Capturing and storing heat with only household materials—foil, foam board, and a lot of insulation tape—to bake cookies without plugging into the grid.
Read the project report.
The design uses a dual-glazing system and a reflective funnel that concentrates sunlight onto a black cook plate. Layers of aluminum foil, cardboard, and foam core create a lightweight but effective insulating shell. I tested multiple lid angles to maximize afternoon gain while keeping operation simple for younger users.
Temperature data showed a steady climb past 325°F on a clear day, enough to bake a full sheet of cookies in under an hour. Removable trays and a tilting hinge let users reload without losing too much captured heat.