Branch of Science: Earth Science
Concept: Solar Power

SOLAR HOT DOG COOKER

Hot dogs and potato chips make great picnic food. You can have both with this project. Finish the chips. Then cook the dog. The best part is the sun does all the work.

You’ll Need:

• Clean, dry potato chip tube
• Ruler
• Marker
• Utility knife
• Pushpin
• Small nail
• Hammer
• Wooden skewer
• Wood clothespin
• Hot glue gun
• Hot dog
• 9 inch (23 cm) x 4 inch(10 cm) piece of clear plastic bag
• Packing tape

Safety First: Have an adult help out when using hot glue and sharp tools such as a utility knife.

Put It Together:

1. Measure and make a mark 1 inch (2.5 cm) from each end of the tube. With the tube standing, set the ruler next to it as a straightedge to connect the marks. Draw a line to connect the marks.
2. Draw another line 3 inches (7.6 cm) from this line and parallel to it.
3. Connect the ends of the lines to make a rectangle.

   

4. Use the utility knife to cut out the rectangle. Save this piece for later.
5. With the lid on the tube, use the pushpin to make a hole in the lid’s center.
6. Remove the lid, and place it over the metal end of the tube.
7. Using the lid as a guide, punch a hole into the metal’s center with the nail and hammer.
8. Stick the skewer through the bottom of the can. Leave its point sticking slightly out of the top of the can.
9. To make the base for the cooker, remove the spring from the clothespin.
10. Place the clothespin halves flat side down. Place them parallel to each other 4 inches (10 cm) apart.
11. Put a dab of hot glue at the spots where the spring was connected. Set the cutout from Step 4 across the clothespin halves. This forms the base for the cooker.

    

12. Thread a hot dog onto the skewer. Replace the lid. Make sure the skewer pokes through the lid.

    

13. Lay the cooker on the base.
14. Place the plastic over the opening. Tape one of the long sides to the cooker.
15. Place the cooker in a sunny place. Rotate the cooker on the base so that the hot dog faces the sun.
16. Wait 15 to 30 minutes for the hot dog to cook. Lift the plastic flap to test if it is ready. Enjoy!

Reusable Knowledge

The sun is a powerful energy source. On a sunny day, the sun supplies 100 watts of energy per 1 square foot (0.1 square meter). That’s enough to light up a bright lightbulb. The secret to this project is capturing and focusing that power. The metallic curved shape of the cooker does just that.