Design Principles for Wood

Burning Cook Stoves

Aprovecho Research Center

Shell Foundation
Partnership for Clean Indoor Air
The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air was launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and other leading partners at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in September
2002 to improve health, livelihood, and quality of life by reducing exposure to indoor air pollution, primarily
among women and children, from household energy use. Over 80 organizations are working together to
increase the use of clean, reliable, affordable, efficient, and safe home cooking and heating practices that
reduce people’s exposure to indoor air pollution in developing countries. For more information, or to join the
Partnership, visit www.PCIAonline.org.

This document was developed by Aprovecho Research Center under a grant from the Shell Foundation to
provide technical support to household energy and health projects to ensure that their designs represent
technical best practice. The principle authors of this booklet include: Dr. Mark Bryden, Dean Still, Peter Scott,
Geoff Hoffa, Damon Ogle, Rob Balis, and Ken Goyer.

Indoor air pollution causes significant health problems for the 2 billion people worldwide that rely on
traditional biomass fuels for their cooking and heating needs. Over the last 30 years, awareness of the
environmental and social costs of using traditional fuels and stoves and knowledge about how to reduce
emissions from these stoves has grown. Yet the improved stoves currently available to poorer customers do
not always represent best practice or an understanding of design based on modern engineering. The
knowledge required to design cleaner burning stoves exists in centers of excellence in several locations
around the world. Providing this information to those involved in promoting improved stoves is a necessary
first step to reducing indoor air pollution exposure for stove users.

Aprovecho is a center for research, experimentation and education on alternative technologies that are
ecologically sustainable and culturally responsive. The Advanced Studies in Appropriate Technology
laboratory at Aprovecho works to develop energy efficient, nonpolluting, renewable technologies that reflect
current research but which are designed to be made in most any country. The center is located on a beautiful
40-acre land trust near Eugene, Oregon. For more information on Aprovecho, visit www.Aprovecho.net.

Illustrations: Mike Van, Jayme Vineyard, and Ethan Hughes

Design Principles for Wood Burning
Cook Stoves
Dr. Mark Bryden, Dean Still, Peter Scott, Geoff Hoffa, Damon Ogle,
Rob Bailis, Ken Goyer

Table of Contents

Introduction .....................................................................................................5-6

Chapter 1 - Stove Theory ................................................................................7-11

Chapter 2 - Ten Design Principles .................................................................12-16

Chapter 3 - Designing Stoves with Baldwin and Winiarski ............................17-25

Chapter 4 - Options For Combustion Chambers ..........................................26-29

Chapter 5 - In Field Water Boiling Test ..........................................................30-35

Appendix - Glossary of Terms .......................................................................37-38

Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves

4
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Introduction

Introduction

Proven Strategies and have great worth changes the perspective of

scientists who are trying to address the causes of
Indoor air pollution causes significant health
human suffering. Watching how experts operated
problems for the 2 billion people worldwide who
the open fire has taught engineers how to design
rely on biomass fuels for their cooking and heating
even better stoves. Modern cook stoves are
needs. Over the last 30 years awareness of the
designed to clean up combustion first. Then the
environmental and social costs of using traditional
hot gases can be forced to contact the pot
fuels and stoves has grown. At the same time,
increasing efficiency without increasing harmful
studies of the problem have resulted in proven
emissions.
strategies to reduce both fuel use and harmful
emissions. Unfortunately, the local stoves currently
Fires can be clean burning when expert cooks push
available do not always represent the best designs
the sticks of wood into the fire as they burn,
that modern engineering can offer. This booklet is
metering the fuel. The open fire can be a hot fire
an attempt to address the problem by summarizing
useful when food or drink needs to be prepared
some of the advances in stove theory and design.
quickly. The
Understanding these concepts would be useful to
energy goes
administrators of stove projects, policy makers,
into the pot,
field workers, and cooks alike.
not into the
cold body of
Although open fires are often used wastefully,
a stove. The
carefully operated open fires can be fuel efficient
open fire can
and clean burning when tested in the lab. In many
burn wood
situations, cooks are not overly concerned with fuel
without
use, and studies have shown that when fuel is
making a lot Figure 1 - Traditional Wood Fire
plentiful three-stone fires can use an excessive
of smoke; hot
amount of wood to cook a small amount of food.
fires burn smoke as it is released from the wood.
But in other places where fuel is scarce, open fires
Unfortunately however, many fires used for
can be carefully controlled so that fuel efficiency
cooking are built emphasizing simplicity of use and
rivals many first generation improved cook stoves.
are wasteful and polluting.
How an operator controls the open fire makes the
Modern stoves score higher when tested than even
difference, as in the use of other tools. In the
the most carefully operated fire in the laboratory.
seventies and early eighties, open fires were
Good stoves can offer many advantages. Stoves do
generally characterized as being basically
much more than save wood and reduce smoke.
inefficient. But it was by analyzing the open fire
How the stove cooks food is usually most
that researchers were able to develop truly
important to the users!
improved stoves. Dr. Grant Ballard-Tremeer and
Dr. Kirk Smith were foremost among those who
Improved stoves can make cooking with fire easier,
found that the three stone fire could be both more
safer, faster, and can add to the beauty of the
fuel efficient and cleaner burning than some
kitchen. A good stove is quicker to start, needs little
“improved” cook stoves.
tending, and can meet the specific needs of a cook.
The successful design is appreciated as an addition
Respecting that indigenous technologies are
to the quality of life and usually these concerns far
evolved from countless years of experimentation
outweigh scores on a test.

