Solar-Powered Cookers: Got Sun?
Sunday, April 5th, 2009Call me crazy, but I’m thinking about building a solar powered oven. It’s been flurrying some snow flakes off and on for days around Mt. Shasta, but my thinking is this: The summer solstice is only 11 weekends away. South of us, the trees have already budded out, fruited and gone to seed. (a slight exaggeration.)
Speaking of South, the economy’s sill headed that way a bit, and our friendly neighborhood Power company (Pacific Power out of Oregon) has decided to follow the lead of our friendly neighborhood banks. What I mean is, they’re raising their rates big time.
That’s no lie, folks. Our little natural food grocery store power bill went up 14%, that’s 400 dollars more a month. Gnarly Bastards!
Solar Power to the People!
The last time I looked, though, sunrays were free, at least to those who could afford to catch some. Call me paranoid, but the government (our government) might install a sun meter next to that other one some day and tax us for usage.
Just to let y’all know where I stand, the signs in my front yard would read Solar Power to the People!
Back to Solar Ovens. I’m thinking they will definitely be more in vogue soon. A pretty cool one costs a couple bucks. Plus it’s the easiest solar powered thingy to make. All you need is a box, aluminum foil, black paper, a stick and plastic wrap for the science project variety.
If you’re aiming for the high-end model, be prepared to shell out a ten spot. I’m told sun-cooked food is well worth the extra. No matter how large you make it, you still only need cardboard, aluminum foil and glass.
I have a great idea for the lazy amongst us: Have a scavenger hunt. Here ’s your list.
- Bottle of Elmer’s™.
- 18″ heavy duty aluminum foil.
- Piece of double strength glass ½” larger than the length and width of the inner box. You can rub the edges of the glass with a rock.
- Little bit of flat black paint.
- One yard of elastic 3/8″ wide
- Baking tin
- Cotton fabric.
- String.
- Boxcutter
- 4 flat pieces of regular cardboard 2′ by 3′ single thickness
- 5 cardboard boxes for insulation
