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Smoke-free, less fuel: hot cooking style

— Photo: Special Arrangement

Handy alternative: A woman cooks using a fuel efficient smokeless ‘chula’ in Puducherry.

PUDUCHERRY: If you are looking for a smoke-free cooking experience, that too with a noticeable reduction in fuel consumption, then the ‘fuel efficient smokeless chulas’ can come in handy.

The fuel-efficient stove, a creation of the Centre for Sustainable Technology of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, is being used in Puducherry from 2005. The implementation is being carried out by the Centre for Ecology and Rural Development, the Research and Development wing of the Pondicherry Science Forum.

“The stove is being promoted through the Women Technology Park. It has been well-received by users for its high fuel efficiency, faster cooking than with LPG, low heat radiation and almost nil indoor air pollution. It is a three-pan energy efficient and smokeless chula,” D. Hema, programme coordinator of Centre for Ecology and Rural Development said.

Till date, 15 stoves have been installed in hotels and 40 in houses. Being compact, durable and low-cost, the stoves provided the advantage of simultaneous cooking in three vessels with a single fuel feeding point, she added.

The stoves are also compatible with a wide range of solid bio-fuels.

“Apart from these, the stoves reduce fuel consumption up to 40 percent when compared to the conventional open cooking. It also reduces the time for cooking owing to heat recovery mechanism,” Ms. Hema said.

The cost of installation of the stoves for households is Rs.2,250, while it is Rs.10,600 for hotels.

The stoves had been displayed at exhibitions conducted by the Renewable Energy Agency of Pondicherry. The agency is offering a 30 per cent subsidy for household and community stoves.

Adding to its benefits, the stoves could prevent respiratory disorders in women by offering a smoke-free cooking experience. It is easy to install and operate, with low maintenance costs. “The stoves can be used by marriage halls, religious institutions and hostels for cooking for a large number of persons. Stoves for cooking for even 300 to 1,000 persons are available.”

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