Anyone have a solar cooker?

**Jaded** · 09-02-2007, 11:15 AM

They seem to be so easy to make, from the plans I've seen online. Just wondering if anyone has built one or bought one, and what they think. I think that it would be difficult down here, somewhat, because of the bugs, but if I could find a way to build on that was sealed pretty tight, it might work.

I'd love to have one to save electicity.

**Odilia** · 09-02-2007, 01:27 PM

I build one almost every spring from cardboard boxes. I make a feeble attempt to store it each winter, but by the time spring rolls around, the boxes have gotten beat up, so I start over. I have intentions of building a permanent solar cooker of wood and metal, but it's pretty far down on the list.

I do love using a solar cooker! I can reliably get temps of 275-300F, and I've gotten temps as high as 375F. I have only mixed results trying to bake, but I have wonderful results using it as a slow cooker!

**Persimmon Lace** · 09-02-2007, 06:10 PM

I am using one made from the aluminum foil sunshades for the house. It really does a good job. I would love to have a solar box cooker again only this time made out of wood!

**sunshine** · 09-03-2007, 10:24 AM

I have several -- cardboard box one, foil window shade one, straw bale one. They all cook pretty much like a slow cooker -- and we love them.

I put my pots in an oven bag, seal it -- that keeps the bugs out for the most part.

**ladykemma2** · 09-03-2007, 01:18 PM

i have one. before i started working full time plus, i used it everyday. Now I don't use it at all.

i discovered that i really needed 2. one for the main course, one for the veg/bread/other.

i never had a problem with bugs.

**Jaded** · 09-03-2007, 11:23 PM

This is so encouraging! I'm gonna get to work making a cardboard one, although I'll have to figure out how to move it in and out, because it rains a lot down here in the summer. I'm thinking it would be best to use the cardboard one in the dry season, and get a sturdier one for summer. I saw a couple of metal ones online, but it seems like they were made of steel, and the humidity would rust them. I did see plans for one made from aluminum cookie sheets, but do you know how expensive those things are?????

I'm gonna look at see what kind of sheet aluminum I can find somewhere and see if it might be worth it to build one from that. I'll try to cardboard one first, though.

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-04-2007, 07:39 AM

intersted, now I want make one

**3-boys-4-me** · 09-05-2007, 03:02 PM

We have one down at our camper. It was purchased, but not by us, it was given to use by another camper who felt it was too much of a hassle to use. I enjoy it and find it rather fun to use.

**ladykemma2** · 09-08-2007, 07:47 AM

wear good polycarbonate sunglasses when you go out to the cooker. prevent cataracts from the blinding reflected intense sun.

if i were to start this again i would actually put the cooker on a "lazy susan" so i could turn it around to check the food.

**momof42003** · 09-16-2007, 05:55 AM

My daughters 8th grade science class is making several.. Unfortunately she is not one of the ones bring it home.. It seems that her teacher is doing a little more complicated one, using plaster and plaster tape, and I'm not sure what else.. It would be neat to see the finished product though...

**druidessemily** · 09-16-2007, 08:49 PM

A friend of ours made one, and swears by his. He put it on a dolly so it is easy to move it around during the day, without disturbing the food.

**lilk** · 09-16-2007, 09:41 PM

The boys and I were going to make one over the summer, but never got around to it. I would love to make one of these, incase of a power outage. Can you get the temps. up in the winter?
Does anyone have any good recipes to share?

**Odilia** · 09-17-2007, 01:18 AM

If I have a sunny winter day with no (or little) wind, I can use the solar cooker then. I generally don't bother, though.

I use crockpot recipes with great success in the solar cooker.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 09-17-2007, 11:23 PM

Go to the thrift store for cookie sheets. I have seen them for as little as a dime!

**Little Birdie** · 09-18-2007, 05:47 PM

I have one I bought from Edmunds Scientifics for too much money. This was years ago and I needed it right away. It's a lot of fun.

I would like to make one with Daughter as a fun project sometime. Ooo, maybe with her scout troop!

Lot's of plans here: http://www.solarcooking.org/