permaculture

Workshop Module 12: Appropriate Technology 327

Field activity : Make a solar cooker

Method : Practical demonstration model building

Tools : See preparations below

References : PC Book MOD 12 - Appropriate Technology

Objective : Participants make and test simple solar cookers

In the “Stoves and ovens” section of PC Book MOD 12 – Appropriate Technology there
are pictures which describe how to make simple reflective solar cookers. Use these
pictures with the following simple instructions.

Preparation

Prepare enough of the “Solar cookers” section of the PC Book MOD 12 – Appropriate
Technologies, so that each participant can take one set of references home.

Collect the materials and tools needed for:

• Making the solar cooker:
  
  
  • Large cardboard boxes.
  
  
  • Glue or flour and water glue.
  
  
  • Aluminium foil or aluminium drink cans.
  
  
  • Rocks.
  
  
  • Packing tape.
  
  
  
  


• Testing the solar cooker
  
  
  • A large pot.
  
  
  • Food to cook. Remember that they are slow cookers, so rice, soups,
    curries, or stews are best.
  
  
  
  

Running this exercise

If there are enough materials, divide the participants into small groups of 3-4 people.

Each groups can make a solar cookers using the pictures on the handouts as a
reference:

1. Cut the cardboard box into the pattern.


2. Use the glue to stick the aluminium foil onto the cardboard - Tin cans can also
   be cut up and used instead of aluminium foil, but this takes more time.


3. Make the final shape of the solar cooker, and use packing tape and rocks to hold
   it in place.

Once the cookers are finished the groups can test them by cooking various
foods.

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