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Title: Improved cookstoves
Source:Dr. Dieter Seifert
Year:2015

Background. About one billion cubic meters of firewood are burned in an unsustainable way every year. More than 2 billion people are affected by the fuelwood crisis. The induced carbon dioxide emissions correspond approximately to the carbon dioxide emissions of Germany. For overcoming the firewood crisis it is vital that the demand for wood is reduced to a great extent. Improved cookstoves are an important factor to overcome the firewood crisis.

About the technology. The Ben 2 and Ben 3 Firewood Stoves serve for cooking in pots up to 28 cm in diameter (Ben 2) or 28 cm to 32 cm or more in diameter (Ben 3). The efficiency is high due to the proper combustion and the advantageous heat transfer to the pot, caused by the special firewood grate and the adapted stove shell. If solar technology is applied in addition, then the demand for wood can be reduced to less than one kg per day per household, even if additional tasks (boiling large quantities of water, conserving fruits, etc.) are carried out with the solar cooker.

The operation of the stove is easy, both kindling, as well as the maintenance of the fire on the firewood grate. The stove weighs only about 3 kg; it is portable and can be produced with simple tools (optionally without any machine) of conventional mild steel. In the case of local production especially in developing countries the manufacturing costs are very low. Thus, the expense can often be saved already in a month. Due to the low costs and high savings, the household may install more than one cooker (or several stove shells), suitable to the pots and pans used.


Outcome/Benefits: The operation can be learned in less than an hour, because it is probably easier to operate than a three stones fire (much easier to start and maintain the fire, due to effective primary air supply under the grate). The stove can be easily produced without requiring special materials or tools because intentionally no insulation is provided and the unhindered primary and secondary air flow enables sufficient low temperature for the thin steel sheets.

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