My Last Solar Cooker

by Rob
(SW NM)

Have been using solar cookers for about fifteen years. Started with foil covered cardboard, a jar and a plastic roasting bag. Have steadily progressed since then. Insulated cardboard to plywood to sheet metal to stainless boxes; foil to mirror to aluminum to stainless reflectors; cookers on the ground on wire spools on 55gal. drums. In the end, am left with my last solar cooker. All the others eventually succumbed to the elements.
My last solar cooker stays out year round, is at a reasonable height, easily swivels and tilts, and is a joy to use. It is made of stainless steel except for the door which is wood, uses double strength single pane window glass, has yellow fiberglass duct insulation, and easily reaches 350°F. The box is fastened to a plywood platform by two hinges at its front. This allows it to be tilted for seasonal adjustment. The platform is screwed to a lazy susan roller which in turn is fastened to a larger plywood platform. This last platform extends out to provide a resting place for pots. All of this is lag screwed to a plastic 55gal. drum filled with -300lbs. of pea gravel. Need to add that the two platforms have matching holes ( locked by an eyebolt) which allows the cooker to swivel during the day stay in position.
The cooker is about eight years old and still going strong. Had to replace the platforms this past year. All in all not bad for a no maintenance item.
Pics show this oven along with a couple of earlier models. Hope this will give you all some ideas.