Omelet wrote:
>
> In article >,
> "Pete C." > wrote:
>
> > > > Consider using good heavy aluminized mylar instead of mirror tiles. A
> > > > lot less weight, less fragile and you can just cut suitable pie wedges
> > > > to attach with spray glue. Also cheap and easy to replace if damaged or
> > > > deteriorated.
> > >
> > > You mean like one of those "emergency" blankets?
> >
> > I was thinking a heavier version, something like 6mil that will have
> > some chance of laying down reasonably smoothly.
>
> I'd have to see if I could find it and what it would cost.
> I'm not worried about weight if I can get broken mirror for free. :-)

You should be able to find heavier mylar in like 2'x3' sheets at a good
art / craft supply place for a few $.

>
> > > > Various solar cooker designs at: http://www.solarcooking.org/plans/
> > >
> > > Hey that's a website I'd missed in my Googling.
> >
> > I found that a while back, amazingly remembered I'd bookmarked it and
> > amazingly it still exists.
>
> Ya did good. <hugs>
>
> I'm seriously interested in taking advantage of summer heat here.
> No real reason not to.

I've got an ambitious solar project on the drawing board for when I have
some time. The parabolic collector is 10' dia

>
> I'd have to re-learn cooking times and figure out thermometers, but I'm
> ok with that. :-)

A regular oven meat thermometer stuck through the foam insulation board
into the oven space should do fine. An electronic remote one would be a
bit more accurate and perhaps more convenient.

>
> If worse comes to worse, I could just buy a solar cooker, but I'd have a
> lot more personal satisfaction building one.

To me, everything is a DIY project, particularly if I can use it as an
excuse for more tools.