A Bengaluru resident’s simple cooking solution is now getting attention as restaurants face problems due to LPG supply issues. His idea, created years ago, is now being looked at as a useful option during
the shortage.
Ashok Urs, a 65-year-old who earlier worked with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, has developed a fuel-saving “rocket stove.” He originally built it to help people in rural areas who depend on firewood for cooking.
Built To Reduce Wood Use And Smoke In Kitchens
Ashok Urs said the idea came from seeing how much wood people use in rural kitchens and how much smoke it creates. He wanted to show that cooking can be done using less fuel.
“In many rural areas, people still cook on open fires that consume large amounts of wood and produce a lot of smoke. I wanted to show that the same work can be done with far less fuel,” he said as quoted by The Hindu.
In many homes, especially in villages, cooking with firewood means spending long hours in smoky spaces. This can cause discomfort and affect health. The rocket stove was designed to reduce this problem by producing much less smoke.
Simple Design Helps Fuel Burn Better
The rocket stove is a small, wood-burning stove that is designed to use fuel more efficiently. It has a special L-shaped chamber that helps air flow better and creates stronger heat.
Because of this design, small items like twigs, dry leaves, coconut shells, and other waste materials can be used as fuel. These burn more completely and at a higher temperature compared to regular stoves.
As a result, the stove needs only a small amount of fuel but still produces enough heat for cooking. It also reduces the amount of firewood needed compared to traditional methods.
Bengaluru man’s ‘rocket stove’ draws attention amid LPG crisis
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Now Gaining Interest From City Eateries
Ashok Urs has reportedly been showing this stove at different events, including open days at the Indian Institute of Science, to spread awareness about its use.
Each stove costs around Rs 3,000, as per The Hindu. While it was first made for rural households, it is now getting attention from small restaurants in Bengaluru due to the current LPG supply issues.
According to him, some eateries are exploring if this stove can be used as a temporary option until regular gas supply returns.
