Combined Science O-Level Project
Title: Design and Test a Low-Cost Solar Cooker Using Cardboard and Foil
Stage 1 — Problem Identification
1.1 Description of the Problem
In many households, families depend on firewood or charcoal as their main sources of cooking fuel. This
causes deforestation, contributes to indoor air pollution, and raises the cost of living. At the same time,
these communities receive abundant sunlight which is rarely used for cooking.
1.2 Statement of Intent
The purpose of this project is to design and test a low-cost solar cooker that can cook simple meals using
free solar energy. It aims to reduce dependence on firewood and promote environmentally friendly
cooking practices.
1.3 Design / Specifications
The solar cooker will:
[Link] built using a cardboard box lined with aluminium foil.
[Link] a transparent plastic cover to trap heat inside.
[Link] reflector panels to direct sunlight into the cooking chamber.
[Link] tested to determine whether it can heat water and cook light meals.
Stage 2 — Investigation of Related Ideas
2.1 Related Idea 1: Box Solar Cooker
a)Advantages: Easy to construct, safe, retains heat well.
b)Disadvantages: Heats slowly, limited cooking capacity.
2.2 Related Idea 2: Parabolic Solar Cooker
a)Advantages: Very high temperatures, can cook food quickly.
b)Disadvantages: Complex to build, can be dangerous due to concentrated rays.
2.3 Related Idea 3: Panel Solar Cooker
a)Advantages: Lightweight, portable, requires few materials.
b)Disadvantages: Less efficient, loses heat quickly.
2.4 Summary of Findings
The Box Solar Cooker was found to be the most suitable design because it is safe, effective, and simple.
With added reflector panels, it can achieve higher temperatures than the basic version.
Stage 3 — Generation of Ideas
3.1 Possible Solution 1: Small Box Cooker (single layer foil inside)
Merits/Advantages: Very cheap, lightweight, simple to make.
Demerits/Disadvantages: Heats slowly, cannot cook full meals.
3.2 Possible Solution 2: Medium Box Cooker (double cardboard with insulation)
a)Merits/Advantages: Better heat retention, more durable, cooks food more evenly.
b)Demerits/Disadvantages: Requires more materials, slightly slower to construct.
3.3 Possible Solution 3: Box Cooker with Reflector Panels
a)Merits/Advantages: Captures more sunlight, higher internal temperature, suitable for cooking rice and
boiling water.
b)Demerits/Disadvantages: Slightly complex to construct, panels may be affected by wind.
3.4 Overall Presentation
The Box Cooker with Reflector Panels was selected because it combines heat retention and efficiency,
making it more practical for household cooking.
Stage 4 — Development / Refinement
4.1 Indication of Choice
a)The chosen idea was the Box Cooker with Reflector Panels.
4.2 Justification of Choice
a)It uses cheap, locally available materials like cardboard, foil, and plastic.
b)It captures more sunlight and reaches higher cooking temperatures than the other two designs.
4.3 Refinements Made
1. Reflector panels covered with aluminium foil were added to direct more sunlight into the box.
2. A transparent plastic sheet was placed on top to trap heat inside the box.
3. A black-painted cooking tray was placed at the bottom to absorb and retain heat.
4.4 Overall Presentation
The refined design combined simplicity, low cost, and improved performance.
Stage 5 — Presentation of Final Solution and Results
5.1 Materials Used
[Link] box
[Link] foil
[Link] plastic sheet
[Link] paint
[Link] pot or tray
[Link] and tape
5.2 Procedure
1. The inside of the cardboard box was lined with aluminium foil.
2. The base was painted black to absorb sunlight.
3. A transparent plastic sheet was placed on top to trap heat.
4. Reflector panels made from cardboard and foil were attached around the box.
5. A small pot of water was placed inside and exposed to direct sunlight.
5.3 Results
[Link] 30 minutes, the temperature inside reached about 65°C.
[Link] 1 hour, water began boiling and rice could be cooked.
[Link] cooker worked best under strong sunlight and less effectively on cloudy days.
Stage 6 — Evaluation and Recommendations
6.1 Evaluation
The solar cooker successfully heated water and cooked simple meals using only sunlight. It was safe,
environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. The project proved that renewable energy can be used for
everyday cooking in households.
6.2 Recommendations
[Link] insulation by placing cotton or newspaper between cardboard layers.
[Link] plastic with glass to withstand higher temperatures.
[Link] size to allow cooking for larger families.
[Link] a stand to tilt the cooker for maximum sunlight capture.