More about the Low Smoke ChulhaOctober 2011

Chulha context Killer in the kitchenRespiratory illness affects the health of the huge number of low-income people living in rural, underserved areas of the world who still cook indoors with biomass fuels (e.g. wood, crop residue, charcoal or dung). 2.4 billion people, which is more than a third of the entire global population, use biomass as their primary source of energy for cooking and heating. If you include coal, the number rises to 3 billion. This is having a disastrous effect on peoples health.

The propositionA low cost, low smoke stoveTogether with multiple local stakeholders various versions of a stove (Chulha) were developed. With potential users, localstove entrepreneurs and a few NGOs parameters were defined, concepts refined and initial propositions tested to jointly come up with the final proposition.

Two versionsThere are two different Chulha smokeless stoves; Sampoorna and Saral. The Sampoorna is an all-in-one unit intended for cooking/boiling and with an integrated steamer for preparing rice, lentils etc. The Saral is the more basic version without accessories. Both stove types are made of concrete and coated with local clay.Saral chulhaSampoorna chulha

Benefits of the ChulhaSocial benefits Less time spent cooking and collecting wood Reduction in indoor air pollution means healthier women and healthier familiesThe slow cooking chulha fits the lifestyle and nutritional needs of this region wellBuying a smart solution gives pride of ownershipMore living space up as less firewood stored

Economic benefits Fit with all types of biomass fuel makes the chulha an economical cooking solution No recurring or running costs Modular construction gives chulha a longer life Less indoor pollution means healthier families and less spending on medical care Employment generation through local fabrication and creation of entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs earn significant supplementary income making and selling chulhas

Environmental benefits Lower fuel wood consumption Less need to cut trees for firewood, therefore increased green coverReduced carbon emissions and indoor air pollution levels

Health benefits Healthier indoor air quality benefits young children and women who spend maximum amount of time in and around the kitchenEasy cleaning option reduces risk of injury

The propositionKey stakeholdersNGO:The NGO is actively involved in propagating this healthy cooking solution among communities. They spread awareness about the stove and its advantages in villages.

Stove-makers:The stove-maker is the person who sets up the required infrastructure to make and sell the stoves.

Mold-makers:The mold-maker makes the actual molds that are used to cast the stove pieces.

Suppliers:Suppliers provide the raw materials for the stove, as well as stove parts like the chimney and steam cooker.Stove-users:Stove users are the buyers of the Low Smoke Chulha. A satisfied stove-user is the best promoter of this cooking solution.

Sponsor:Sponsors can assist in all or part of the stove dissemination process. From financing chulha molds or materials for the stove-makers, to arranging micro loans sponsors have a pivotal role in making deployment of the stove a reality.

The propositionKey stakeholdersNGOStove makerStove userfacilitatorentrepreneurend-userMold supplierMaterial supplierSponsor

TopCast in cement concrete functions as the top surface for the stove, has two pot holesChimney mounting bracket Cast in cement concrete acts as a wall bracket to support the chimney pipes.Fire chamberCast in cement concrete functions as the main combustion chamber where fuel (biomass) is burnt.Chimney chamberCast in cement concrete , is used to link the stove with chimneyChimneyA cement / clay / terracotta pipe commercially available.GrateCast iron grate functions as a bed for burning the fuel, drops the ash and provided air for burning from below.Chimney capA sheet metal or cement or clay cap, prevents rain water entering the chimney and allows smoke exit.Chimney chamber coverCast in cement concrete covers the chimney chamber.All the cement concrete parts are clad with earthen red paint

* The Samporna chulha comes with a steam cooker which is fabricated with aluminum, has 3 SS containers and steam cooks food on the second pot hole. Chimney bracket coverCast in cement concrete, works as cover for the bracket and facilitates chimney cleaning from within the house.TunnelCast in cement concrete functions as the duct for fire propagation.SupportCast in cement concrete functions as the tunnel supportBack coverCast in cement concrete functions as the back coverClipSheet metal strip to fix the chimney pipe to the wall.LabelA place where the Stove name / message can be writtenSoot collector platesCast in cement concrete/ clay , helps in arresting soot partials in the mid way and keeps chimney clean used to link the stove with chimneyFront coverCast in cement concrete covers the area below tunnel.Brick platform baseBuilt with a layer of bricks. The stoves Parts explained

The stoves Modular constructionCommon partsSaral partsSampoorna partsSampoorna stove Saral stove

The stoves Modular construction

Stove detailsFeatures of Saral and SampoornaModular approach to address - lighter many parts, reduced thermal stress resulting in durability and long lasting stove parts Improved chimney cleaner with help of chimney wall bracket Soot collector in chimney chamber, arrest more than half of carbon particles from entering into chimney Three part chimney construction for easy cleaning within By pass tunnel helps in even distribution of flame for fist pot Ash pit below the grate helps in secondary draft and for removal of ash. Sampoorna has a steel cooker helps in cooking rice / lentils and vegetables without burning.

By pass duct for efficient draftSoot collector for less soot depositDetachable chimney connector for easy cleaning