Best material for a solar cooker reflector?
#1
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Best material for a solar cooker reflector?
I'm constructing a parabolic solar cooker for a science project, where I need the temperature to reach about the 400-500F range. I'm constructing my own parabolic reflector for the cooker out of a used satellite dish that we have that's roughly about 30" in diameter. I tried a test run in which I covered it in aluminum foil, though some areas wrinkled a bit and I had to put duct tape over some places, which further hindered the reflectivity. However, the test run only reached temperatures of at most 120 F, far below the range I wanted it to be. My question was if the material that I put on the surface of the satellite dish is not the best for this purpose, or if the dish was not angled properly (I tried placing the dish on the ground and angled up against a chair in afternoon sunlight). I've seen others do such a project flawlessly, so it is most likely the material on the dish? (Should I consider using other, more reflective material such as mylar, chrome tape (which type of tape, duct, vinyl, etc.) or chrome (spray) paint?)
#2
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Aluminized mylar would probably be a better reflector but I don't think that is your problem. Possibly your target is not at the focal point or you are not aligned with the sun. A 30" reflector can very easily make 120f. Even if you cover your dish with a perfect reflective material it still will not work if it's not aimed properly.
#3
You might look at Edmund Scientifics: educational toys, gifts, hobby supplies & science equipment to get some ideas.
#4
chrome tape
Another option is to paint it with chrome paint.