Fresnel Solar Cooker

Has anyone ever used a fresnel solar cooker? It looks easy to build and, most importantly, I can acquire the materials without too much effort or expense. I picked up a bunch of free pallets at Tractor Supply that would be perfect for the frame.

Here are the directions I found: https://graywolfsurvival.com/84068/solar-diy-building-fresnel-solar-cooker/Simple Solar DIY: Building a Fresnel Solar Cooker

 

Try a site search for "solar oven." There's at least one thread that addresses the subject.

 

We had a monkey that built a frame- Gear Review - Fresnel lens solar cooker using TV lens I had a fresnel lens from an old TV but never did anything with it because it was really large and building something like that didn't fit my lifestyle or living arrangements

 

I've been using a Sun Oven off and on for about a year. Cheated and purchased mine. It has the four reflectors and an insulated chamber.

Has no trouble reaching 350 deg F. Last week I cooked a whole chicken in about 1 1/2 hours. The thing is nothing short of amazing. I even cooked a 3 lb roast with potatoes and carrots on a partly cloudy day

 

In the summer we use kerosene burners. Some mornings I don't feel like running out to the summer kitchen to heat up water for coffee. So I only need to heat water up to 200 degrees. The Fresnel solar cooker sounds like it will heat water fast. It's okay if it is big and bulky. I have help available in the morning. My daughter will do anything for hot coffee.

 

Try cooking food, instead of yourself in the oven.

 

I purchased two Fresnel Lens years ago. One had a wide focal point and was suitable for cooking or heating water, but the other had a narrow focal point and would melt glass and some metals. I was hoping to use the narrow focus lens to work glass and metal, and to create a large heat-sink for heating large amounts of water and air. BOTH ARE DANGEROUS!! I need to get them out again and experiment with them.