looking for ideas for a project oven, 110v, 4.5 cf, 225*f

Hey all,

I need to build a 2' x 1.5' x 1.5' (4.5 cf) project oven that holds a 225f temp and plugs into a 110v socket. The important part is that it's pretty close to 225f throughout the interior. 350f at the bottom and 200f at the top is unacceptable

I'm in the planning stages so I'm looking for some ideas on:

1. heating element
2. temperature control
3. insulation material?
4. outer structural material
5. method for "smoothing out" the heat inside

The ideas I had were:

1. 110v adjustable hot plate (for boiling water etc)
2. the adjustability might take care of this, but not sure what to do if it doesn't. some thermostatic 110v switch from mcmaster?
3. I have no idea...
4. naturally I want to weld something up, so maybe 14 gauge mild steel sheet?
5. some sheet metal above the element, with a computer fan inside to move the air around?

I think 120vac is going to be your stumbling block - anything that comes close to meeting the rest of the requirements is probably going to operate on 240vac.

Does it have to be that small (or big, compared to a toaster oven)? If you could go to 240v, would a CL kitchen convection oven work? The fan in a convection oven would help keep temps even throughout.

What about a toaster oven? Rip the guts out and put it in a larger box. I'd be happy with 200 degrees, 225 is max.

It needs to be able to fit a headlight in it, so I could probably get away with 1.5' x 1' x 1'

couldn't you wire a 220v CL oven on 2 110 circuits?... i know somone that did it with a 220v air compressor....

Look for a drying oven, I got rid of one not too long ago. The one I had was 110v and max temp was around 250F. It had and adjustable setting also.

One I got rid of was about the size of a mini fridge. Good luck!

Check out ebay item 290483508026 (expired). Thats one of my items (test oven) that just needs a controller. That might fit the bill or get you some ideas.

Kendall

umm... wow! that's perfect! I wish I could see a blow up of how it's made.