to rise until the heat loss of the cooker is equal to the solar heat gain.
Temperatures sufficient for cooking food and pasteurizing water are easily achieved.

Given two boxes that bave the same heat retention capabilities, the one that has more gain, from

- http://solarcooking.org/sbcdes.htm 817/2006
Principles of Solar CookerDesign Page 2 of 4

stronger sunlightor additional sunlight via a reflector, will be hotter inside. @

Given two boxes that have equal heat gain, the one that has more heat retention capabilities - better
insulated walls, bottom, and top - will reach a higher interior temperature.

The following heating principles will be considered first:

. li~~in
. Heat loss
. Heal storag~

li~atYrincip-Iefi~ a().~!tgain, He~t loss, He~lJ;J9.r3g~ IJylllj:~rials RfJl!!irelTIf-.n~

Designand Proportion ISolar Box Cooker Operation ICultural Factors ITo top

A. Heat gain
Greenhouse effect: This effect results in the heating of enclosed spaces into which the sun shines
through a transparentmaterial such as glass or plastic. Visible light easily passes through the glass
and is absorbed and reflected by materials within the enclosed space.

The light energy that is absorbed by dark pots and

the dark absorber plate underneath the pots is
converted into longer wavelength heat energy and
radiates from the interior materials.Most of this
K~ ~ radiant energy, because it is of a longer
wavelength, cannot pass back out through the glass
and is therefore trapped within the enclosed space.
F'ig:u£e 2. The g:reenlJouse effect
The reflected light is either absorbed by other
materials within the space or, because it doesn't
change wavelength, passes back out through the
glass.

Critical to solar cooker performance, the heat that

is collected by the dark metal absorber plate and
pots is conducted through those materials to heat
and cook the food.

Glass orientation: The more directly the glass

faces the sun, the greater the solar heat gain.
Although the glass is the same size on box 1 and
box 2, more sun shines through the glass on box 2
because it faces the sun more directly. Note that
box 2 also has more wall area through which to
lose heat.
F'igure 3. Gla:m:OIient8.tDn

Reflectors, additional gain: Single or multiple

reflectors bounce additional sunlight through the
glass and into the solar box. This additional input

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Principles of Solar Cooker Design Page 3 of 4

of solar energy results in higher cooker

temperatures. @
Pigure 4. Retectors for addmmaIsoJar gain

Heat Principles: Heat gain. Heat loss. Heat storage IMaterials Requirements
Design and ProlHu:lLQ!!ISolar Box Cooker OperatiQD ICpltural Factor~ II~tQp

B. Heat loss
The Second Law of Thennodynamics states that heat always travels from hot to cold. Heat withina
solar box cooker is lost in three fundamental ways: Conduction, Radiation, and Convection

Conduction:

The handle of a metal pan on a stove or fire becomes hot throughthe transfer of heat from the fire
through the materials of the pan, to the materials of the handle.In the same way, heat within a solar
box is lost when it travels through the molecules of tin foil, glass,cardboard, air, and insulation, to
the air outside of the box.

The solarheated absorber plate

conductsheat to the bottoms of the
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ pots. To prevent loss of this heat via
conductionthrough the bottom of the
cooker, the absorber plate is raised
Pigure 5. Heat conducted through tie pan to haJdJe
from the bottom using small
insulatingspacers as in figure 6.

Radiation: Things that are warm or

hot --fires, stoves, or pots and food
within a solar box cooker -- give off
¥.-.J"O "V""'- heat waves, or radiate heat to their
surroundings.These heat waves are
radiatedfrom warm objects through
Figure 6. Heat radia1eS from 'ftIJD. air or space. Most of the radiant heat
c~.
given off by the warm pots within a
solar box is reflected from the foil
and glass back to the pots and bottom
tray. Although the transparent
glazingsdo trap most of the radiant
heat, some does escape directly
Figure 7. Hea1ed air mayes:a.pe tbrough cracks. throughthe glazing. Glass traps
radiant heat better than most plastics.

Convection: Molecules of air move

in and out of the box through cracks.

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Principles of Solar Cooker Design Page 4 of 4

They convect. Heated air molecules

within a solar box escape, primarily
@
through the cracks around the top lid,
a side" oven door" opening, or
construction imperfections. Cooler
air from outside the box also enters
through these openings.

