Make a Solar Oven

Harness the power of the sun to bake some delicious summer treats with this solar oven science experiment.

WARNING: You must have the permission and supervision of a caregiver for this activity.

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What you need:

  • Cardboard box (recycle a pizza or cereal box)

  • Box knife and/or scissors

  • Aluminum foil

  • Clear and/or masking tape

  • Plastic wrap

  • Black construction paper

  • Newspaper

  • Ruler

  • Pen

  • Thermometer (optional)

  • An adult to help with cutting and supervise cooking

What to do:

  1. If you have a box with a lid you can skip this step but if you are using a cereal box or something like it then seal the open end with tape.
    An adult can then cut around the edges of the box with a craft knife to create a lid for the box.

  2. Draw a square on top of the lid with a frame about the thickness of your ruler. An adult can help you to cut out three of the sides to create a flap.

  3. Cover the inner side of the flap with aluminum foil by tightly wrapping foil around the flap and taping it to the back of the flap.

  4. Open the lid of the box and tape two sheets of clear plastic wrap over the window you have made, make sure it is airtight and sealed well.

  5. Line the bottom of the box with black construction paper and then roll up sheets of newspaper and press them into the edges of the box for added insulation. TA DA! Your Solar oven is complete!

Cook with a Solar Oven

  • The best time to cook with your solar oven is when the sun is at it’s hottest at about 11am-3pm.

  • Find the sunniest spot to sit your oven in and then prop open the flap using your ruler or a stick. Adjust the flap until the sun reflects off of the aluminium foil and onto the plastic window. You could angle the box itself if it helps.

  • Put your food on a clear dish and put your food in your solar oven. You can seal the lid with masking tape to help to trap the air inside.

  • Cook your food for about 40 minutes or until it’s ready. It will take longer for things to cook in your solar oven than it would in a normal oven so be patient.

  • To take your food out of the oven, open the lid of the box and remove the food carefully using oven gloves or mitts.

What we learnt:

  • The tin foil reflects the rays of sunlight into the box through the plastic window.

  • The black paper absorbs the heat and the newspaper insulator makes sure no heat escapes the box.

  • The sunlight heats up the air that is trapped inside the box and cooks your food!

Get ScientificWendy Schollum