Efficient Biomass Kitchen Stove Design - 24/11/2025 17:01 EST
Budget: $100 – $350 USD
Objective:
Develop an efficient, durable, and easy-to-use clean cookstove prototype suitable for African households. The stove should be optimized for use with wood, charcoal, or local biomass fuels, leveraging materials and manufacturing methods readily available in Africa (wood, clay, pallets, steel).
Key Features and Requirements:
Combustion Chamber:
Use refractory clay or locally sourced firebricks for the main burning chamber.
Chamber must retain high temperatures to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize smoke.
Insulation:
Integrate insulation using clay mixed with sawdust, rice husks, or other locally abundant materials.
The insulation layer should prevent heat loss and keep exterior surfaces cool for safety.
Outer Shell:
Use sheet steel, recycled metal drums, or locally available sheet metal for the stove’s body.
Rust-proof finishing preferred, but standard galvanizing or painting for durability is acceptable.
Fuel Support & Airflow:
Integrate a metal grate or perforated sheet above air inlets for better combustion.
Design adjustable vents and primary/secondary air channels to optimize airflow.
Pot Support:
Incorporate a robust potholder suitable for flat-bottomed and round-bottomed pots commonly used in Cameroon.
Allow stability for pots with capacities ranging from 2L to 7L.
Ash Removal:
Easy-to-access ash tray or opening for cleaning and maintenance.
Production Method:
Design should be manufacturable using local artisanal fabrication (manual metalworking, clay molding, simple welding).
Dimensions:
Target compact footprint (approximately 40cm diameter, 30cm height), but adjust based on standard Cameroonian household needs.
Safety & Ergonomics:
Include cool-touch handles and rounded edges.
Minimize exposed sharp metal surfaces.
Testing & Standards:
Design should aim to meet or exceed relevant ISO/WHO clean cookstove emissions and efficiency standards.
Include instruction for basic field testing of emissions and fuel consumption.
Examples
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XrZY_CXy9No
https://www.ssmstove.com/cookstove/S32-23.html
I’ll need a package that covers:
• Concept sketches and 3D CAD models that show the overall layout, combustion chamber, insulation layers and oven integration
• A bill of materials with suggested steels, ceramics or refractory liners and any off-the-shelf controls or fans you specify
• Manufacturing drawings suitable for a small fabrication workshop, plus assembly instructions and a simple user manual draft
Concept sketches, highlighting airflow paths and insulation layers.
Please highlight any past work you’ve done with clean-burn or biomass systems and the CAD/CFD tools you prefer. If the first iteration meets efficiency and safety targets, I’m open to a follow-on phase for prototype testing and certification.
Develop an efficient, durable, and easy-to-use clean cookstove prototype suitable for African households. The stove should be optimized for use with wood, charcoal, or local biomass fuels, leveraging materials and manufacturing methods readily available in Africa (wood, clay, pallets, steel).
Key Features and Requirements:
Combustion Chamber:
Use refractory clay or locally sourced firebricks for the main burning chamber.
Chamber must retain high temperatures to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize smoke.
Insulation:
Integrate insulation using clay mixed with sawdust, rice husks, or other locally abundant materials.
The insulation layer should prevent heat loss and keep exterior surfaces cool for safety.
Outer Shell:
Use sheet steel, recycled metal drums, or locally available sheet metal for the stove’s body.
Rust-proof finishing preferred, but standard galvanizing or painting for durability is acceptable.
Fuel Support & Airflow:
Integrate a metal grate or perforated sheet above air inlets for better combustion.
Design adjustable vents and primary/secondary air channels to optimize airflow.
Pot Support:
Incorporate a robust potholder suitable for flat-bottomed and round-bottomed pots commonly used in Cameroon.
Allow stability for pots with capacities ranging from 2L to 7L.
Ash Removal:
Easy-to-access ash tray or opening for cleaning and maintenance.
Production Method:
Design should be manufacturable using local artisanal fabrication (manual metalworking, clay molding, simple welding).
Dimensions:
Target compact footprint (approximately 40cm diameter, 30cm height), but adjust based on standard Cameroonian household needs.
Safety & Ergonomics:
Include cool-touch handles and rounded edges.
Minimize exposed sharp metal surfaces.
Testing & Standards:
Design should aim to meet or exceed relevant ISO/WHO clean cookstove emissions and efficiency standards.
Include instruction for basic field testing of emissions and fuel consumption.
Examples
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XrZY_CXy9No
https://www.ssmstove.com/cookstove/S32-23.html
I’ll need a package that covers:
• Concept sketches and 3D CAD models that show the overall layout, combustion chamber, insulation layers and oven integration
• A bill of materials with suggested steels, ceramics or refractory liners and any off-the-shelf controls or fans you specify
• Manufacturing drawings suitable for a small fabrication workshop, plus assembly instructions and a simple user manual draft
Concept sketches, highlighting airflow paths and insulation layers.
Please highlight any past work you’ve done with clean-burn or biomass systems and the CAD/CFD tools you prefer. If the first iteration meets efficiency and safety targets, I’m open to a follow-on phase for prototype testing and certification.