All Fired Up
Event Location: Cocoa-FL
Competition: Solar Energy Cook-Off
Division: 6-8
School: Milwee Middle
Team Name: All Fired Up
Project Name: All Fired Up
Team Size: 5
Photo and Basic Information:
Team Name: All Fired Up
Middle School Name: Milwee Middle School
Student Names:
Ansh G.- 7th grade
David H.- 8th grade
Cheyenne L.- 8th grade
Natalie R. – 8th grade
Nicolas T.- 7th grade
Historical Information
Our school has been competing in Energy Whiz for 12 years. Milwee has not competed in any other Solar Cooking event other than Energy whiz. Milwee has won 7 of those years. Interesting Facts about our school is that it has a school greenhouse that allows us to get fresh vegetables and fruits.
Design Documentation
Mr. Kallin helped us with using power tools (such as a circular saw, seen in the picture), helped cut plexiglass onto the solar oven, and gave a brief lesson on solar ovens and how to best utilize the sun to cook food.
Design Drawings
We chose this solar oven because it maximizes the solar energy given to the solar oven and thus maximizing the heat. The reflectors we used were made out of insulation which we then covered in emergency blankets. Our insulation is made out of crumpled newspaper which was secured tightly together through duct tape. We decided to add a wood and plexiglass cover to the top of the solar oven to trap heat inside.
Materials
Who Worked | Date | Job |
Ansh, Natalie, Nicolas, David, Cheyenne | 3-2-2024 | Worked on brainstorming and figuring out our theme |
Ansh, Natalie, Nicolas, David, Cheyenne | 3-6-2024 | Continued brainstorming and chose theme |
Ansh, Natalie, Nicolas, David, Cheyenne | 3-8-2024 | Found the box to use as the solar oven |
Ansh, Natalie, Nicolas, David, Cheyenne | 3-11-2024 | Started sketching ideas on design of oven |
Ansh, Natalie, David, Cheyenne | 3-14-2024 | Started building the oven |
Ansh, Natalie, David, Cheyenne | 3-17-2024 | Started the insulation in the oven |
Ansh, Natalie , Cheyenne | 3-20-2024 | Worked on the oven |
Ansh | 3-21-2024 | Started the website |
Ansh, Natalie, Nicolas, David, Cheyenne | 3-24-2024 | Built the wood and started the reflectors |
Natalie, Ansh | 3-27-2024 | Worked on the website and shot the video |
Ansh, Natalie, Nicolas, David, Cheyenne | 4-2-2024 | Worked on final touches on box and website before submitting website |
Cardboard Box- The outside of our solar oven was made from a repurposed box that had been used to ship materials to the school.
Emergency Blanket- Our teacher, Mrs. Unterreiner had remaining blankets from past years
Aluminum Foil- There was a bunch of aluminum foil as we use it in our daily lives
Foam Insolation Board- One teacher gave the foam insolation because he had extra from his class
Cooking Griddle- Our school had a cooking griddle from other years in competing
Test Results
Our Hypothesis for the highest temperature we could get is 285F, due to time restrictions with testing at our school, there had not been time to completely test the solar oven in action. Because of our insolation and reflectors, it would generate lots of heat and not lose much and the aluminum foil amplifies the heat that has been trapped inside the solar oven, making it even hotter.
Recipes/Menu
Title of Dish: El Macho’s Enchilada Special; Number of Servings: 5 servings
Ingredients:
- 8 small tortillas
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese (such as cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Toppings: diced avocado, chopped cilantro, sour cream
- Preheat the solar oven by placing it in direct sunlight for about 30 minutes, ensuring it reaches a temperature of at least 250°F (120°C).
- In a skillet, mix diced onion and bell pepper.
- Add black beans and corn kernels to the mix.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of a solar oven-safe baking dish.
- Fill each tortilla with a spoonful of the bean and vegetable mixture, roll it up, and place it seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Once all the enchiladas are rolled and placed in the dish, pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the enchiladas.
- Cover the baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil to help retain heat.
- Place the covered baking dish in the preheated solar oven.
- Bake in the solar oven for about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the intensity of the sunlight and the temperature of your solar oven. Check periodically to ensure the enchiladas are cooking evenly and not getting too brown on top.
- Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the enchiladas are heated through, remove them from the solar oven.
- Let them cool slightly before serving.
- Top with chopped cilantro, and sour cream before serving. Enjoy your solar oven vegetarian enchiladas!
Title of Dish: Butterbeer; Number of Serving :2
- For Butterbeer, you will need 16 ounces of Cream Soda, A tablespoon of Caramel Syrup, and a tub of Whipped Cream
- Pour the Cream Soda into a glass.
- Add the tablespoon of Caramel Syrup to the Cream Soda.
- Stir gently until the caramel syrup is evenly distributed.
- Top the drink with a generous dollop of whipped cream
- Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Butterbeer!
Title of Dish: Jurassic Jungle Salad; Number of Servings: 2
For Jurassic Jungle Salad, you will need 1 head of lettuce, One pack of arugula ,1 pack of Walnuts, 1 Pack of Craisins, Cherry tomatoes ,and 1 lemon,
- Wash and thoroughly dry the lettuce and arugula. Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl.
- Add the arugula to the salad bowl with the torn lettuce leaves.
- Roughly chop the walnuts and sprinkle them over the lettuce and arugula mixture.
- Sprinkle the Craisins (dried cranberries) and cherry tomatoes over the salad.
- Toss the salad gently to combine all the ingredients.
- Top with lemon juice
- Serve immediately as a refreshing and flavorful salad.
Title of Dish: Minion Mugcake; Number of Servings: 2
For Minion Mugcake, you will need 4 tablespoon(s) of flour, 3 tablespoon(s) of sugar, 0.5 teaspoon(s) of baking powder, 3 tablespoon(s) of milk, 1 tablespoon(s) of oil, 1 teaspoon(s) of vanilla extract and 1 pack of food coloring
1. In your mug insert, 4 tablespoon(s) of flour, 3 tablespoon(s) of sugar, 0.5 teaspoon(s) of baking powder, 3 tablespoon(s) of milk, 1 tablespoon(s) of oil, 1 teaspoon(s) of vanilla extract. (As shown in ingredients list) and then add half of the yellow food coloring on one side and the other half on the other side.
2. Cook for about 5-7 minutes in solar oven and take out
3. Decorate plate, then serve!
Team Design Video
Can’t wait to see your solar cooker in action. Good sturdy design. Love your recipes.