5
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Introduction

Decades of Investigation Respect for local knowledge

Many investigators have contributed to a We hope that the following design principles add to
modern understanding of the thermodynamics a project, highlighting the respect and inclusion of
of cooking stoves. The scientific study of wood local knowledge. A sensitivity and appreciation of
burning stoves has reached the point where a local knowledge supports a two-way information
great deal of consensus now exists about how exchange, learning from the expertise of local
stoves function. Dr. Larry Winiarski has people and their technology while sharing
studied combustion and wood burning cooking knowledge.
stoves for more than thirty years. He has
helped organizations build thousands of stoves Hopefully, sharing design principles is more
in countries around the world. Dr. Winiarski is inclusive than promoting a static stove design.
the Technical Director of the Aprovecho The literature frequently points out that local
Research Center, where stoves have been a inventiveness has a place in every part of a stove
major topic of study since 1976. The team at project. Without information from the community
Eindhoven University, led by Dr. Krishna that will be using the stove, a project is starved for
Prasad and including Dr. Peter Verhaart and Dr. the input needed for success.
Piet Visser, experimented with wood stoves for
more than a decade and wrote pivotal books on the All members of a design committee including
subject. Dr. Sam Baldwin summarized years of cooks, craftspeople, administrators, promoters and
experience in West Africa and in the lab in his technical advisors can easily learn stove design
comprehensive book Biomass Cookstoves: principles. The inventiveness and practical
Engineering Design, Development and experience of the whole team is essential to create a
Dissemination (1987). product that suits local needs and ‘tastes’.

Chapter One, Stove Theory, outlines the work of The empowerment found in the design process can
these leading researchers and offers strategies that a serve as motivation for locals to become trainers,
stove designer can use to improve a stove. promoters, designers, and builders. Technical staff
frequently find valuable input about design,
Chapter Two, Ten Design Principles, details the manufacture, and promotion from the users and
synthesis of design created by Dr. Larry Winiarski. learn just as much as they teach. Perhaps the
conclusion that stove projects are more likely to
Chapters Three and Four, Designing Stoves with succeed when all concerned help to create the
Baldwin and Winiarski, and Options for design parallels the hope that better representation
Combustion Chambers contain technical will create solutions to larger problems.
information to support the designer in charge of
developing a stove project.

And lastly, chapter Five, In Field Water

Boiling Test, provides designers with an in field
method for measuring the performance of stove
prototypes as they are developed. The test does not
require a computer or complicated calculations for
data analysis.

6
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Stove Theory

Chapter 1

Stove Theory
Even an open fire is often 90% efficient at the f No energy is absorbed into the mass of a stove
work of turning wood into energy. But only a body. High-mass stoves can absorb energy that
small proportion, from 10% to 40%, of the could have gone into the pot. The three stone
released energy makes it into the pot. Improving fire can boil water fairly quickly.
combustion efficiency does not appreciably help
f Fire hits the bottom and sometimes the sides of
the stove to use less fuel. On the other hand,
the pot, exposing a lot of the pot to the hot
improving heat transfer efficiency to the pot makes
gases.
a large difference.
f Sticks can be fed in at the appropriate rate as the
Improving the combustion efficiency is necessary tips burn, assisting complete combustion.
to reduce smoke and harmful emissions that
f A hot open fire can burn relatively cleanly.
damage health. Improving heat transfer efficiency
Every stove suffers because it has some mass that
can significantly reduce fuel use. Fire is naturally
absorbs heat. But an improved stove can still
good at its job, but pots are not as good at
achieve better combustion and fuel efficiency
capturing heat because they are inefficient heat
than an open fire.
exchangers. In order to reduce emissions and fuel
use, the stove designer’s job is to first clean up the fire
and then force as much energy into the pot or griddle
as possible. Both of these functions can be How to improve combustion
(make less harmful pollution compared to an open
accomplished in a well engineered cooking stove.
fire)