C. Heat storage:
As the density and weight of the materials within the insulated
shell of a solar box cooker increase, the capacity of the box to hold
heat increases. The interior of a box including heavy materials
such as rocks, bricks, heavy pans, water, or heavy foods will take
longer to heat up because of this additional heat storage capacity.
The incoming energy is stored as heat in these heavy materials,
Figure 8. Them1al ID8SIinside of the slowing down the heating of the air in the box.
3IiIar box.

These dense materials, charged with heat, will radiate that heat within the box, keeping it wann for a
longer period at the day's end.

Heat Principles: Heat gain, Heat loss. Heat storage IMaterials Requirements
Design and Proportion ISolar Box Cooker Operation ICultural Factors ITo top
Natural Building Colloquium Page 1 of 5

.~~idJi3Ji~1D~~~~~~L
@

Solar Cooker Design and

Construction Guide
EL PASO SOLAR ENERGY ASSOCIATION AND MARK AALFS, SOLAR COOKERS
INTERNATIONAL

Why Solar Cooking?

Solar cooking is used widely in developing countries as an

alternative to wood, charcoal, coal, and dung fires, all of which
.Colloquium:
Introduction
create environmental problems for the country, and health
problems for the cook, and they are expensive.

The Context:
.. Natural Buildina
Solar cookersare also "environmentally-friendly" and non-
polluting;food will not burn; fewer problems with boil-over; keeps
..The Buildina Codes
Societal Imoact Matrix house cooler and reduces summer cooling costs; economical -
..
Return of The Villaae
Habitat For Humanitv
cookers can be made from recycled material and cost nothing to
operate; safe - no risk of fire
..
Earthmother Dwellina
Intuitive Desian
Curves of Breath & Clav
. Fen~hui
Solar cookers are easy to make and even easier to use. The
simplest design can be made in less than 1/2 hour and will cook a
hot-dog or tray of cookies in under an hour! A larger panel cooker
The Art: or a box cooker will cook a pot of dried beans in less than a day,
.
.. Overview of Techniaue::;
Nature. Earth & Magic
and there is no need to "watch the pot" - just place it in the

.. llibrid House
Barefoot Architecture
cookerinthemorningand returnin the evening.

.
..
Historv
Cob Q & A
of Cob

Natural Comoosites
With an understandingof basic principles of solar energy and
access to simple materials such as cardboard, aluminumfoil, and
.. Como res sed Earth Blocks
Adobe Oven
glass, one can build an effective solar cooking device. Whether
the need is to cook food, pasteurize water, or dry fish or grain, the
.. Earthen Floo,
Earthbaas
HonevHouse
basic principlesof solar, heat transfer, and materials apply. We
.. German Clay Buildina
look forward to the application of a wide variety of materials and
techniques as people make direct use of the sun's energy.
.. Straw-baleDome
Earthen Plaster & Aliz

. Natural Paints
j3amboo
Heat Principles

A solar box cooks because the interior of the box is heated by the
..
Technology:
Solar Distiller
Solar Water Heater
energy of the sun. Sunlight, both direct and reflected, enters the
solar box through the glass or plastic top. It turns to heat energy
.. ComR.Q§J!ng~9ilet§ when it is absorbed by the dark absorber plate and cooking pots.

. Watson Wick
~Qj~lJ)vE!nS
This heat input causes the temperature inside of the solar box
cooker to rise until the heat loss of the cooker is equal to the solar
heat gain. Temperatures sufficient for cooking food and
pasteurizing water are easily achieved.

Given two boxes that have the same heat retention capabilities,
the one that has more gain, from stronger sunlight or additional
sunlight via a reflector,will be hotter inside. Given two boxes that
have equal heat gain, the one that has more heat retention
Home Page:
capabilities - better insulated walls, bottom, and top - will reach
netwQ[kearth a higher interiortemperature.

Materials Requirements

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Natural Building Colloquium Page 2 of 5

Structural material. Structural materials are necessary so that the

box willhave and retain a given shape and form, and be durable
over time. Structural materials include cardboard, wood, plywood,
@
masonite, bamboo, metal, cement, bricks, stone, glass,
fiberglass, woven reeds, rattan, plastic, papier mache, clay,
rammed earth, metals, tree bark, and cloth stiffened with glue or
other material. Many materials that perform well structurally are
too dense to be good insulators. To provide both structural
integrity and good insulation qualities, it is usually necessary to
use separate structural and insulating materials.

