Solar Cooker Reflectors

How They Work

Solar cooker reflectors are like turbo chargers for cars. Reflectors bring more sunlight into the cooking chamber of the solar oven or onto the cooking vessel (cook pot, casserole dish, etc).

In the case of box type cookers, reflectors do both. The reflectors bring more sunlight into the chamber, which heats the chamber walls, which heats the air in the chamber, AND they cast more light onto the cook pot (or casserole dish).

Materials

Reflectors can be made of just about anything rigid enough to stand up to the elements. Even something temporary will do in a pinch, such as tin foil or aluminum foil on cardboard. I've used Mylar, aluminum foil and also reflective mirror film on cardboard, all with good results.

You could also use 1/4" plastic chloroplast, wood or other materials that the reflective material would adhere to.

DIY Reflectors

You could use velcro (hook and loop material), snaps, or hinges to join your solar cooker reflectors together. Most of these items are available at your local hardware or home building stores or craft stores.

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