It is always best practice to add a chimney to any f Make sure there is good draft into the fire.
wood burning cooking or heating stove.
Additionally, it is preferable to use a cleaner f Insulate around the fire to help it burn hotter. A
burning stove to protect air quality in and outside hotter fire burns up more of the combustible
of the house. Chimneys that take smoke and other gases and produces less smoke.
emissions out of the living space protect the family f Avoid using heavy, cold materials like earth and
by reducing exposure to pollutants and health risks. sand around the combustion chamber.
Even cleaner burning stoves without a chimney can
create unhealthy levels of indoor air pollution. f Lift the burning sticks up off the ground so that
air can scrape under the sticks and through the
Unvented stoves should be used outdoors or in charcoal.
open areas. When chimneys are not affordable or f Placing an insulated short chimney above the
practical using a hood over the fire, or opening fire helps to increase draft and gives smoke, air,
windows, or making vents in the roof under the and fire a place to combine, reducing emissions.
eaves are all ways to decrease the levels of harmful This is a popular strategy used in many stoves
pollution. The use of a cleaner burning stove can such as the Z stove, the Vesto, the Wood Gas
also be helpful in this regard but, if possible, all Camp Stove, the Rocket stove, the Tso-Tso
wood burning stoves should always be fitted with a stove, etc. The Eindhoven group used a
functional chimney! chimney above the fire in their cleanest burning
downdraft stove. Micuta built stoves
How can we design a stove that improves upon the incorporating this idea as well (Modern Stoves for
open fire? First, let’s list the advantages of the three- All, 1981). Winiarski developed the concept in
stone fire when compared to some stoves: the early 1980s creating a stove that cleaned up

7
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Stove Theory

combustion and improved heat transfer channel gap in the pot skirt and the maximum
efficiency (Capturing Heat One, 1996). efficiency of heat transfer. Smaller fires that can
still please cooks but are not too big will be
f Meter the sticks of wood into the combustion
considerably more fuel efficient.
chamber to make a hot, fierce, jumpy looking
fire that does not make much charcoal. This type f Use wide pots with large diameters. Using a wide
of fire will make less dangerous emissions, pot creates more surface area to increase the
chimney clogging soot, and creosote. Heat only transfer of heat. Make sure that the top of the
the burning part of the wood. Do not encourage stove slopes up toward the outer perimeter of
the non-burning wood to make smoke. the pot, as shown in Figure 2.
f Limit the cold air entering the fire by using as
Sam Baldwin’s Biomass Stoves: Engineering
small an opening as possible. Small openings into
Design, Development, and Dissemination (1987) is a
the fire also force the cook to use less wood,
very good summary of how to make improved
which can be burnt more efficiently.
stoves. It is highly recommended. Dr. Baldwin
f A certain amount of excess air is necessary for figured out how the channel size between pot and
complete combustion. Preheating the air helps to skirt, firepower and efficiency are related. Here are
maintain clean combustion. a few examples using a family sized pot:
1.) A 1.7 kW fire with a channel gap of 6 mm that
forces hot flue gases to scrape against the pot
How to improve fuel for 15 cm will be about 47% efficient.
efficiency 2.) 4 kW fire with a channel gap of 10 mm that
(get more heat into the pot)
forces heat to scrape against the pot for 15 cm
f Increase the temperature of the gas/flame will be about 35% efficient.
contacting the pot, having the hot air scrape
3.) A 6 kW fire with a channel gap of 12 mm that
against both the bottom and sides of the pot in a
forces heat to scrape against the pot for 15 cm
narrow channel, using a pot skirt.
will be about 30% efficient.
f Increase the speed of the hot flue gases that scrape
4.) A 8 kW fire with a channel gap of 14 mm that
against the pot. The fast gases punch through a
forces heat to scrape against the pot for 15 cm
boundary layer of still air that keeps slower
will be about 26% efficient.
moving gases from scraping against the surface of
the pot (or
As an approximate, general rule of thumb,
griddle.) Air is a
Baldwin recommends that a family sized stove that
poor heat transfer
burns less than one kg of wood per hour can use a
medium. It takes
channel gap between pot skirt and pot of 11 mm.
a lot of hot air to
If the stove burns 1.5 kgs per hour the gap needs to
bring heat to the
be 13 mm. If 2 kilos of wood are burnt per hour
pot.
then the gap should be 15mm. Please refer to
f Use metal rather Biomass Stoves for complete information.
than clay pots
because metal In wood burning stoves a lot of the heat is
conducts heat transferred to the pot or griddle by convection.
better than clay. The amount of wood burnt per hour and channel
gap are related. If the pot skirt gap is made too
f The size of the
Figure 2 - Appropriate Use narrow, there is insufficient draft and smoke backs
fire determines
of Pot Skirt up into the room.
the size of the

8
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Stove Theory

Increase heat transfer to the pot by keeping the

temperature of the hot flue gases as high as possible.
Insulate everywhere the heat goes except to the pot
or griddle. If there is enough surface area in the
stove for the hot flue gases to scrape against, the
flue gases will be much colder by the time they exit
out of the chimney. If exit temperatures in the
chimney are above 2000 C, add more surface area
to make use of the heat. Secondary pots or griddles Figure 3 - Top Down
placed near the chimney may never boil water but View of Haybox
they can help preheat cooking water and warm
food and dishwashing or bathing water.