Insulation. In order for the box to reach interior temperatures high

enough for cooking, the walls and the bottom of the box must
have good insulation(heat retention) value. Good insulating
materialsinclude: aluminum foil(radiant reflector),feathers (down
feathers are best), spun fiberglass, rockwool, cellulose, rice hulls,
wool,straw, and crumpled newspaper. When building a solar
cooker,it is important that the insulation materials surround the
interiorcooking cavity of the solar box on all sides except for the
glazedside - usually the top. Insulating materials should be
installed so that they allow minimal conduction of heat from the
inner box structural materials to the outer box structural materials.
The lower the box heat loss, the higher the cooking temperatures.

Transparentmaterial. At least one surface of the box must be

transparentand face the sun to provide for heating via the
"greenhouseeffect." The most common glazing materials are
glass and high temperature plastics such as oven roasting bags.
Doubleglazing, using either glass or plastic, affects both the heat
gain and the heat loss. Depending on the material used, the solar
transmittance- heat gain - may be reduced by 5-15%.
However,because the heat loss through the glass or plastic is cut
in half,the overall solar box performance is increased.

Moistureresistance. Most foods that are cooked in a solar box

cooker contain moisture. When water or food is heated in the
solar box, a vapor pressure is created, driving the moisture from
.the inside to the outside of the box. There are several ways that
this moisture can travel. It can escape directly through box gaps
and cracks or be forced into the box walls and bottom if there is
no moisture barrier. If a box is designed with high quality seals
and moisture barriers, the water vapor may be retained inside the
cooking chamber. In the design of most solar box cookers, it is
importantthat the inner-most surface of the cooker be a good
vapor barrier. This barrier will prevent water damage to the
insulationand structural materials of the cooker by slowing the
migrationof water vapor into the walls and bottom of the cooker.

Design and Proportion

Box Size of a Solar Box Cooker. The size should allow for the
largest amount of food commonly cooked. If the box needs to be
moved often, it should not be so large that this task is difficult.
The box design must accommodate the cookware that is
available or commonly used.

Solar CollectionArea to Box Volume Ratio. Everything else being

equal, the greater the solar collection area of the box relative to
the heat loss area of the box, the higher the cooking

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Natural Building Colloquium Page 3 of 5

temperatures will be. Given two boxes that have solar collection
areas of equal size and proportion, the one that is of less depth
willbe hotter because it has less heat loss area.
@
Solar Box Cooker Proportion. A solar box cooker facing the noon
sun should be longer in the east/west dimension to make better
use of the reflector over a cooking period of several hours. As the
sun travels across the sky, this configuration results in a more
consistent cooking temperature. With square cookers or ones
having the longest dimension north/south, a greater percentage
of the early morning and late afternoon sunlight is reflected from
the reflector to the ground, missing the box collection area.

Reflector. One or more reflectors are employed to bounce

additional light into the solar box in order to increase cooking
temperatures. This component is optional in equatorial climates
but increases cooking performance in temperate regions of the
world.

Solar Box Cooker Operation

One of the beauties of solar box cookers is their ease of

operation. For midday cooking at 20 N - 20 S latitude, solar box
cookers with no reflector need little repositioning to face the sun
as it moves across the midday sky. The box faces up and the sun
is high in the sky for a good part of the day. Boxes with reflectors
can be positioned toward the morning or afternoon sun to do the
cooking at those times of day. Solar box cookers used with
reflectors in the temperate zones do operate at higher
temperatures if the box is repositioned to face the sun every hour
or two. This adjustment of position becomes less necessary as
the east/west dimension of the box increases relative to the
north/south dimension.

Cooking Tips

Most foods can be cooked in a solar cooker. They will cook more
slowly (similar to a crock pot), but will cook just as well. Deep-
'frying does not work well (the oil does not reach a critical
temperature). As with any stove or oven, you should be sure that
the food is cooked through before eating. This is especially true
for meats and eggs.

