How to Make a Solar Cooker

Solar cookers are easy to make and simple to use. They are perfect for cooking during power outages and camping...and a fun way to cook while saving energy. In this video Extension Agent Mary Keith shows how easy it is to make a solar cooker from a foam cooler. She also demonstrates making a chicken-rice casserole while giving tips on using a solar cooker. For more information, log onto hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu and search on Solar Cookers.
Produced by Hillsborough County UF/(FAS Extension. Faculty Content Producer, Mary Keith, PhD, LD; Video Producer, Billie Lofland
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[@fuzzyorange3941]

Finally a person that can publicly speak without saying um and like and you know a thousand times...excellent....just excellent.

[@redfonzie21]

Right! How sad is it when an otherwise great presentation is marred by such interruptions! Unfortunately I also have a lot to unlearn and then learn properly. That's why I don't do public speaking. But I absolutely agree with you.

[@freeshrugs63]

I don't usually watch a video this long, but she's got my interest. She's matter-of-fact, doesn't get distracted and appears to be completely unself-conscious. Like someone who's taught for years. Good video. Plus, I'm ready to make my first cut into the styrofoam!

[@dabooser1048]

I agree. The "um" doesn't seem to be a public speaking no no anymore.

[@nomathembazwedala7704]

I agree with you guys. The ums and likes are very irritating. This lady is catching your ears and wants you to listen all over again.

[@eyeswideshut2800]

Get a grip and just say thanks for sharing..😔

[@dropfuture]

Best solar cooker instructional I’ve seen

[@Anne--Marie]

Made a solar cooker from cardboard and foil and it overcooked a burger in 45 minutes in Michigan! These cookers are fabulous! Thank you for the great ideas!

[@jeanettejackson444]

Ms. Mary you are an excellent instructor! The best thing we each can do is educate each other during these times. A village mentality is the only way we will survive these times.

[@MichelleWAperth]

Best diy solar cooker video I have seen. Thanks

[@oracle11iappsdba]

Saying Thank You would be an insult to the dedication and involvement you have put in to share your knowledge. You teach really good.

[@caroljordan2886]

Thank you for this teaching. You remind me of the films I watched in home economics classes. Very informative without needless distractions. Looking forward to more of your videos. Stay safe.💕

[@OverlandOne]

Very informative, thank you.

[@ajammes1]

I have been solar cooking for about 5 years now and do the project with our Explore/science club students each April. They are 6-8 grade so we usually do a shoe box or pizza box. Last year we made the Copenhagen style. The kids loved it. Several came back after summer and told how they used theirs during the summer. Liked your video. Keep spreading the word. Cheap and easy.

[@Jefferdaughter]

Wish we had gotten the chance to do something that cool when we were kids! Thank you for providing this experience to the adults of the future!

[@creinicke1000]

Great skill for kids to learn. Balancing a checkbook and understanding interest on CC vs savings. :-)

[@BethCatt-jq6xi]

You and your kitchen are both beautiful

[@BethCatt-jq6xi]

I love your kitchen it's simple and simple never goes out of style 🤟❤️🙏👍

[@diannawilliams761]

Thankyou so much for teaching me this. It will be so helpful th his summer as it is too hot to cook in the house with no ac. Thankyou also for not talking fast & rushing through excellant!

[@traceykays433]

Great video, great job. I like u didn’t give us ur life story and how the neighbors cat was doing. U got down to business. Thank u so much for sharing ur valuable knowledge.

[@altamont1873]

Just found you and so glad I did! I want to try this now because of how you presented this video so clearly! Thank you again, from Klamath Falls, Oregon!❤❤❤

[@EliAndersonCrowley]

wow what a great soler cooker!!!

[@Tsiri09]

I never thought of using a styrofoam container! What a great design!

[@mariaherradi8732]

Great idea , instead of aluminum foil ill use a car windshine to unsulate .

[@davidroseberry91]

My favorite video on this topic!

[@creinicke1000]

One of the best explanations. BUT.. several great suggestions in comments I wish we could see links where someone tries to DYI with those suggestions. 1 st.. plexiglass vs actual glass?? 2 nd use windshield shade with silver backing? 3 rd.. use of mirrors? To direct reflected sun towards the center of box. I love the Styrofoam box concept. And love the oven bag idea.. I don't think I've ever seen that before.

