There is a wide range of efficient stoves. This variety is the key to the success of household energy projects: stoves must be appropriate to the available fuels, affordable for users, and adapted to local cooking habits. They must take into account the skills of the manufacturers and the availability of materials. Increased use of the following models is currently being promoted.

The newest invention is the Rocket stove. It saves up to 80 percent of energy and is almost entirely smoke-free. It is used by households, schools and catering establishments. Local manufacturers produce this model in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia. The stove costs EUR 12 for households and EUR 250 for catering establishments.

The VESTO burns a range of biomass materials. Ventilation and combustion are highly efficient. It is produced industrially and has so far been sold primarily in South Africa, at a price of around EUR 25.

The JIKO charcoal stove is designed for burning charcoal efficiently and can save up to 50 percent of the fuel used by traditional stoves. It was developed in Kenya but is now made and sold in many African countries. Its price is between EUR 3 and EUR 10.

The UPESI or Mandaleo is a simple clay stove. It costs around EUR 1 and is therefore affordable for a large number of people. By comparison with open fires, the stove saves up to 50 percent of firewood.

Solar cookers: More than 4,000 solar cookers were distributed in South Africa within three years. They cost between EUR 15 and EUR 150. Efficient parabolic cookers cost EUR 70 to EUR 150, while the price of solar boxes ranges from EUR 15 to EUR 50.

The Mirt stove consists of a cement ring and a ceramic plate on which the traditional Ethiopian injera bread is baked. It saves up to 50 percent of the energy used by an open fire and costs between EUR 4 and EUR 6.

Food warmer: Bags and baskets filled with local insulation materials (such as dried banana leaves) enable food to continue cooking at low temperature after initial heating, thereby saving energy.

Technical details at:

• HEDON
  www.hedon.info
• ProBEC
  www.probec.org
• REPP
  www.repp.org/.../stoves/