Hints on Specific Foods:

. Dry cereals, grains - barley, corn, millet, oats, quinoa, rice,
wheat: Start with usual amount of water. Next time adjust to your
taste. Some people heat water and dry cereal/grain in separate
pots before putting together to get the preferred texture.
. Fresh vegetables - add no water. Most green and yellow
vegetables - 1 to 1-1/2 hours. If cooked longer they lose their
nice green color. Try cooking corn on the cob with husks in a
clean black sock. Beans (dried) - 3 to 5 hours. Add usual
amount of water. Presoaking shortens cooking time. Some types
of beans, especially in large quantity, may take two days. Most
root vegetables - 3 hours.
.Eggs: Cook in shells without water 1-2 hours. With longer
cooking whites may turn brownish, but flavor is fine.
.Meats: Add no water. The longer they cook, the more tender
they become.
. Pastas: Heat water in one pot and dry pasta with a bit of

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Natural Building Colloquium Page 4 of 5

cooking oil in another pot. Heat both until water is near boiling.
Add hot pasta to hot water, stir, and cook about 10 minutes more.
. Baking: is best done in the middle of the day (between 10 am
~
and 2 pm). Cookies don't need a cover. Bake bottom crusts (pies,
pizzas) alone and heat fillings separately, adding just before
eating.
. Water, milk- pasteurization: 1 litertakes about 1 hour (4
liters/1 gallon about 4 hours). With a WAPI (water pasteurization
indicator) there's no guesswork.
. Sauces/gravies (made with flour or starch): Heat juices and
flour separately, with or without a bit of cooking oil in the flour.
Then combine and stir. It will be ready quickly.
. Roasting nuts: Bake uncovered. Almonds- 1 hour, peanuts
(groundnuts) - 2 hours.

Suggestions for Making your Design Hotter

To make your cooker hotter you can (1) increase the amount of
energy reaching the food, and (2) reduce the amount of heat
energy lost.

Add reflectors. Additional reflective surfaces around the cooker

can increase the amount of solar energy reaching the food.

Adjust orientation. Keep the cooker oriented toward the sun.

Rotating most cookers every two hours is good enough for
normal cooking. An orientation guide can help (such as the
shadow produced by a nail placed at the front of the cooker).

Insulate. Insulation helps reduce heat loss. This is most important

for partly-cloudy days when the food willcontinue to cook without
sun ifthe cooker is well-insulated. Well-insulated box cookers can
even continue cooking at night: simply place a pillow on top of the
window. In the panel cooker design, the insulation is the layer of
air between the plastic bag and the pot or jar.

Suggestions for Making your Design Cheaper

To make your cooker more cheaply, you can (1) use recycled
materials, (2) use cheaper materials, and (3) keep it simple. Many
designs can be made completely from recycled materials.

Panels and walls: cardboard boxes, wood scraps from

construction sites, discarded containers (5 to 50 gallon drums).

Windows:glass and oven bags are best; clear plastic bags, food
wraps (Saran) and soda bottles can also be used if the plastic will
not come into contact with the pot or jar.

Reflectors: foil liners from some cracker, cookie and breakfast

cereal boxes, interior of Pringles cans and juice boxes.

Insulation:crumpled newspaper or scrap paper, dry leaves, air

space between window and food.

Glue: white (school or carpenters) glue or flour paste (mix 1/4 cup
white flour with 1/2 qup cool water; pour into 1 cup boiling water
and stir until thick).

Mark Aalff, Solar Box Cookers Northwest

httD://www .networkearth .org/naturalbuil din g/cookers.html 817/2006

Natural Building Colloquium Page 5 of 5

523 18th Avenue East, Seattle WA 98112

ph 206-328-0832
@
Solar Cookers on the World Wide Web: Solar Cooking Archive -
http://solarcooking.org/

Most of the information presented here was provided by Solar

Cookers International (SCI), Ita nonprofit organization spreading
solar cooking to benefit people and environments worldwide."
SCI has a wide variety of educational materials (including
teachers' guides, cookbooks and cooker plans and kits) available
in English, Spanish and French. The organization is run almost
entirely by volunteers and materials are provided at cost. To
order materials or learn more about SCI, contact:
Solar Cookers International
1724 11thSt., Sacramento CA 95814
ph 916-444-6616, fax 916-444-5379
sbci@ igc.apc.srg

