Solar Hot Dog Cooker

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Procedure: Drive nail into middle of 28-inch to 30-inch-long 2-by-8, 1/4-inch in from one edge. Then — using the nail as a pivot — swing and slide a framing square so that its corner moves precisely along the 2-by-8's opposite edge. Stop the square frequently as you move it along and, with a pencil, draw a series of overlapping lines along the square's other leg as shown. These overlapping lines will describe a perfect (for this solar hot dog cooker) parabolic curve.
Procedure: Drive nail into middle of 28-inch to 30-inch-long 2-by-8, 1/4-inch in from one edge. Then — using the nail as a pivot — swing and slide a framing square so that its corner moves precisely along the 2-by-8's opposite edge. Stop the square frequently as you move it along and, with a pencil, draw a series of overlapping lines along the square's other leg as shown. These overlapping lines will describe a perfect (for this solar hot dog cooker) parabolic curve.
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The squared bead in front allows you to rotate skewer one-quarter turn so that your hot dogs will be cooked to perfection.
The squared bead in front allows you to rotate skewer one-quarter turn so that your hot dogs will be cooked to perfection.
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Make your very own solar hot dog cooker which can save you both time and money.
Make your very own solar hot dog cooker which can save you both time and money.

Here’s just the thing to add a little extra fun and excitement to all those outdoor excursions, picnics, and cookouts that your family will be enjoying during the coming months. It’s a solar hot dog cooker built of wood, a few pieces of hardware, and either reflective mylar or something called Flex-Sheet-Mirror. The whole shebang can be put together for less than $30 … much less if you’re good at scrounging. (Note: Click on the Image Gallery link above for more illustrations and details about building this solar hot dog cooker.)

Materials to Build a Solar Hot Dog Cooker

2 each: 2-by-8-by-28-inch to 30-inch lumber
1 each: 1/8-by-26-by-32-inch paneling
2 each: 3/4-by-1-by-20-inch pine
1 each: 1/8-inch or 3/16-inch diameter stainless steel welding rod
4 each: 3 large, 1 small wooden beads to fit rod
1 each: 1/4-by-2-inch wooden dowel
2 each: 1/4-by-3-inch carriage bolts with nuts and flat washers
1 each: glue and paint as needed
2 each: 18-by-24-inch Flex-Sheet-Mirror*

*Flex-Sheet-Mirror costs about $3.50 a square foot in 1978. You’ll need six square feet, or $21 worth. Or you can do the same job for less money by substituting two sheets of 12-by-36-inch 2-mil reflective mylar. The mylar was priced at $3.75 a sheet in 1978. The mylar will do the job … it just won’t last as long as the mirrors.

Building the Solar Hot Dog Cooker

  • Published on Mar 1, 1978
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