How to Turn a Pizza Box into a Solar Oven.
Save that last slice of pizza!
You can reheat it in its own container, using
the sun's power.
You will need A large pizza box A ruler A
black marker A box cutter or utility knife
Heavy-duty aluminum foil All-purpose glue
Scissors Clear plastic wrap Tape Black construction
paper A stick or a hard-plastic straw and
a laser pointer.
Step 1.
Using the ruler and black marker, draw a square
on your pizza-box lid, leaving a 1-inch border
from the edge of the box to each side of the
square.
Step 2.
With the box cutter or utility knife, cut
through three sides of the square you just
drew, leaving the line at the rear of the
box attached.
Fold the flap back so that it stands up when
the pizza-box lid is closed.
Step 3.
Cover the underside of the flap with heavy-duty
aluminum foil, which will reflect sunlight
into the oven.
Glue the foil to the flap, smooth out wrinkles,
and cut off any excess.
Step 4.
With the scissors, cut two square pieces of
clear plastic wrap, each 1 square inch larger
than the flap opening.
Open the pizza box, and tape one piece of
plastic to the underside of the hole so that
the plastic covers it.
Step 5.
Close the lid, and tape the second plastic
sheet over the top of the hole, creating a
window that helps keep the sun’s heat in
the box.
Pull both sheets taut as you tape them.
Maintaining an airtight box is crucial in
keeping the oven hot.
Step 6.
Glue or tape a layer of aluminum foil to the
inside bottom of your pizza box for insulation.
Step 7.
Cover the foil layer in the box with sheets
of black construction paper and glue them
into place.
The black base will absorb light and generate
more heat inside your oven.
Step 8.
Close the lid, and you’re ready to start
cooking!
On a bright day, place your solar oven outside
in direct sunlight.
Adjust the foil flap to find the best ray-reflecting
angle, and use the ruler, a stick, or a hard-plastic
straw to keep the flap propped in place.
If you want to test the reflective angles
of your oven before you head outside, shine
a laser pointer onto the foil flap to simulate
rays of sunlight.
Step 9.
Preheat your oven by leaving it in direct
sunlight for 30 minutes.
The box’s temperature will reach about 200
degrees, so while you won’t be able to cook
a roast, you can reheat cooked food, melt
cheese or chocolate, or—if you have all
day—prepare a veggie stew.
Step 10.
Whatever you decide to cook, place it—on
its own, or in a heat-safe container—in
the center of the oven, so that it is directly
under the plastic-wrap window.
Close the lid, leaving the flap propped open,
and check on your food every 15 to 30 minutes.
Did you know Earth receives more energy from
the sun in one hour than our entire planet
uses in a year.
