Down 2 Earth Gardeners
Event Location: Cocoa-FL
Competition: Solar Energy Cook-Off
Division: 6-8
School: Orlando Gifted Academy
Team Name: Down 2 Earth Gardeners
Project Name: The Green Machine
Team Size: 2
An Orlando Gifted Academy team
Our Team:
Charlie S. and Zhanel B.
(Both seventh grade)
Historical Information:
This is our second year competing in this event, with our first being last year. Both of us have experience in culinary arts, frequently cooking dinner for our families. We both feel strongly about preserving the planet by eating vegan, and we share a love for plants. We also were inspired to make the meal entirely gluten-free after Charlie’s sister was diagnosed with Celiac disease.
Materials:
12 oz. Gaps and Cracks Insulating Spray Foam Sealant – Home Depot
Aluminum Enclosure Case, DIY Project Boxes for Electronic – Amazon
Quality Adhesive Mirror Sheet Flexible Mirrors – Amazon
Corrugated Wood, Maximum Shine for Ramp – Amazon
2 Pieces Clear Acrylic Sheet Plexiglass 1/8” Thick – Amazon
Building the Green Machine:
When the metal box arrived from Amazon, we got to work scratching up the inside so that the paint would stick to it. We then painted the interior of the box with leftover black acrylic paint from a previous project. As soon as the paint dried, we added foam sealant into the holes and cracks of the box. We then sprayed a clear varnish onto the box so that the paint couldn’t be scratched off. Next, we cut five pieces of corrugated wood and used wood glue to make them into a box slightly larger than the metal box. This provides an additional layer of insulation to keep even more heat inside our cooker. We then coated the inside of the wooden box with mirrors. To finish the base, we sprayed the inside of the wooden box with spray foam and put the metal box inside so that there is as much insulation keeping heat on the food as possible. We were able to get it up to 150 degrees the way it was at this point.
We then laser-cut cardboard and applied stick-on mirrors to the cardboard pieces. We finished by using reflective tape to apply the mirrors to the top of the box at a roughly 60-degree angle. We completed the build by 3d printing two parts to stick off the sides and a base that the build can rotate on. This allows us to position the mirrors at the sun wherever it is.
Measurements:
Height: 10 inches
Width: 10 inches
Length: 9.5 inches
Why we chose this design:
We chose to use a combination of metal, wood, and spray foam to help ensure that all the heat possible was being kept inside the oven. We also made the oven adjustable so that we could face it towards the sun wherever it is, getting the maximum possible amount of rays into the food.
Our recipe:
Veggie Stir Fry
Homemade veggie sauce – Drizzled over FF
Spaghetti squash – Half cup FF
Sliced mushrooms – One handful FF
Broccoli – One handful FF
Baby corn – Half of a handful FF
Water chestnuts – Half of a handful FF
Sesame seeds, for garnish – Half of a tablespoon FF
Fruit Salad
Chopped strawberries FF
Mandarin orange slices FF
Diced pineapple FF
Diced kiwi FF
Quartered blueberries FF
Pineapple and lime mocktail
Honey FF
Lime FF
Hand-juiced pineapple FF
Coriander leaves FF
Ice
Soda water
Final product:
Our Video:
Due to issues with uploading video content, we have to attach the video through a YouTube link:
While compact, your oven is well made and cradle for angling the oven is excellent. I loved your video and how you explained and took apart your desing to show the different parts.
The 3D printed roller is a very clever design idea. Cooking vegan recipes in a solar oven is great for the planet!