Solar oven - 3rd and last trial - a success!

[mardarfe]

Hi Hipofalcon,

I have been planning on building a solar cooker and am looking at different designs. I like the looks of yours better than anything i've seen to this point. Would it be possible to get a set of plans for your cooker?

[hipofalcon]

@mardarfe - yes. Send me an email to - mamodbasher(at)gmail(dot)com - I will send you my plans and parts list no problem! Ken.

[spiritartman]

You've got Email. J

[spiritartman]

PS you can email me at Zesauce@hotmail.com if you like Thanks!!

[spiritartman]

Do you have a facebook? Love the Pacific Energy Oven as well Btw. Can you make one of these ovens to order? I'm on Long Island in NY and this is part of a "being green/Survival" way of experiencing life. 3 thumbs up for you.!!! Way to go Canada!

[hipofalcon]

@spiritartman - sorry, I don't do Facebook. As for building one - you could do it easily. Send me an email to - mamodbasher(at)gmail(dot)com - I will send you the documents. Or, you could just buy a "Global Sun Oven". Google that name and you can see what that looks like - it works well and there are a lot of dealers in the U.S. that sell these. Ken.

[jerryaltman]

The interior of the oven should be black, to absorb heat. Well, that what I imagine as right.

[hipofalcon]

@jerryaltman - actually, there are two schools of thought here. One says paint the oven black, and the other is to make it reflective. I opted for the latter. All of my cookware is dark coloured and they sit on a dark cookie sheet. Any heat is then absorbed into the cooking and not the oven. Seems to be working for me. I have hit over 375F in this oven, so not sure that I would need it any hotter in any event. Ken.

[hiragabaka]

This video is wicked, I am inspired. How did your bigger one turn out?

[hipofalcon]

@hiragabaka - I have to admit that I haven't got the bigger one done yet - talk about procrastination! As soon as I do, I will post a vid of it. Meantime, this one is still working great and we use it all the time. Ken.

[evilqcumber]

@hipofalcon

If you aren't done with the bigger one yet, can you take pictures or make a video of how you make it?

[joe18370]

that side door you can put some masking tape and seal it off,hold in the heat,nice solar oven ,i like the full front side.

[k8onaplate]

Very inspiring, What would be the effect of using solid glass mirrors within the oven as the oven walls?

[faeriegothmamma]

Don't you lose heat everytime you open the oven??

[hipofalcon]

A little of the heat is lost, but it recovers very quickly. I don't need to open it often, so it presents no problem. I need to build a larger one (soon). I had about an 8 pound chicken crammed into it on March 15/09 and it cooked fine, but there was so much juice that it ran everywhere. I need to build one to hold my BIG speckle-ware roaster - stay tuned! Ken.

[27simber]

i am going to make one but we have hot days in australia gets up to 47de and thats hot!!! that good .

[centervilletn]

i was wondering if anyone has built a solar thermosiphon heater and used reflectors on them similar to the ones on the oven...please msg me if you have id like to see if i could get more heat out of mine with out burning my house down...

[KARStarla]

I been thinking...I wonder if these sun ovens could heat a home? If there were more then a few (or at least a larger model) and there was a large hole (the size of a dryer vent) drilled into the back and then hooked in through the home, think that would work? No carbon tax on that kind of heating lol..thats such a scam anyway

[centervilletn]

ive finished building one made of corrogated roofing and aluminum cans...its 32inches by 72 inches and cost under 100 dollars to build..im heating my 16x20 tool shop with a vaulted ceiling with it...it works great in the southeast....easy to build for anyone who can read a tape and used a drill...msg me and ill send you a picture and walk you through

[KARStarla]

I live in the southeast too. Why not do a video on it? I cant get e-mail from this puter so I cant message by that, but why not do a vid?

[MaxSachs]

I'm guessing you don't pay Ontario Hydro much now do you? Good stuff. You've convinced me to build my own.

[kardel100]

Superb job and looks tasty too !! i have subscribed. keep it up.. 5 Stars and regards from London(uk) Derek.

[YouAdamNazzkl0wn]

Well done Ken & Phyliss!

I gotta build one or two of 'em now.

[KARStarla]

I notice the interior of the box isnt black but mylar, am I seeing correctly? I'm new to looking into these and I recall a bunch of places saying to color the inside flat black. You appear to get great results so I'm wondering.

Also... did you say in your other video you have two pieces of glass in this one? Is there a kind of glass you'd reccoment, if not both pieces... are they different or the same?

[enserfud]

awesome!!! could this be retro fitted to help suplement home heating/hot water,possibly using small solar powered motors as circulator pumps for base board type supplement???

[hipofalcon]

Actually, there are better ways to heat water using solar. If you want simplicity, you can use this type of unit on a larger scale with a water tank (50 gallon) painted flat black. You then plumb it into the system ahead of your normal water heater to preheat the water. Works well in most climates and there are a lot of designs on the internet. Juat "Google" solar batch water heater. Ken.

[VisualMonster]

Nice oven! I like how your hitting those temperatures while there is still snow outside, lol. I'll be building one this next weekend.

BTW, are those harbor freight 45 watt panels in the background? They look similar to mine.

[hipofalcon]

Thanks - those three panels in the background are a Chinese manufacturer in Shanghai. Can't recall the name, but they are 50 watt units and work great! Ken.

[hipofalcon]

Mylar is the reflective stuff - from the hydroponic suppliers. Ken

[centervilletn]

you can use christmas wrapping paper ...the foil type is mylar..inexpensive and very available!

[imigrantpunk]

@hipofalcon

great setup. would you want the inside of the oven black or reflective (mylar or foil)?

it looks like yours is reflective, but wouldn't you have a higher temps when the inside is black? thanks!

[desertblbuesman]

what are the reflectors made from?

[hipofalcon]

Actually, Puffer (the other dog) is the "food-hound" in our household! Ginger will take it in, but it's Puff who holds the vigil...

[ogwen040]

Thats great! Love the steam coming out of the oven, must have smelled great! I take it Ginger was monitoring progress with interest?