Method

Panel Design

The Solar Kettle is basically formed using 12 panels. The diagram on the left shows the measurements that are required. You will need 12 identical panels.

When the panels are completed they should then be covered on one side with aluminium foil. It is important to take your time on the sticking down of the aluminium foil as this is the main part where the sun and heat are reflected. After a bit of trial and error I found it useful to use PVA glue watered down in a 2:1 ratio (1 glue two water) as a base coat and let it dry out to form a base. When dried out I then stuck my aluminium sheets down with a 3:1 solution. I found it much easier to have a strip larger than the panel and smoothed down with a DRY and CLEAN cloth. Make sure NO glue gets on the reflective side as this will decrease its reflective properties. Leave to dry.

Making the kettle

You will have already noted that the panels are an irregular shape. The reason for this is so that when the panels are joined together correctly they will form a basic parabolic reflector...this is the secret of why it works. The diagram above is not to scale and it is strongly suggested that you create a template.My template was created using some old wallpaper. I did not drwa around it but marked the corners with a compass point and then joined them up using a ruler and felt tipped pen.

Joining the panels

The longer ( 370mm) sides of the panels must now be joined. Ensure that the shorter (230mm) sides are not taped at theis point. Using 500mm duct tape, tape the long edges of the panels together and continue to do so until a large cylinder is created.

Looking at the image on the left as a guide, bend each flap, 90 degrees to each panel and make a hole with a pencil in the centre of each crease. Now thread some string through each hole ( I found it easier by prodding it through with a screwdriver). Once all of the paneld have been threaded pull tight. Don't be afraid at this point as there will be a lot of stretching noises, it won't snap, I promise. Once you have tightened it up as far as you can tie off the string in a double bow. You now have a usable Solar Kettle.

Making the cooking pot

Get a small 100ml can, I used an old Gordon's Gin and Tonic can as I found it had the exact internal diameter to that of an egg. Carefully cut of the top of the can using either wire clippers or a multi-tool drill. Once done, ensure that the edges are either bent done or ground down as they are very, very sharp.

Paint the can with black matt emulsion and leave to dry. I found that placing it actually in my kettle made it dry in under 2 minutes!!!!!!

Setting it up

You will see from the top picture that I used a couple of ordinary garden canes and a kitty littler tray that was near the back door. I then spent a little time adjusting it so that the mouth of the kettle was pointing directly at the sun. Just to make sure place your forearm through the hole at the bottom and feel the heat halfway up your arm. This will give yo a guide to where the focal point is in the kettle. I then placed a small garden tile joust below this point so the cooking pot was sitting within this point.

Fill your cooking pot halfway up with water and carefully place an egg in it. Cover the top with a black tin lid and place on the tile. I found that by placing a piece of aluminium foil under the hole at the back the kettle becomes more efficient. Leave your egg to cook for about 1 hour. Be warned do not touch the cooking pot without a glove or cloth as it does get very hot. I actually got blistered by it!!!!!!!

Another very successful KTS project