The Beast Copenhagen Solar Cooker.

The Beast Copenhagen Grande - 2 Gallon (7.57L) Solar Cooker with 12" (30.48cm) square base. It can hold up to 12" (30.48cm) pans or 9 quart canning jars. I took a design I had invented several years ago and reimagined it as a large camp cooker. The smaller version can cook 3 frozen chicken breasts in 1.5 hours. The chicken is so tender and tasty. This larger version can cook far more food in the same time because of the larger solar collecting area. It's water capacity is 6 times more than the most common solar tube cooker and you could make 20 of these for the same price you would pay for a tube cooker. These are the instructions on how to build your own Beast Copenhagen Solar Cooker. It can pasteurize 2 gallons (7.57L) of water in 2 hours. It is made with 8 sheets of standard poster board, foil, glue and a wood base. It can also be used for heating water to wash dishes or clothes or have a warm sponge bath. If you are cold at night open it flat and put it under your sleeping bag. Lost? It makes a great signal device in the day time. Reflect lantern light with it. Open flat on ground for serving table at campsite.

Poster paper is sold in 22" x 28" (55.88cm x 71cm) size sheets.

Cut 8 sheets of poster paper into 22" (55.88cm) squares.

Spread glue evenly on one sheet and lay a second sheet on top of the glued sheet.

Do this 4 times to make the 4 panels or petals for the solar cooker.

Decorating the panels is just a matter of choice. I chose to use sponges and craft paint to make a random pattern on the petals/panels. When the paints dried I sealed it with Mod Podge.

In this picture I have used a self-stick mirror vinyl but the shiny side of foil and some reflective gift wrap can be used. I have even used reflectix or foil tape if I cant find the other materials. They all work if shiny enough.

Cut two 12" (30.48cm) squares of 1/8th" (.342cm) Birch plywood.

Draw an X from corner to corner. Starting 1/4" (.635cm) from corners drill first hole then another 2" (50cm) nearer the center until you reach the center.

Find a large area to lay out the panels flat with the corners touching.

Put the wood base pieces together and begin to lace them together. Thread the first lace under the 2 boards and up through the corner holes, make sure you have the same length on each side, then through the holes leading to the center. Do the same for the holes on the opposite side. Pull the 4 ends of the laces through the center (enlarge the hole a little if they don't all fit through) Then slip each corner of each panel in between the wood base pieces. Hold in place and punch a hole through the corner of each panel at the point drilled 1.5 inches 3.81cm from center hole. Pull laces down under base through that hole. Tie laces together and your Copenhagen Grande Solar Cooker is done.

Once the panels are secured to the base with the shoelace, take each panel, one at a time, and fold a crease at the edge of the base piece.

When all 4 panels are creased then curve the panels into an open cone shape and clip panels together where they meet. If the panels are a little heavy use a small bungee cord to hold them together.

To cook with the "Beast" Copenhagen Solar Cooker you must adjust the panels with the clips to get the maximum amount of sun on the center base piece or pan you are using to cook with.

The reflected focus is so good in this picture that the wood appears to be made of reflector material but it is plain wood.

With this" Beast" Copenhagen Solar Cooker you can cook for a large group and pasteurize a lot of water. The base measures 12" (30.48cm) and will hold large cooking pots. The cost to make it is low. If made with foil it should cost about $8 to make.

The materials list is:

8 Sheets of 22" x 28" (55.88cm x 71cm) poster paper

2 pieces of Birch plywood 12" x 12" (30.48 x 30.48)

2 glue bottles

4 bulldog binder clips

2 shoelaces 36" (91cm)

aluminum foil or self-stick reflective Mylar.