The “Solar Baby 2 ” Solar Oven

Instructables – by aleutianwind

This is a larger version of The Solar Baby that was in another instructable i did a while back.  This one cooks better than the last one and can cook larger meals. It seals better and has better insulation. It has the curved back and pivoting sun finding system same as the Solar Baby.The hinged lid/reflector has removable pins and can be removed and inverted over the oven for a smaller stowage area which makes it good for RV ing  The size of your oven depends on the size of the tempered glass you have.  

Step 1:

     I have cooked many meals on this oven while traveling. It cooks a great loaf of bread, I can cook a whole chicken in a couple hours. Keeps over 300 degrees on a sunny day. Easy to open, just lock pin in upright position and open.

Step 2:

      The gimbled cast aluminum plate is attached with coat hanger wire. The cooking surface stays level while the curved back box rotates. The latch holds the lid tightly with d shaped weather strip between the door and the lid. I used stove pipe for the outside cover and aluminum flashing for the reflective surface inside the box.

Step 3:

   I made the ends with a radius the same as the glass size plus the frame. I cut a radius 1/8 smaller in 3/4 inch plywood and another 3/4 inch smaller for the inside aluminum to attach to. I made mine in 2 pieces and glue them to the end piece.
I built the stand with 1/2 ply screwed and glued to about a foot of 3/4 by 1 1/2 wood. drilled a hole for pivot bolt. Bolt together and drill a series of holes for a pin on one end.

Step 4:

    Add two 3/4 x 1 1/2  between the ends.  fasten the aluminum flashing with brads  Cover with insulation then cover with stove pipe. I used a 10 inch pipe for this one. Keep the top as flat as possable as it makes a better seal for the lid.

Step 5:

    The frame is made with 3/4 x 1 1/2   I used a dremel with a 1/4 bit to cut the slot for the glass. Then a hand plane to cut a 60 degree bevel     I used Gorilla glue and screws to assemble the frame.    Cut 1/8 ply or mdo to fit inside frame make them 18 min. tall and at a 65 degree angle. i cut sheets of mylar to fit.

Step 6:

    Bevel edges at 45 degree for a good glue fit.       I fit and glue reflectors to 60 degree bevel an glass frame, tape seams until glue dries.
Flip over and glue more.
Attach loose pin hinges and latches.

http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Solar-Baby-2-Solar-Oven/