How to Build a Solar Oven from a Pizza Box

Learn how to create a fun and functional solar oven using a pizza box and common household materials with your kids.

  1. Gather Your Materials. You'll need a clean pizza box, black construction paper, aluminum foil, clear plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag, black electrical tape or glue, a ruler, a box cutter or scissors, and a small cooking pot or dark-colored plate. Optional items include a cooking thermometer and small food items to cook like s'mores ingredients or hot dogs.
  2. Create the Solar Collector Flap. Draw a square on the pizza box lid, leaving about 1-2 inches of border on three sides. Use a box cutter to cut along three sides of the square, leaving one side as a hinge. An adult should handle the cutting for younger children. Fold the flap back to create a window opening in the lid.
  3. Line the Box with Foil. Cover the inside bottom of the pizza box with aluminum foil, shiny side facing up. Smooth out any wrinkles to create the best reflection. Also cover the underside of the flap you just created with foil, again with the shiny side facing down into the box when closed.
  4. Add the Black Absorber. Place black construction paper over the foil on the bottom of the box. The black surface will absorb heat from the sun's rays. Make sure the paper lies flat and covers most of the bottom surface.
  5. Seal the Window. Tape clear plastic wrap tightly over the window opening you created in the lid. This creates a greenhouse effect by letting sunlight in while trapping heat inside. Make sure the plastic is stretched tight with no gaps or holes.
  6. Set Up Your Solar Oven. Place your solar oven in direct sunlight. Prop open the foil-covered flap so it reflects sunlight down through the plastic window into the box. Use a stick or pencil to hold the flap at the right angle. The goal is to direct as much sunlight as possible into the box.
  7. Test and Cook. Place a dark-colored pot or plate with your food inside the box on the black paper. Close the lid and let the sun do its work. Check the temperature with a thermometer if you have one. Cooking times will vary based on outside temperature and sunlight strength, but expect 30 minutes to 2 hours for most foods.