A profusely-illustrated and much larger printed version of this

publication, with sample plans and construction tips, is available
from EI Paso Solar Energy Association; PO Box 26384, EI Paso
TX 79926; www.epsea.org

100%of the proceeds from NetWorks projects goes into the

realization of our projects. For this reason we request that
our copyrights be faithfully observed.

email us

RJ, S
to the Net \1)JOr!i.:,;home [.i:;;gf!

di:
MJE~ko
INTERMEDIATE
ACTIVITY: Solar Cooking @
GOAL: To build a solar hot dog cooker and test its ability to function.

MATERIALS PER STUDENT:

0 1 Pringles Potato Chip Can 0 1 PieceofTransparencyFilm(8" x 4")

0 1 Scissorsor Exacto Knife 0 1 Hot Dog
0 1 Wooden Skewer (14 ") 0 Tape
PREPARATION:

1. Prepare a set of materials listed above for each student.

2. Make a copy of these instructions for each student.

STUDENTPROCEDURE:

1. Radiant energy from the sun can be reflected and concentrated on an object. Much of the radiant energy
absorbed by an object is converted into thermal energy (heat). Radiant energy can pass through clear materials
much more easily than thermal energy.
2. Cut the Pringles can as shown in Diagram 1. Bend back the flaps but do not remove from the can. They willbe
used to reflect radiant energy onto the hot dog.
3. Cover the opening on the inside of the can with the transparency film and tape the film into place.
4. Make small holes in the metal end of the can and in the plastic lid. Remove the plastic lid from the can.
5. Put a hot dog onto the skewer, slide the skewer into the can, and place the end of the skewer through the hole in
the metal end. Put the plastic lid back on the can, fitting the other end of the skewer through the hole. The hot
dog should be suspended in the can as shown in Diagram 2.
6. Place the Solar Hot Dog Cooker into direct sunlight. positioning the flaps so that they will reflect radiant energy
onto the hot dog. Remember that the angle of incidence of light equals the angle of reflection.
7. Time how long it takes for your hot dog to cook. If it is a very cold day, consider how you might insulate your
cooker to improve energy efficiency.
8. Willyour cooker work in artificiallight? Experiment with a powerful artificiallight such as an overhead projector.

Di~aram 1 Di~uram 2

Energy Exchange - Noy 2001 The NEED Project PO Box 10101 Manassas, VA 20108 1-800-875-5029
 @
Watts On Your Mind?
Solar energy educational activities for schools

Make Solar Cookers

Activity Overview
Grade Level: 3-5
Activity: UE-5 Materials
General Description
Parabolic Cooker
Students will construct two models of .Clear plastic tennis ball can
solar cookers that will cook a hot dog .Wire clothes hanger
or smores: a parabolic solar collector
and a pizza box solar cooker. While
.Aluminum foil
they cook the hot dog, they will watch .Oven thermometer
the collectors to see how it focuses sun Pizza Box Cooker
on the food. The teacher will discuss
each collector and what the energy
. One pizza box
they collect does (i.e. heat water,
. Black construction paper
produce electricity). . Aluminum foil
. Scissors, or X-acto knife
Learning Outcome
Students will learn that solar collectors
. Heavy-weight clear plastic laminate (plastic
wrap or oven bags)
have different shapes. Different
shaped collectors gather energy for . Double-sided tape
different uses. . Oven thermometer
Subjects
Science, home economics
Method 1 - Parabolic Solar Cooker
Setting Up the Experiment:
Process Skills
Hands-on manipulation, teamwork, 1. Poke a small hole in the center of the tennis ball
verbal communication, following
directions
can lid, and make another small hole in the
center of the base of the can.
Duration 2. Place a small sheet of aluminum foil inside the
1 hour can so it covers about 3/4 of the inside ofthe
can and leaves a long window about 2 inches
Key Vocabulary wide along the length of the can. Tape the foil in
Parabolic collector, place with double-sided tape.
3. Straighten out the coat hanger, put one end
Curriculum Standards
through the hole in the bottom of the can.
Texas (TEKS):
112.6.a.2,112.7.b.5.8, 4. Put the hot dog or marshmallow on the coat
112.6.b.4.11 hanger.
Louisiana (LSCS): 5. Pull the coat hanger through the hole in the lid
PS-E-C6, PS-E-C7, PS-M-C2, of the can and replace the lid. (You might need
PS-M-C3
to tape the lid down.)
Arkansas (ASCF): 6. Refer to the illustration.
3.1.4
National
-. -(AAAS Project 2016):

Page 1 Make Solar Cookers UE-5

Created by CSGSeIVIcesfor Watts on Schools. To learn more log on to www.wattsonschQQI:U;Qm.