[@thalitamarostega8354]

She is a great and special teacher! Thanks Mary Keith, i learned a lot of things about solar cookers watching your video

[@Good4All4Good]

Not just "How to Make a Solar Cooker', but "How Solar Cooking Works", and "How to Cook With a Solar Cooker". So helpful!

[@heinrichs5]

Dr. Keith, you are an awesome teacher.

[@susanbreeland8620]

Thank you so very much for educating us all on how to make this solar cooker. I have priced then and found they market for above $300.00.

[@datghettoazn127]

Perfect video! I had a styrofoam cooler that I didn't want to get rid of but wanted to use it for something. Thank you so much for this!

[@melmo02]

This woman is a great instructor. Thank you this is what I exactly needed for my solar cooker experiment. LOVE IT!!!!

[@hillsboroughfl]

Matthew Elmer Glad we could help!!

[@melmo02]

HillsboroughCounty You are the best!!! :)

[@hillsboroughfl]

Matthew Elmer That made our day! Thanks!

[@melmo02]

HillsboroughCounty That is alright, any day!

[@hillsboroughfl]

Matthew Elmer That's the spirit!

[@domingue4god]

This is the best video I have ever seen!!!!! Thank you! You are a wonderful teacher!!!

[@donnamayton359]

Great Teacher.... Love it.

[@rhondagodwin1265]

Thank you, Mary Keith, from Canada! Can't wait to get started. Love your teaching method: clear and easy.

[@shannon3198]

Wow - this was an amazing video! Thanks for all the helpful information. You answered every question I had and now I have no doubt I can make a solar cooker :o)

[@connieelliott5359]

I can't wait to make me a solar cooker! I'm really looking forward to seeing it work once I get it done. I'll be getting it the 1st of the month and I'm really really looking forward to making my first cup of coffee with it too! tysvm for sharing this with everyone.😊 Watched from oHIo 💖🙏🏻

[@HomesteadingTexas]

Great video! You are an awesome instructor.

[@sallysassa]

Mary you are a gem.

[@marknorwood7521]

GREAT instructor👍. Very easy to understand.

[@robertorodriguez5226]

I made a brisket in a solar oven. Rubbed onion soup mix all over wrapped in foil put it in a black porcelain Dutch oven left it cooking for eight hours. WOW!!! NO MUSS NO FUSS LEFT THE EATING TO US.

[@lhead7226]

Thanks for information we're going to try this next weekend camping.

[@hillsboroughfl]

+Lori Dicks-Head Awesome! That's what we like to hear!

[@tipsreducinghomebills1046]

Thank you for sharing this video.. I will try to make one of this and use it for this sunday camping.. cant wait..

[@hillsboroughfl]

+tipsreducinghomebills Great thinking! We look forward to checking out what you create!

[@kmilk6942]

Very clear instructions, thank you!

[@nancypeplau9747]

Thank you for this wonderful instruction.

[@muzicplyr111]

thank you. you explained it very well. very encouraging

[@AndreaM77]

Excellent!! Thank you. What wonderful ideas. 😊

[@ChristineBEACHCRICKETLowery]

Love These Very Much!

[@TheTamrock2007]

Great video. This helps me so much. Tomorrows task is to look for materials for this. I like upcycling things and excited to cook without heating up the house or by spending electricity.

[@pcr1968]

I enjoyed that. Thanks very much. Now I have to make one.

[@sharonmorton6734]

Outstanding info and presentation! I subscribed.

[@only1mrshoneyc]

Thank you for the tutorial!

[@rashb3994]

Outstanding. Thanks!

[@nolahomesteading3549]

My sons will be doing a couple of these over the summer to see which one works the best and then will cook breakfast for us 🥰👍🏻

[@judithneeley5229]

You are an excellent instructor/teacher, thank you! Now, I am on task to finds my black cooking pot, then the rest will follow! In my younger years as a girl scout, we made a cookie sheet oven to place in front of a campfire, but this is even better.

[@hillsboroughfl]

+Judith Neeley Great to hear! Thanks for stopping by!

[@sherrymuzykazekestravels6793]

Incredible video!!!!! Awesome job!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ladychicfashion1961]

Simply amazing!👍😍

[@tonyf4136]

awesome video thanks for sharing!!

Congratulations!!! I love solar cooking!!!

[@MCAES01]

É Brasileira?

