Solar Hot Dog Cooker

The venom often expressed in the energy debate leads one to miss the finer points of applications. The solar hot dog cooker is just one practical, small application.

Solar Hot Dog Cooker

Using the power of the sun to cook food is an ideal choice for many who do not have or chose not to use electricity. In many rural areas of the world, solar cookers have been introduced as a way to replace cooking on wood fires. Although wood fires get the job done, they can bring with them many problems. Women, who do a majority of the cooking, frequently get respiratory illnesses from the smoke. The amount of wood used is contributing a severe shortage of forest areas in many places. There is also a considerable amount of time spent gathering wood for the fires.

Solar cookers do not only have to be used by those with no electricity. Some people use solar cookers while camping or out on the beach. Children will enjoy cooking their own food on a solar cooker using only the power of the sun. A solar hot dog cooker is a great educational tool for children. It is a science project, cooking adventure, and environmental lesson all rolled into one.

A solar hot dog cooker is not difficult to make. You will need a cardboard box, some aluminum foil, a skewer, and some thin cardboard. Poster board usually works best. Any cardboard box will work, but the longer and narrower it is the better. A long, narrow box will help collect heat more quickly. This will enable you to cook your hot dog faster.

You should then cut a semi-circular curve into the side of the box. It should not go far into the box. Carefully cut another curve on the opposite side of the box. Make sure both sides are exactly the same. Using the thin piece of cardboard, cut out a piece that will fit across the box and fit flush into the curves you cut. Starting in the middle of the curve, tape down the cardboard to the box. You should now have a contraption that somewhat resembles a skateboard park! Cover the curved surface with glue. Starting in the middle, place aluminum foil with the shiny side up. Smooth out the foil as you glue it down. It should be free of bumps or creases.

With the “U” shaped curve of your box facing you, locate the center. Tape two pieces of cardboard here, one on each side. Place the skewer through these pieces of cardboard so that skewer is focused right in the center of the “U.” Place a hot dog on the skewer and position your cooker in the sunlight. The sun’s rays will reflect off the aluminum and be directed onto your hotdog. You can experiment with different size boxes and curves to see which works best for the quickest sun-cooked hot dogs.

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