Solar S'mores Maker
Introduction: Solar S'mores Maker
Hello! Today I will be showing you how to make a solar s'mores maker. I will also be explaining the science behind it. It's fun and simple. I hope you enjoy it!
Step 1: Materials
* Aluminum foil
* Box (I used a shoe box)
* Saran Wrap
* Styrofoam sheet - 2 inch thick
* Construction Paper
* Duct Tape
* Hot Glue Gun
* Hot Glue Sticks
* Packing Tape or aluminum foil tape
* Thermometer
* Pencil
* Marker
* Cardboard cutter
* Ruler
The measurements are up to you for this build. It also depends on the size of your box.
Step 2: Measuring the Box and Marking the Foam
Using a ruler, measure the inside of the box. Then use a marker and mark the Styrofoam the exact size of the box.
Step 3: Cut the Styrofoam
After you made the marks on the Styrofoam, cut it out using the box cutter. Put the Styrofoam at the bottom of the box, as seen in the picture.
Step 4: Styrofoam on All the Insides
Now measure all the insides of the box and mark it on the Styrofoam. Cut the pieces out and place it in the box as shown in the picture. The Styrofoam is used as insulation. It keeps the of the s'mores maker hot by trapping the air inside.
Step 5: Duct Tape
Use duct tape to seal the edges on the Styrofoam so no gaps are seen.
Step 6: Put on Construction Paper
Using black construction paper, measure it to cover all of the Styrofoam. It is okay if you can see the top edge of the Styrofoam.
Step 7: More Duct Tape (Optional)
If you can see some Styrofoam even after adding all the construction paper, add some more duct tape. As seen in the images, I added some duct tape in one corner since I saw some Styrofoam.
Step 8: Aluminum Foil
After all of the inside is covered with Styrofoam, use packing tape to tape the aluminum foil on the inside part of the lid of the box. You could also use aluminum foil tape, which is what I used.
Step 9: Cooking the S'more(s)
Grab your marshmallow, graham cracker, and chocolate and place them in the middle of the box. (I chose to cook a marshmallow and one graham cracker). Put a thermometer in the box as well so you can check the temperature. Take the saran wrap and place it onto the opening of box with the lid open (see image). Place the s'mores maker outside on a sunny day (preferably less to no wind). 6
Now the lid must be kept open. I used a pencil to hold it open at approximately 60 to 65 degrees. see image, Since there was a breeze when I was cooking my s'mores, the box moved around and that moved my marshmallow inside the box. As seen in the image the marshmallow isn't on the gram cracker. I had taped the saran wrap to the box. I did not want to remove the tape as it would damage the saran wrap. So best to do this with no wind.
Step 10: All Done!
All done! I hope you enjoy making this s'mores maker as much as I did. Enjoy your s'mores!!
Step 11: Science of a S'mores Maker
A solar s'mores maker is a box that captures the Sun's energy, making the air within the box hotter than the air outside. Saran wrap is used to keep the hot air inside. The marshmallows will take about 5 - 10 minutes to become soft. It will take about 30 - 60 minutes to melt. It also depends on how the Sun directly shines on the maker. When I cooked my marshmallow and graham cracker, the temperature inside the s'mores maker was 85 degrees Celsius.
Step 12: Tips
1. I recommend choosing a sunny day with no wind. I did it on a windy day which caused my s'mores maker to keep moving.
2. Make sure the aluminum foil covering the inside of the lid has no wrinkles. My aluminum foil had few wrinkles and that caused the rays to not hit the box properly. 643