[@MrVipulLal]

Sweet video. I will try and make this design

[@BethCatt-jq6xi]

I like your simple kitchen

[@johnkozaczok3713]

Wow, you are amazing, keep up the great work. And thank you for a wonderful video.

[@Scott4271]

Excellent information and lots of ideas. Very good starting point for building my own. Very practical information, immediately useful.

[@geogeduggan6579]

Good information , thanks. I'm going to try and make one.

[@energysaverdevices1911]

perfect for cooking during power outages and camping.. now I am loving this idea..

[@pikifrino]

Congratulations!..Very good video!..Thank you

[@carolrocky9803]

great information thanks

[@joecrespo5842]

I absolutely love your video very well done thank you for sharing this information🥰🥰🥰👍👍😎😎

[@teresarusinska9914]

thank you , God bless for your wisdom

[@MaryBethBrace]

Thanks. Giving it a try!

[@dadlaponizil3687]

Thank you Professor Keith. We learned a lot and will be building a solar cooker with our Climate Kibbutz students.

[@karenallen1730]

I wonder if one could use one of those reflectors meant for vehicle windshields. They would provide a measure of insulation too.

[@AllThingsConsidered333]

I just watched a video where the gal use the car windshield reflector and a black 5 gal bucket… funny thing I just bought a windshield reflector on clearance the other day! Wasn’t sure I’d use it til summer as its October in wisconsin now and pretty cold. Guess I’ll be trying it for cooking!

[@lindaripp5902]

Well done. Thanks

[@stevencarkhum4879]

Very helpful thank you!

[@hillsboroughfl]

Thanks Steven!

[@dandeleona4760]

What a great tutorial for a grand kids project! Helping them prepare without scaring them with a fun thing to do together, and brainstorm better ways to do it. For instance, the mirror finish is better with fewer creases that scatter sun rays, so maybe cut cardboard with smooth foil or mirror sheets, and then drop those inside the cooler. When marred, the slots can be pulled out and replaced. And let them experiment with focal points since a pan sitting on the bottom might not be the most intense heat if they want to boil water. With an oven thermometer under the plexiglass they can play with elevations as a way to control oven heat for various purposes. 150F slow cooks and 212F boils water, and 350F (if they can get it open faced so steam won't get trapped) will brown. And then play with adjustments in winter with snow on the ground. Science and cooking! :)

[@emmakikundwa885]

I love the idea; I use a charcoal stove at home I think I will cut back on the coast of cooking; I will try and make one.

[@hillsboroughfl]

That's what we like to hear!

[@estellebutler7601]

Ty..I'm thinking of building one of these.

[@speedi2you]

Great video

[@WoodWizard13]

What a fantastic engineer

[@BeBodacious]

thank you for the awesome demonstration! This is exactly what I needed to decide which cooker to make and how to do it. Thank you very much.

[@doreenchong9521]

Thanks for sharing. May God bless you abundantly sis🙏❤️🌈

[@sheilaackers3854]

Thank you x

[@gardener7664]

This is a great video. Thank you for the information. I have wanted one for a while now but the cost was a little out of my budget.

[@rentedmule4274]

Nicely done! Thank you - now I am feeling a little puckish, time to eat!

[@josephraju3411]

You are a Real, MAMA. God bless you MA.

[@mery1940]

Nice !

[@davidwilliams5567]

Very nice job at showing us important knowledge of solar stoves. You can also use insulated wall board that you find at building and DIY hardware stores. Same material that they put on sides of a building to insulate. Has aluminum on one side on a foam board. Has different R-factor ratings. More durable than aluminum foil, although foil is convenient.

[@the_witches_house]

You are a life saver

[@jacobclark89]

You solar people are making me jealous ! , I got to build me one of those ovens and install the solar panels on my electric recumbent bike.

[@JoseSantana-yd1pl]

Ótima explicação, sou brasileiro mesmo não entendendo o seu idioma, aprendi a fazer, obrigado parabéns!!!

[@josephrobi6806]

Great video thanks well articulate also great teacher and the food the rice 🍚 look good 😅

[@frewynihaileab8791]

thanx!!

[@fatimasc100]

thank you, you just saved me money.

[@dawndavis3600]

A different take on cooking. Good job.

[@daltonmaxwell994]

I've really loved tht idea I'll make one for mama back in Kenya

[@hillsboroughfl]

+Dalton Maxwell Nice of you! Such a great idea.

