Lytefire Solar Oven and Cooker

Lytefire is a powerful solar thermal reflector, coupled with an oven or a cooker to support entrepreneurs and DIYers with their energy needs for baking, cooking, canning and more. So it is both a solar cooker and a solar oven.

The Finnish impact company Lytefire is behind the development. They promote DIY building of the design.

They also work with humanitarian organizations (Plan International, World Vision, UNDP) to promote solar thermal entrepreneurship in refugee settlements and low income areas.

The Lytefire is unique because it is powerful (up to 3.5kWp^[1]), yet easy to build with simple materials that are available in any larger town. This makes it possible to build and maintain Lytefire anywhere.

This is achieved by using glass mirror as the reflector. Glass mirror has a 99% efficiency at redirecting sunlight (see Reflective materials) and can be sourced in local glass shops or hardware stores (cut to size). The design uses no glue, mirrors are easily swappable should there be need to replace one.

The design was optimized for DIY building using simple materials, while still delivering sufficient power to enable entrepreneurial activities with the oven.

• Produces 2000 Watts of thermal energy
• Reaches up to 300°C / 572°F
• Width: 2m, length: 3m, height: 2m
• The combined surface of all mirrors is 4 square meters
• Requires a sunny flat space of at least 4.5 m of diameter in which to operate with no shade
• Easy to clean: only water and soap to clean the mirrors
• If properly built and painted, the Lytefire will last about 16 years
• The materials are plain steel, bolts, mirrors and can be found almost everywhere. The price can vary from one retailer to the other so take your time to compare.
• With optimal conditions, it takes 3-4 days to build your Lytefire . Otherwise, count 1-2 weeks.

• Produces 3500 Watts of thermal energy
• Reaches up to 300°C / 572°F (the oven is hot at 240°C after 45min-1 hour)
• Even heat distribution for high quality baking
• Immune to blackouts
• The combined surface of all mirrors is 5 square meters
• Requires a sunny flat space of at least 7 meters of diameter in which to operate with no shade
• Easy to clean: only water and soap to clean the mirrors. Clean the oven as normal.
• If properly built and painted, the Lytefire will last about 16 years
• The materials are regular steel, bolts, and mirrors, and they can be found almost everywhere. The price can vary from one retailer to the other so take your time to compare.
• With good conditions, it takes up to 10 days to build your Lytefire and its oven.

Lytefire has a community of 340 DIY builders (as of May, 2026) and actively promotes DIY building using their construction guides.