Geeky Projects: How to Make a Solar Oven

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Goodbye Easy Bake Oven – Hello Solar Oven

With summer right around the corner and kids home, we will be introducing a series of geeky projects to do with your kids!

Our first geeky project is perfect for those of us in hot climates. We’re in Texas and it gets disgustingly hot here. So what better geeky project to do then to use that heat for good.

Easy Bake Oven, forget about it. Create a Solar Oven! With a solar oven, you can bake cookies or a kid favorite: smores!

Let’s get to it. Here is what you’ll need to make a solar oven.

Make Your Own Solar Oven

Solar Oven Supplies: 

• A large pizza box
• A rule
• A black marker
• Box cutter
• Heavy duty aluminum foil
• Glue
• Scissors
• Clear plastic wrap
• Tape
• Black construction paper

Let’s Get Started!

Using the ruler and black marker, draw a square on your pizza box lid  leaving a 1 inch border on each side of the pizza box.

Using the box cutter cut out, cut 3 sides of the square you just drew, leaving the line at the rear of the box attached.

Fold the flap back so it stands up when the pizza box lid is attached.

Using the glue as an adhesive, cover the underside of the flap with heavy duty aluminum foil. Smooth out wrinkles and cut off any excess.

With the scissors cut 2 squares of plastic wrap, both bigger than the size of the pizza box flap opening.

Tape one of the square over the whole, fastening the plastic wrap to the underside of the pizza box.

Close the lid and take the second plastic sheet and cover the pizza box hold on the other side of the pizza box top. Creating a window to help keep the suns heat in the box.

Pull both sheets taught as you tape them.

TIP: Make sure the plastic is tight to the edges to maintain an airtight seal.

Glue or tape a layer of aluminum foil to the inside of the pizza box for insulation.

Cover the foil layer in the box with sheets of black construction paper and glue them into place.

Close your lid and you are ready to start cooking!

Adjust the foil flap to find the best ray reflecting angle. Use the ruler, a straw or stick to keep the flap strapped into place.

Tip: You can use the laser pointer to test the angles of the sun for your oven before taking it outside.

Get Baking in the Sun!

Preheat your oven by leaving outside for 30 minutes.

Get ready to bake cookies, smores or reheat a slice of pizza. Remember to make sure that all food is thoroughly cooked before eating.

What is Your Favorite Geeky Project To Do With Your Kids?

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