- 1). Center the 16-by-16-by-12 box inside the 20-by-20-by-14 box, folding the flaps of the smaller box outward. Fold one pair of opposite flaps on the larger box closed over the smaller box. Mark a line where the flap crosses the top edges of the smaller box. The lines should create a square or rectangle in the corners of each flap. Using a box-cutting utility knife, notch the flaps by cutting along the marked lines and removing this rectangle. Open the flaps. Fold over the remaining two flaps, and mark a line where the flap crosses the edges of the smaller box. Instead of only cutting off the rectangle in the corner, extend the cut line along the width of the flap from the outer edge to the top of the box. Lightly score the flaps along the lengthwise mark for easy folding. Remove the flaps from the smaller box.
- 2). Adhere aluminum foil to the floor and inside walls of the larger box. Extend foil 2 inches over the top of the box, and adhere foil to the flaps of the box. Adhere foil to the inside and outside of all sides of the smaller box.
- 3). Cut four 20-by-14-inch cardboard panels from the extra boxes. Glue foil to each panel. Let dry. Set the panels against the inside wall of the larger boxes with the foil side facing inward. These panels provide extra insulation.
- 4). Slice the empty toilet paper rolls into six 1½-inch rings. Evenly space the rings on the bottom of the larger box. These rings will provide support for the smaller box and cookware and prevent the insulation from getting crushed. Fill the space between and around the rings with insulation such as crumpled newspaper, wool fabric scraps, straw or other nontoxic insulation. Fill only to the tops of the rings.
- 5). Center the smaller box inside the larger box. The box should be resting on all six rings and should be level and stable. If the box is not level and stable, remove the box and adjust any insulation that is over the top of the rings. Fill the gap between the boxes with insulation. Cover the gaps by folding the notched flaps over the edge of the inner box. Glue the flaps to the top and inside wall of the inner box. Let dry.
- 1). Measure and mark a square on the 26-by-26-inch piece of cardboard, centered 3 inches inside the outer edges of the cardboard. Lightly score along these lines for easy folding. Make 4 slits, one at each corner, so that the corners of the lid overlap.
- 2). Measure and cut a window hole that is 14 inches by 14 inches and is centered on the pieces of cardboard. Remove the square. Glue a glass pane or oven bag to the inside of the lid, making sure the glass or plastic covers the hole completely. If using the oven bag, glue the bag closed to prevent condensation.
- 3). Fold the lid edges up, gluing the overlapping corner flap. Let dry. Place the lid on the cooker box.
- 1). Measure and lightly score a line 2 inches from the 20-inch edge of the 20-by-24-inch piece of cardboard. Measure and lightly score a line 4 inches from the same edge
- 2). Glue aluminum foil to one side of the cardboard, stopping at the 4-inch line. Center and glue one 1-by-10-inch cardboard strip to the right-hand side of the reflector. Center and glue one 1-by-10-inch cardboard strip to the top of the lid on the right-hand side, matching the strip on the reflector.
- 3). Fold along the 4-inch line, folding away from the foiled side. Fold along the 2-inch line, folding toward the foiled side, creating a corner fold. Glue the reflector to the box cooker by folding this corner over the back edge of the cooker.
- 4). Make a reflector prop by snipping the length of the bottom of the coat hanger plus 2 inches up the bottom curve of the hanger on both sides. Bend the 2-inch ends to a 90-degree angle. Insert one end of the prop into the corrugation of the cardboard strip of the reflector and the other end into the corrugation of the cardboard strip on the lid of the box. Adjust the reflector to reflect light and heat into the cooker.
previous post