[@AtheneBitting]

My kind of woman! Yeah! I bet she can do just about anything!

[@jakebat-ochir24]

This is exactly what I need for my science research thank u WOMAN

[@hillsboroughfl]

+Jake Bat-Ochir That's what we like to hear!

[@HARDHOUSESCOUSE]

+Jake Bat-Ochir Fresnel lens solar cooker using TV lens

[@m.w.2098]

@@HARDHOUSESCOUSE why not both? Higher temperatures possible, eh?

[@sharonadams701]

That was amazing to me. Thank you so very Much. Wish I goi f out about this years ago. I Have lived in places that only had a hot plate due to Financial Hardships As of now no stove nor oven ☹️

[@andreapatane4204]

Solar cooking can be a hazard, because bacteria can build up in solar cookers. This woman is an intelligent and patient person who is a good teacher.

[@hillsboroughfl]

Andrea Patane You know your stuff! Thanks for your input!

[@andreapatane4204]

HillsboroughCounty I sure do. I'm smart. You're welcome!

[@hillsboroughfl]

Andrea Patane Where did you learn so much about Solar cooking?

[@andreapatane4204]

HillsboroughCounty Good question! Animation and live action on television at my house. I'm NOT giving out the address to you.

[@hillsboroughfl]

Andrea Patane Thanks for sharing with us!

[@ParttimePilgrim]

Nice job! You should have a meat thermometer to show exactness on the heat, because the DIY ones rarely get past 200°

[@13orangeleaf]

Thanks for the video ! what is the height of the reflectors

[@constantin1959]

thanks; this is a very nice overview of available options!

[@momstheword11]

Can you cook in these during winter? Thanks for this great video:) Subscribed and liked!

[@timdacey4520]

you rock

[@jeffcorbin9967]

I have watched a few of these being built but this is something I could do. If you make a mistake no big deal as the cost could be kept down low.

[@anilvardhanp1411]

I Will make One...this weekend!! I am from Qatar here the temp generally 7am-6pm would be 40deg +!! I hope i can have good cooking time!! Thanks for ur gr8 explanation.

[@hillsboroughfl]

+Anilvardhan P That's what we like to hear! Glad to be here for you!

[@sannytima807]

thanks fro sharing this tutorial.. I'm gonna make this since its summer here.. I better use this opportunity.. goodluck..

[@hillsboroughfl]

+Sanny Tima Glad you enjoyed! We can't wait to see what you create!

[@ideoformsun5806]

Great video! I wonder if she could demonstrate one that is made with natural materials. I'm avoiding plastic near my food. This reminds me of the old fashioned straw box cooker. You boil the food then place it in a box insulated with straw and throw a blanket over it. It then stays very hot for hours to further cook the food without additional fuel.

[@Jefferdaughter]

Hi Laurie - Great point! We avoid plastic like the plague, too. Most people have no idea that virtually all plastics outgass and/or transfer toxins via contact - with beverages, foods, and our skin. (Wood veneer covers for our computer keys and where out hands rest is a good idea. And those synthetic rubber - really plastic - mats sold for children's play areas are full of toxins. Nearly everything in our homes, even our clothes, are mostly made of plastic, these days - carpets, upholstery & cushions, our houses are wrapped in a couple layers of plastic (siding and Tyvek), even cabinets and furniture are often made of chemicals with some sawdust mixed in, and the paint is plastic, too - unless you get Real Milk Paint.) In England, a method similar to the one you mentioned was used, with hay instead of straw. Maybe you could get your family and friends to help you make a video demonstrating this method? And/or other ideas for solar cooking with natural materials. At the very least, recycled materials are a good idea. A flexible mirror on the dashboard of a car, either front or rear, with a dark colored pot works well, too., with the car pointed in the right direction to catch the sun. An oven thermometer next to the pot gives an idea of how hot things are getting from outside. Experimenting is the key.

[@oldtimerlee8820]

Use 2 boxes, one smaller than the other and insulate between the two of them with any appropriate material of your choice. Can be sawdust, straw, compost, etc. Cut the angles on both boxes to match. Once insulated cover the space between the two boxes with foil duct tape. You'll use glass, cut to fit the opening.

[@bengali481]

Is there any reason not to use mylar emergency blanket instead of foi?

[@mirriulahwaterdog]

Mary may I ask if you have tried these cookers without the superficial reflectors and if so what sort of temperatures did you achieve please.