How to make a Solar Tyre Oven

With Moses from Uganda

What you need…An old tyre, a glass square big enough to cover it,a black pot, silver foil, newspaper, tape, cardboard,something to weigh the glass down… and some sun!

CardboardPlace the cardboard on the ground, making sure thatit is flat. This acts as extra insulation for the oven.

TyrePut the tyre onto the cardboard. Check that thereare no gaps between them.The tyre absorbs heat from the sun.

NewspaperAdd newspaper all around the inside and the base ofthe tyre.The newspaper traps air and adds more insulation.

Silver foil basePut a base of silver foil inside the tyre to reflectthe heat.

Silver foil liningAdd a long length of silver foil all around the sidesand inside of the tyre. This acts as your main solar reflector (like a mirror).

Silver foil liningTry to make sure that thereare no gaps. Then tape the ends together.

Glass squareTape the edges of the square of glass* to avoidaccidents. A circular piece of glass will be evensafer.

* the glass we used was 64 x 64 cm

Black potPlace a black pot into the middle of the tyre; using ablack lid is even better. Try a stew* without much water content at first.

* we cooked a pumpkin and rice stew

Add the glassPut the glass on top of the tyre, ensuring there areno gaps. Add some weights to avoid heat leakingout of the oven.

Leave in the sunMake sure that your oven is in full sun with noshadows. Leave it for about 4-5 hours, dependingon the strength of the sun and what you are cooking.

How it works

Solar radiation enters through the glass and UV light is trapped inside the oven.

Light reflects off the silver foil and warms the heatabsorbent black pot.

Heat is kept in the oven by the newspaper andcardboard insulation.

The black tyre absorbs heat, helping to heatthe whole oven, and it adds extra insulation.

Taste!Check your food to see if it is cooked. Try not tolet too much heat escape – be careful, it may bevery hot. Then taste it!

Please send pictures of your Solar Tyre Oven to: education@sendacow.org.uk

Find more resources at: sendacow.org.uk/lessonsfromafrica

Follow us @LessonsAfrica