 @
Watts On Your Mind?
Solar energy educational activities for schools

Parabolic Solar Cooker

Doing the Experiment:

1. Place the solarcookerso the mirroredtroughfaces the sun.
2. Adjustthe trough up and downuntil the mirroredsurface focuses sun on the hot dog.
3. Cookthe hot dog or marshmallow.
4. Recordtemperatureand comparewith pizzabox solar cooker

Method 2 - Pizza Box Solar Oven

1. Line the bottom of the pizza box with black construction paper and tape it down.
2. On the top cover of the pizza box draw a square 1" from all the sides.
3. Cut along three of the lines but leave the fourth line near the box's hinge uncut. Carefully
fold open the flap.
4. Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the flap, smooth wrinkles, and secure the foil to
the flap with double-sided tape.
5. Tightly stretch or lay your plastic or oven bag over the hole on the inside of the top of the
box. Smooth the plastic and secure it around the sides with tape so no air can escape
6. Use tape to prop open the flap and allow aluminum lining to reflect the maximum amount
of sunlight into the oven.

Cover with foil

plastic wrap or
oven bag to cover,
black paper inside

Pizza Box Solar Cooker

Page 2 Make Solar Cookers UE-5

Created by CSGSelVicesfor Watts on Schools. To learn morelog on to wwwcwa.ttsonschools.com.
 @
Watts On Your Mind?
Solar energy educational activities for schools

Background Information
Parabolic Solar Cooker. A parabolic collector is made up of a trough and a tube running down
the center of the trough. The trough is a long, rectangular mirror formed in a U-shape. The
mirror is tilted toward the sun to focus sunlight on the tube. The shape focuses the sunlight on
the tube. The tube carries the fluid to be heated. A tracking device keeps the mirrors pointed
toward the sun as it moves across the sky. Parabolic collectors are used mostly to provide hot
water for use in industry and sometimes in homes. They are also used to produce electricity.

Pizza Box Solar Cooker. This solar oven is adapted from a design created in 1976 by Barbara
Kerr. The construction enables the user to cook anything that can be prepared on a conventional
oven or stovetop and eliminates the need for stirring or basting. For a manageable project in the
classroom you might try s'mores (graham crackers with melted marshmallows and chocolate) or
English muffin pizzas.

The oven can reach temperatures of275 degrees, hot enough to cook food and kill germs in
water. A general rule for cooking in a solar oven is to get the food in early and don't worry about
overcooking. Solar cookers can be used six months of the year in northern climates and year-
round in tropical locations. Expect cooking time to take about twice as long as conventional
methods and allow about half an hour to preheat.

Assessments

Students observe differences in the cooker design and how it can affect the temperature and
cooking time of the hotdog. Students will also observe how positioning the cooker so it receives
different amounts of sunlight can affect the temperature and cooking time.

Questions

1. How longdid it take to cook the hot dog?

2. Did you haveto movethe cooker to keep the sunfocusedon the hot dog?
 @
SOLARENERGY FOR THE CLASSROOM
:>iercc
Provided by Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
&] .
Cedar Creel~
nstiiute
["".,."J"""",I"I","'i....
www.cedarcreekinstitute.org

Activity Overview Cooking Our Food With Solar

Grade Level: 6-8
Energy
General Description
For this activity, students will construct a
model of a solar collector that will cook a hot Background
dog.
Radiant energy from the sun can be reflected and
Learning Outcome concentrated on an object. Much ofthe radiant energy
Students will gain an understanding on how
absorbed by an object is converted into thermal energy (heat).
radiant energy (sunlight) converted to
thermal energy (heat) can be used practically
Radiant energy can pass through clear materials much more
to cook food. easily than thermal energy.

