Being able to make an oven out of a cardboard box is one way of improvising if you find yourself in a situation where you need an oven, but a traditional oven is not available.

Best of all, this oven design is so simple that once it is used up, making a new one is quick and easy as long as you have the materials.

Line the inside of your box and lid with aluminum foil. If you’d like, use a sponge and dab some Elmer’s glue around the inside and cover to hold the foil in place (this is especially useful if you plan to keep your box oven, and not just make a new one in an emergency).

Once that’s done, use some scissors or a knife to poke three holes in a straight line on each end of the box, about halfway down from the top. You’ll see what these are for in just a minute.

Meanwhile, straighten out your three hangers.

Put the three straightened hangers through the holes. These will act as a shelf to place your food on.

Next, bend your wires so that they will remain taut inside the oven.

Next, poke some other holes in your box so that oxygen can get in and gases can get out.

Place some charcoals in your round aluminum plate. Light your briquettes.

With your tongs, pick up the hot plate of charcoal

Place your food on the wire racks

And cover with your oven top.

Now just set the timer like normal, or watch the clock. Note: If your recipe calls for a longer baking time (more than 45 minutes to an hour), you will probably have to switch out your charcoals around the 45-minute mark.

It is counter-intuitive to use a cardboard box as an oven, but this amazing design gives you the cooking enclosure you need and in an emergency is quick and easy to build.

In a pinch, if you do not have any other alternatives, this oven can handle just about any type of food you would need an oven to cook.

To learn more about this and other cool survival projects, please visit Crisis Survivor Tips.