As part of the how to build a solar cooker series, here are some easy to follow instructions showing you how to build a pizza box solar cooker. These instructions were used for a children’s solar club in Birmingham, UK last year.
FREE download of instructions for building a pizza box solar cooker and Cone solar cooker when you subscribe. (Please drop me an email requesting building plans).
What You’ll Need
- Recycled pizza box - Black construction paper
- Aluminium foil & insulation - Clear plastic sheets
- Non-toxic glue, tape, scissors, ruler, paint, marker
- Food (pizza, chocolate brownies, hot dogs, marsh mellows) 
How to Make Your Pizza Box Oven
Mark a 3cm border on all four sides of the top of the pizza box. Cut along three sides leaving the line along the back of the box uncut. (Diagram #1)
Instructions
Create a flap by gently folding back along the uncut line to form a crease. (Diagram #2)
Tape the aluminium foil to the inside bottom of the flap, shiny side out. Smooth out any wrinkles and glue into place. Important- Ensure the flap has a mirror-like finish.
Measure a piece of plastic to fit over the opening you created. Tape the plastic sheet to the inside of the box. Tape one side first, then the other side. Make the seal airtight.
Line the bottom and sides of the pizza box with aluminium foil, carefully glue into place. Insulation could also be used (straw, paper, or wool) to help retain heat in the box whilst cooking. Cover the aluminium foil with a piece of black construction paper and tape into place, (Diagram #3). Wedge the flap open with a stick, or use string. Now point the box towards the sun, ensuring the open panel reflects the Sun into the box. (Diagram #4).
Voilà, your oven is now ready! Happy cooking, why not try pizzas, hot dogs, chocolate brownies, or even try baking cookies and biscuits. Test how hot your oven gets using a simple oven thermometer! (Please allow 1 – 1½ hours for oven to warm up).
Suggestions
- Try using more than one reflective panel. Use 4 panels instead of one. See Figure 3 in post - Build a simple solar cooker.
- Use plenty of insulation. Most solar cookers lose their power through heat loss.
- Ensure box is airtight. Use strong tape in abundance. Encapsulate box in a carrier bag.
- Check out; How to build a parabolic solar cooker, How to build a Bamboo Solar Cooker for less than $1, How to Make a Cone Solar Cooker, Build a simple solar cooker.
REMEMBER - NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY AND ALWAYS WEAR SUNGLASSES AND OVEN GLOVES WHEN HANDLING YOUR OVEN AND FOOD.
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Tags: build | how to | pizza box solar cooker | Solar Cooking
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4 Responses to “How to build a Pizza Box Solar Cooker”
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August 3rd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Awesome
this would be excellent if your on the run from zombies and need to harness natural energy for food cooking. I currently have an alcohol portable stove for Z-Day.
Zombie Money’s last blog post..Coupon for Free 46 oz. Bottle of V-8 Fusion ~ First 10,000!!!!
August 4th, 2008 at 2:51 am
That’s pretty darned neat! Sounds like a science experiment for kids. Heh. I’ll get my middle-schooler to take a look at it, anyway.
Ethan Nobles’s last blog post..Pants on fire!
August 5th, 2008 at 1:43 am
What a great idea, i am gonna give this URL to our youth group and see if they would be interested in making one or more of these.
They are a great bunch of kids and they will probably love this!
Thanks for sharing!
K. Fields’s last blog post..Arcticulates: Grizzly Situation!
August 5th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
@Zombie
lol Z-day, I like it.
Using any device which doesn’t require conventional fuel sources has to be a good thing. Learning to make a fire is one essential skill in readiness for z-day, 2012. I wonder how many people can actually make a fire?
@Ethan
Fantastic stuff, please let us know how you get on. Let me know if you need ant materials or info. I would be only too happy to help.
Check out http://tinyurl.com/6hdhar for a viable material for solar cookers.
@K. Fields
Please let me know if I can help you in any way, I would be only too happy to help get your youth group get involved with the wonderful world of solar cooking. See above url for suggested materials which you could use to build some solar cookers. I offer any length of material
“Thanks for sharing! :-)” - The pleasure was all mine.