Here is how to make a windshield shade solar cooker.
A simple, reflective Accordion Windshield Shade
A solar cooker of this nature falls into the panel cooker category. In order to cook, three things are needed : 1) a pot to cook in; 2) a heat trap; and 3) a reflector. When folded into a funnel shape, the windshield shade becomes the reflector.
How to Make a Windshield Shade Solar Cooker
You will need the following items to make the reflector:
- a small or medium sized silver, reflective windshield shade
- duct tape (or Velcro Sticky Back Tape
)
You will also need these items to set up the cooker:
- a dark pot or cookware appropriate for solar cooking
- a wire rack
- a large cooking bag
- a box (cardboard is fine)
To make the reflector, shape the shade into a funnel shape by bringing one of the top edges over the other top edge, silvery side in, and tape together with duct tape. However, sticky back velcro strips can also be used. Simply place the soft side of the velcro on the top side near the top edge on the silvery side. Place the loop side of the velcro on the underneath side of the shade, near the top edge (on the less reflective side). The advantage of using velcro allows for the shade to be folded into its original shape, making it perfect for storage.
To set up the solar cooker, bring the two edges together into the funnel shape and fasten the velcro.
Set the funnel into the cardboard box to hold it. Placing it into the box allows the funnel shape to be adjusted to reflect the best sunshine.
Next, place the wire rack across the box. This helps hold the reflector in place and also gives a place to put the cooking pot.
Place your pot full of food into the turkey bag and tie shut with a twisty tie. The turkey bag acts as a heat trap to capture the sunlight, and hold it. The allows the air inside the bag to heat up and cook the food.
That’s it!! Just like with other types of solar cooker, for best results, this cooker needs to be directed into the strongest sun. For tips on how to cook in a solar oven, see Solar Cooking Tips & Techniques.
With these few simple items in your car or home, you will be prepared for unexpected or emergency situations. Now that you know how to make a windshield shade solar cooker, you will be able to cook a hot meal for yourself and your family.
This is also a great way to test out solar cooking for yourself without a large investment. Try it. You will like it. See My First Solar Oven.
Do you solar cook? Tell me about your first solar oven. Have questions and don’t know where to start? I’m here to help so leave me a message.
“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases”
In your opinion, f I want to cook 4 to 6 meals per week in a solar cooker, is this windshield version cost effective (because of having to buy turkey bags) or would I be better off buying a sun flair cooker (or similar model)?
Hello Lynn,
Thank you for a very thought provoking question. A little bit of simple math gives us a ballpark comparison of the expenses involved. A quick search online shows that the average cost of 1 cooking bag is about $1. It might be a little less, but the math is easier if we use a dollar. The cooking bag can be used several times, but after a couple of uses, you will find that the bag is either too dirty and is unappealing or it is becoming brittle. I probably use a bag only twice, but sometimes I use it 3 times. I don’t think I have ever used one more although some more frugal cooks probably have. So if you use a bag 3 times, and if you cook 6 meals a week, you would need 2 bags at a cost of $1 each, a total of $2 a week. With 52 weeks in a year, the cost of bags would be $104 dollars for a year (12 months). Plus you would also have to consider the cost of the windshield screen of about $10. So the total cost of materials for one year is $114. The cost of materials for 18 months would be $166. Now if you use more than two bags a week, your cost would go up. If you use less than two bags a week, your cost would go down.
Currently, on Amazon, the Sunflair costs about $120 or $155, fitted out with all the bells and whistles. So on a purely cost basis, if you truly expect to cook that many meals a week for a long time, you might be better off buying an oven.
Still, starting with something simple like the windshield shade and cooking bags will help you determine your real cooking needs. After using it consistently for a few weeks, you will learn either 1) you don’t really use it that often, and are quite content to stay with the simple cooker and bags; or 2) you love solar cooking and find yourself really wishing Santa brings you a solar cooker next Christmas.
But there is another alternative, unless you really need something that folds up and is portable, you can make your own homemade oven. There are many plans for making one, some as simple as using an insulated cardboard box. Here is a post to help get you started on that https://sunshineonmyshoulder.com/diy-solar-cookers/
Here is another idea. Instead of using cooking bags, use two large glass bowls as your heat trap. To use, place your food into a solar cooking pot, cover with the lid. Put the pot into one of the glass bowls and cover it with the other bowl. The bowls can be purchased online or picked up a Walmart for about $5 each. To understand how this works, please refer to the post on the All Season Solar Cooker (ASSC) https://sunshineonmyshoulder.com/all-season-solar-cooker-review/
The ASSC uses the double bowl method and is also foldable for easy storage.
I hope I have answered your question and give you a few ideas. Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to hearing about your solar cooking.
Merry