10 ms·

I recall articles in kids' magazines in the mid-80's about how to build solar cookers. Apparently, they are already in widespread use today, with many differen

by jcl 18y ago

I recall articles in kids' magazines in the mid-80's about how to build solar cookers. Apparently, they are already in widespread use today, with many different designs: http://solarcooking.org/plans/ http://solarcooking.org/plans/ Does anyone know what makes this new design special?

jrockway 18y ago
The ones you link to look significantly more difficult to build. This one is two boxes and a piece of plastic (from what I understand). I guess this is neat, because I remember building a similar device when I was a kid, but it couldn't boil water or do any useful cooking. It was sort of able to warm up a hot dog...
- whacked_new 18y ago
  > The ones you link to look significantly more difficult to build. This one is two boxes and a piece of plastic (from what I understand). Seems to be the case, and looks like a significant difference. There's also a plexiglass cover, which likely helps insulate the heat inside. Simple yet ingenious, like the hipporoller ( http://www.hipporoller.org/ http://www.hipporoller.org/ ). Absolutely fantastic. For a more high-end design you can attach a heat sensor and make it electric-hybrid. Or gas-hybrid... or crankshaft-hybrid!!
- jcl 18y ago
  You mean, like the first box cooker on the page?: http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Minimum_Solar_Box_Cooker http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Minimum_Solar_Box_Cooker Like the cooker in the article, it is a foil-lined cardboard box, with a black-painted cardboard box inside. And it recommends a plastic bag instead of a plexiglass cover, so it might be considered even more basic than the one in the article.
jcromartie 18y ago
Most "solar cookers" try to focus sunlight directly on the object to be heated. This new design is almost exactly like a traditional oven in that the main goal is to heat air, and not the food directly.

by jcl 18y ago

jrockway 18y ago

The ones you link to look significantly more difficult to build. This one is two boxes and a piece of plastic (from what I understand). I guess this is neat, because I remember building a similar device when I was a kid, but it couldn't boil water or do any useful cooking. It was sort of able to warm up a hot dog...

whacked_new 18y ago
> The ones you link to look significantly more difficult to build. This one is two boxes and a piece of plastic (from what I understand). Seems to be the case, and looks like a significant difference. There's also a plexiglass cover, which likely helps insulate the heat inside. Simple yet ingenious, like the hipporoller ( http://www.hipporoller.org/ http://www.hipporoller.org/ ). Absolutely fantastic. For a more high-end design you can attach a heat sensor and make it electric-hybrid. Or gas-hybrid... or crankshaft-hybrid!!
jcl 18y ago
You mean, like the first box cooker on the page?: http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Minimum_Solar_Box_Cooker http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Minimum_Solar_Box_Cooker Like the cooker in the article, it is a foil-lined cardboard box, with a black-painted cardboard box inside. And it recommends a plastic bag instead of a plexiglass cover, so it might be considered even more basic than the one in the article.

jcromartie 18y ago

Most "solar cookers" try to focus sunlight directly on the object to be heated. This new design is almost exactly like a traditional oven in that the main goal is to heat air, and not the food directly.