Another example of the use of solar energy for cooking. This time, the author decided to make a wooden-burning solar furnace in order to experience the full benefits of using free solar energy.
With high-quality assembly, a furnace of a similar design can last for many years for cooking in the sun.
Materials that the author used to build this model of a solar furnace:
1) wooden bars
2) moisture resistant plywood 20 mm thick
3) thin sheets of aluminum
4) metal pins
5) wheels
6) antiseptic
7) paint
Consider the main features of the design of the solar furnace and the stages of its assembly.
The main advantage of a furnace of this design is that for tracking cooking, you do not need to be in the area of mirrors under the blinding rays of the sun.
The author decided to make the case of the solar furnace out of wood, since it is quite easier to work with it, moreover, the author already had experience working with wood. The case itself was made of wooden bars, connecting which the author received the main frame of the solar furnace. This frame was upholstered with moisture-resistant plywood 20 mm thick, although conventional boards can also be used. The case itself was made in the shape of a rectangular triangle.
After that, the author covered the inner part of the surface of the solar furnace with thin sheets of aluminum. Cooking will occur due to the transfer of thermal energy received by these sheets of metal, which will heat up under the sun.
Then the author began assembling the solar furnace, or rather its main chamber for cooking. To do this, all the walls upholstered with sheets of thin aluminum were connected so that the entire inner space was upholstered with metal.
As you can see from the pictures, a small hole remains behind, which will serve as a door. That is, food styling and monitoring of its preparation will be carried out through this door located on the rear wall of the oven. This way you will be protected from direct sunlight.
The author decided to fix this door using ordinary door hinges. Thanks to this, it will be quite easy and convenient to open it to demonstrate the state of food, and close it back if the food has not yet been prepared.
An important factor in the effective operation of such a solar furnace is that it is constantly turned with its front part under direct sunlight. This will allow the metal sheets to heat up faster.
Next, the author covered the resulting cooking chamber with glass and sealed it. At this stage of the assembly, it is important to ensure that there are no targets or openings inside the cooking chamber through which hot air can escape. If such gaps are found, they should be eliminated, as this can seriously affect the efficiency of the furnace and the temperature inside the cooking chamber.
The author attached glass with silicone glue, and for greater reliability, fixed it with holders.
In order for the stove not to be on the ground, but at a convenient level of height, the author made the legs of wooden beams.
Since the furnace must be turned to the sun as it moves, small wheels were attached to the bars, which greatly facilitated the task of moving the furnace.
To further increase the efficiency and power of this stove, the author made additional reflectors. Such reflectors can be made of mirrors, polished aluminum or polished stainless steel. In this case, the author decided to make reflectors in the same way as the internal walls of the furnace cooking chamber. that is, the plywood sheets were upholstered with thin aluminum on one side. After that, the reflectors were fixed on all sides of the furnace, this is clearly visible in the picture.
If you do not want the oven to take up a lot of space during storage, then it is reasonable to make the reflectors removable, or as the author made folding. For this, the size of the reflectors was adjusted to the required frames, and since they turned out to be quite thick 10-20 mm, their mountings were made at different heights, thus taking into account the thickness when folding.
The author preferred to fix the reflectors in the working position with the help of supports made of metal.
Since the outer surface of the solar furnace is made of plywood, which is not covered by anything, the author decided to cover it with an antiseptic to protect it from external influences. After which it was covered with a protective layer of paint.
In order to have data on the temperature inside the furnace, the author installed a thermometer on the back side. The result is an excellent stove for cooking with the help of solar energy.