| unnel cookers are the least expensive and easiest | | | | approximately two inches wide by four inches long |
| solar cooker to construct. Solar funnel cookers are | | | | and two inches deep. Place this block in the bottom of |
| portable, making them ideal for campers, including RV | | | | an oven bag. Set the Mason jar (with the food or |
| owners and backpackers. For more detail go to: kids | | | | water contents inside) on top of the wood, inside the |
| can help with the construction of solar funnel cookers. | | | | bag. Blow air into the bag to inflate it. Tie the bag off at |
| It is the ideal do-it-yourself solar project, melding both | | | | the top. This creates a greenhouse effect inside the |
| cost-efficiency and environmentally friendly energy use. | | | | bag. |
| The first step in constructing a solar funnel cooker is to | | | | Lastly, place the bag inside the funnel of the solar |
| cut a half circle along the bottom of the cardboard | | | | cooker. Be sure the apparatus is facing the sun. The |
| sheet. This circle should have a radius that is equal to | | | | solar funnel cooker can be placed in a cardboard box |
| half the diameter of the container used for cooking. If a | | | | or a hole dug into the ground for stability. |
| standard mason jar is used, the half circle's radius | | | | Solar cooked foods will not burn, as the heat is slow |
| would be approximately five inches. | | | | and moderate. The best cooking times are when the |
| The half circle that was cut into the bottom of the | | | | sun is highest in the sky and the cooker is left in direct |
| cardboard sheet will be used to make the funnel. For | | | | light. Cooking times for items vary and some will |
| more detail go to: bend the two sides of the cardboard | | | | require water to be added. |
| together around the half circle. A funnel shape should | | | | Most vegetables can be cooked in an hour and a half, |
| form. Allow the cardboard to crease as this will give | | | | as will roast nuts. Neither of those items requires |
| guidelines for the funnel once the aluminum foil is | | | | water to be added. For grains, use a mix of two parts |
| attached. | | | | water for every one part grain; this should be ready to |
| Next, lay the cardboard sheet back down onto the | | | | serve within two hours. Meats, chicken and fish vary |
| floor or work surface. Using the spray adhesive or | | | | on cooking times due to their size and density. |
| white glue (mixed with equal parts water), adhere the | | | | Generally, fish takes one to one and a half hours, while |
| aluminum foil to what will be the inside of the funnel. Be | | | | chicken and meat will cook between one and a half |
| sure the foil is shiny side up and no bubbles or breaks | | | | and three hours. |
| occur. | | | | The solar funnel cooker is cost and eco-friendly. It |
| Once the aluminum foil has adhered to the cardboard, | | | | requires very little effort to construct and is portable. |
| bring the funnel together again. Use the metal brads to | | | | There are a variety of uses for the solar funnel |
| attach the two sides together. Space the brads evenly | | | | cooker, from cooking foods to pasteurizing water. |
| down the edge where the two sides meet and lock | | | | Solar power can be harnessed in many ways, but |
| into place. Glue a section of aluminum foil over the | | | | perhaps the simplest is through solar cooking. Solar |
| brads on the back of the cooker, shiny side down, to | | | | cookers make using alternative fuel sources both |
| ensure heat retention. The funnel of the cooker is now | | | | accessible and affordable. Solar cookers are |
| assembled. | | | | especially beneficial to campers, including RV owners |
| Spray with black paint a square of wood | | | | and backpackers. |