Two proven DIY methods for converting an old offset parabolic satellite dish into a solar cooker! These are two different satellite dishes I converted for solar cooking...one satellite dish was sanded and polished, and the other satellite dish is made using reflective vinyl strips. Please note, this experiment wasn't about cooking speed, but how to utilize free solar energy. This design was made to slow cook food like a sous vide cooker, or crockpot...not to create a full boil...as slow-cooked foods can taste better! Sanding and polishing a parabolic dish takes much longer but is more permanent. For the first dish, I wanted to sand and polish to as close to a mirror finish as the metal would allow. For the second dish, I lightly sanded, then added a light coat of paint to smooth out the surface, and used vinyl strips. Using the reflective vinyl strips is faster but they require replacing over time. Some metals polish better than others, and some dishes benefit more from the strips. Hope this video helps to show you how! Solar cooking can help reduce deforestation, soil erosion, and even pasteurize water where there’s a limited supply. And it's FUN!
