Making A Solar Oven

There are many great reasons. Why would making a Solar Oven come in handy? You could be going camping. Could just be for FUN! You could have run out of charcoal or propane! You could be interested in learning how to use the Sun’s energy. This is a Greenhouse Method of Cooking. It does not put extra Gasses in our Atmosphere. You could just be hungry! You only need to be patient. You have to be willing to face the oven toward the sun. Your reward will be a hot Yummy S’more

How the Solar Oven Works!

Solar Oven

The heat from the Suns Energy. Is changing the Sun’s Energy into heat that is going into the Solar Oven. Basically, The Sun’s reflection is changing its light into a heat source. The aluminium foil is like a mirror. The shininess in the foil gives the reflection. This allows the sun’s light to turn into heat the inside of the oven. The energy of the Sun is drawn into the material. You want the material! You are using it to absorb the heat. You definitely do not want it to reflect heat.

This is why the inside of the oven. It is covered with black construction paper. This way it can absorb the light. Being able to heat up the Solar Oven. You want the oven to be airtight. This way the air inside heats up. Then it is able to stay hot on the inside. This is why you use the plastic wrap. It is to make sure the oven is airtight. This is what helps make the oven heat up. You do not want to let the heat escape. There is also insulation in this oven. I used a newspaper around the edges of the Solar Oven for that. 

Solar Oven

Materials Used

  • Cardboard Pizza Box
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Box Cutter or Scissors
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Clear Type of Tape or Glue
  • Black Construction Paper
  • Plastic Wrap or Large, Transparent Plastic Bag
  • Newspapers
  • Oven Mitt
  • Dish or Pie Plate
  • Cooking Ingredients, like those for some mores  or nachos
  • *(don’t use your oven to prepare raw meat)*

Procedure 

  1. You need to clean any stray bits of cheese, sauce or crumbs out of your pizza box. You could do what I did. Go to a Pizza Rea and get a Pizza box for free.
  2. While Using the ruler and pencil, draw a square one inch in from the edges of the top of the box .
  3. Then use the box cutter or knife to cut out three of the four sides of the square. Make sure it is only 3 sides!
  4. Then make a crease along the uncut side of the square. This will create a flap. That you can stand up.
  5. You need to cut a piece of aluminum foil large enough to cover the inside of the cardboard flap.
  6. Then wrap the foil tightly securely with tape or glue.
    1. What purpose does the foil serve?
      1. The purpose of the foil is to reflect the sun’s light and turn it into heat. Like how a mirror reflects your image.
  7. You line the bottom of the pizza box with black construction paper.
    1. What purpose does the black paper serve?
      1. Black Paper is to attract the light. That turns into the heat that stays in the oven. This is what makes the oven heats up.
    2. Would white paper work as well? 
      1. No it would not.
      1. Why or why not?
        1. It would not be! Because white is a reflective color. Not an absorbing color. 
  8. Roll up some newspaper pages into tubes to stuff into the sides of the box.  Make sure you are still able to close the lid of the pizza box.  Remember—what purpose does the newspaper serve?
    1. The purpose of the newspaper is for insulation of the oven to help keep the oven warm. 
  9. Cut two pieces of plastic wrap that are the same size as the top of the pizza box. You could also use Saran Wrap! Like I did. Then you cut along the 3 sides up already cut for the flap. Glue your pan to the inside. making sure the saran wrap is still tight.
  10. Use tape to secure the plastic wrap to the inside edges of the square window you cut into the box. You are creating an airtight window.  Why do you want to make your oven airtight?
    1. You want to make your oven airtight so the heat stays in your oven.
  11. Now it is time to cook something! The best time to use your oven is between 11 AM and 2 PM. Make sure to set the food on a dish so you don’t mess up the interior of your oven.
  12. One food option is a solar S’more. Place one or two marshmallows on top of a graham cracker.  Put two to three squares of chocolate on top of the marshmallow.  Wait until it’s done cooking to top it with the second graham cracker.  Any idea why it might be smart to have the chocolate on top?
    1. Chocolate on the top. It is due to the chocolate being a dark color. Attracting heat and keeping the heat in your oven. Not reflecting it away.
  13. You could also make nachos by placing grated cheese on top of tortilla chips. You could also Heat up left overs or just soup..

Results 

On a Warm Sunny Day, your Solar Oven could reach temperatures of around 200 Degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you are wearing Oven Mitts! Also, Make Sure you have Adult Supper Vision. You will notice that food takes longer to cook in a Solar Oven than a regular one.

Project done by 

My GrandDaughter with Tracey Freed “Grandma’s” Supervision

There are so many different things about this Page. It could go into Education! Look at it technically it is a Science Thing by being a Science Fair Project! This is a Great Recipe for Cooking, Food And Wine section! This is also a Great Arts and Crafts. It is very creative! You can Do this project with all School Age Kids! Plus with guidance they can even make their own S’Mores!

7th Grade Science Fair

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I found this Information on This Educational Site!

Author: Tracey

Posted On: January 3, 2026 @ 1:34 pm