Science Content Standards Materials

Content Area: Constructing New Scientific
Knowledge (q 1.1.1
Standard: All students will generate scientific
}> 1 Pringles potato chip can per student work group
questions about the world based on
}> 1 pair of scissors or Exacto knife per student work group
observation. }> 1 wooden skewer (14") per student work group*
}> 1 piece of transparency film (8" X 4") per student work
Content Area: Constructing New Scientific
group
Knowledge (q 1.1.2
Standard: All students will design and }> 1 hot dog per student work group
conduct scientific investigations. ~ tape

Content Area: Constructing New Sci"ntific

Methods
Knowledge (q 1.1.6
Standard: All students will write and follow
procedures in the form of step-by-step 1. Have students cut the Pringles can as shown in Diagram
instructions, formulas, flow diagrams, and
sketches.
1. Bend back the flaps but do not remove from the can.
The flaps will be used to reflect radiant energy onto the
Content Area: Changes in Matter (PCM) hot dog.
IV,2A 2. Cover the opening on the inside of the can with the
Standard: All students will describe common
transparency film and tape the film into place.
energy transformations in every day 3, Make small holes in the metal end of the can and in the
situations.
plastic lid. Remove the plastic lid from the can.
Content Area: Waves and Vibrations (PWV) 4. Put a hot dog onto the skewer, slide the skewer into the
IVAA
can, and place the end of the skewer through the hole in
Standard: All students will describe ways in
which light interacts with matter.
the metal end. Put the plastic lid back on the can, fitting
the other end of the skewer through the hole. The hot
dog should be suspended in the can as shown in Diagram
2.

Page I Cooking Our Food with Solar Energy Activity 4b

/
@
SOLAR ENERGY FOR THE CLASSROOM

Methods (cont'd.)

5. Place the solar hot dog cooker into direct sunlight, positioning the flaps so that they will reflect
radiant energy onto the hot dog. Remember that the angle of incidence of light equals the angle
of reflection.
6. Time how long it takes for your hot dog to cook.. Note: Students may need to move the cooker
to keep the sun focused on the hot dog.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

Discussion! Assessment

~ If it were a cold day, consider how you might insulate your cooker to improve energy efficiency.
~ Discuss whether the cookers would work in artificial light. Experiment with a powerful artificial
light such as an overhead projector.

Source: This activity was adapted from an activity found in The NEED Project (Energy Exchange - Noy
2001 ).
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Use the heat of the sun to cook.

This project is for older students or for younger students with adult supervision.

A reflective hot dog cooker can be built from a cardboard box, tin foil, and posterboard. Sunlight hitsthe
reflective surface and focuses on the hot dog held in the center. Students can work in pairs or individual!:
there are enough materials.

What do you need?

1. A cardboard box
2. tin foil
3. posterboard

What 10 do?

1 Select a long narrow box; the longer the box

the more heat collection is possible. Choose a
focal length between 5" and 10" and design a
parabolic curve as seen in the picture. One
template could be used for all the cookers. Trace
the curve on the open end of the box so that it is
centered and straight.

2 Cut out the curve with a utility knife. Stress the

importance of being exact Measure and cut a
piece of posterboard that will fix flush against the
opening to the box. Attach this with tape beginning
at the center and working toward to edges.

3 Cover the curve with white glue and apply

aluminum foil shiny side out. Start in the middle
and smooth toward the edges. Try not to wrinkle or
fold the foil; you want it as smooth as possible.

4 Use two scraps of cardboard taped to each

side as supports. Using the sun or a projector light,
test the focal point There should be a biight spot
where light is concentrated; mark this spot and
punch a hole for the skewer. Use a section of a
coat hanger from which the paint has been
removed for a skewer.
-
.:J Enjoy your hot dog I

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Hot Enough to Fry an Egg

You can also use the heat of the sun on a sidewalk or on black asphalt.

Take three eggs, two black/cast iron fryingpans, and one piece of thick glass to cover one of the frying !=

p~~tone egg d:;ed!y Gt;the side...:a!k aiie i:; the :::2;:;,::itha~t the glass GGve; a:;d G:;e i:; the pa;; '.':iththe
cover. Which one do you think will fry the quickest. Make sure you c~eanup afterwards!

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