Parabolic solar cooker - GIF

[Altair]

Parabolic solar cooker.




Previously:

Solar furnace mirror - photo
Ashalim solar power station - photo
Largest solar power plants in the world - infographic
Combination wave and solar farm - GIF
Solar panel cleaning tractor - GIF

[mwmkravchenko]

This should get a lot more use than they currently do. Fuel free, that is the reason why they do not get the attention that they deserve. Even in overcast weather you can warm stuff up at midday.

[nova_robotics]

A few years ago I welded up a frame and put a Fresnel lens in it. I bought that lens online, but you can get them for cheap/free out of old projection TVs which everyone seems to be throwing out these days. This picture is my girlfriend using the Fresnel lens to melt sand into glass. It would melt the sand pretty quick. Very impressive stuff.

[hemmjo]

On a sunny day, if he lets it boil dry he could possibly destroy that pot with that parabolic dish.

Back in the 1980's as part of an energy unit I had a class build a 4' diameter parabolic reflector from fiberglass and epoxy resin. The form was made from plaster using the jiggering method to create the parabolic shape. It was in 8 sections, bolted together to create the full dish.

The sections were covered with strips of chrome mylar we got from a parent that had a connection with Dupont. We were only able to try it one time as the intensity of the light at the was so intense to be dangerous to the eyes. It was as bright as arc welding. Holding a common 2 x 4 at the focal point would begin to smoke instantly and burst into flames in just a couple of seconds.

I wish I had pictures.

[clavius]

Remember the Radio Shack solar cigarette lighters?