Using a pot skirt also forces more heat into the pot
by forcing the hot flue gases to continue scraping
against the pot all along its sides in addition to its
bottom.

A haybox makes even more efficient use of

Figure 4 - Placing
captured heat. Placing the boiling pot of food in an Boiling Pot in the
airtight box filled with insulation holds the heat in Insulation
the pot, and food cooks without using added fuel
(See Figure 4).

Once the food has boiled, the fire can be

extinguished. Placing the pot of food in an
insulated cooking box most effectively uses the heat
to accomplish the task of cooking. The haybox
does all simmering without using extra fuel. This
technique saves tremendous amounts of wood. And
Figure 5 - Putting
using a retained heat cooker saves time for the cook
Insulating Lid on the
who lets the haybox do the simmering! Haybox

Figure 6 - Food
Continues to Cook
Inside the Insulated
Haybox

9
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Stove Theory

Common Misconceptions 4. Packed earth or stone acts like insulation.

1. Retained energy in the stove body helps to FALSE

cook food. Dense materials absorb energy rather quickly while
FALSE insulation slows the passage of heat. Insulation is
made of pockets of air separated by a light weight
Experiments by Baldwin have shown that retained less conductive material.
energy is mostly lost. Leftover charcoal can heat
food after the fire has been extinguished but Insulation is light and airy. Heavy materials are
retained energy in the stove body is usually too better examples of thermal mass. Insulation helps a
cold to effectively heat pots. stove to boil water quickly; thermal mass robs
energy from the pot which makes water take longer
Note that retained energy in a stove can be to boil.
advantageous if the stove is used for space heating.
5. Anything is better than an open fire.
2. Keeping energy in the stove by decreasing the FALSE
draft will help to cook food. Lowering the exit
temperatures in the chimney means that the cook An open fire can boil water faster than many heavy
stove is operating well. stoves. The three stone fire can be clean burning
and relatively fuel efficient. While the open fire can
FALSE be wasteful when used carelessly, the early estimates
As stated, slowing down the draft hurts both that any stove was better has been replaced with a
combustion and heat transfer. Hot flue gases need new respect for this ancient technology. Engineers
increased velocity to achieve good heat transfer. have learned how to design improved cooking
stoves by learning what is great about the three
stone fire.
3. Using a damper in the chimney helps to make
a stove work better.
FALSE
Again, slowing down the draft in a cooking stove is
usually detrimental. Dampers should not be used
in a well designed cooking stove.

10
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Stove Theory

Testing is essential Make stoves safe!

Dr. Baldwin includes a remarkably thorough Preventing burns is quite possibly one of the
chapter on stove testing in Biomass Stoves. He most important functions of an improved stove.
points out that the testing of prototypes is necessary Burns are quite common in homes using fire and
while the stove is being developed. Testing stoves can be fatal or horribly disfiguring. To protect the
also helps determine if the model is marketable, family the stove body should not be hot enough to
whether production costs are as low as possible, and cause harm. Stoves and pots should be stable.
if improvements are needed. Testing should happen Surround the fire with the stove body so that
during the entire life of a stove project. children cannot be burnt. Injuries from fire are a
major problem that stoves can remedy.
Baldwin includes tests to determine whether
consumers are happy with the product, if firewood Chimneys or smoke hoods can be used to get
is being saved, and how lifestyle issues are affected. smoke out of the kitchen. According to recent
Without continual testing, a stove project operates estimates by the World Health Organization, up to
in the dark; it lacks essential technological, 1.6 million women and children die every year
sociological, and business information. Reading the from breathing polluted air in their houses.
stove testing chapter in Biomass Cookstoves is highly Pneumonia and other respiratory diseases in
recommended. children are caused by breathing smoke. Unvented
stoves can be used outdoors, under a roof, or at
Careful testing of stoves has resulted in a more least near a large window. Operational chimneys
accurate understanding of how to make better and airtight stoves can remove essentially all
stoves. Without experimentation and testing, the pollution from the indoor environment. Chimneys
development of a stove is based on conjecture. are used in industrialized countries and are
Careful investigation can quickly separate truth required for protecting families from dangerous
from opinion. Testing has a twofold function: to emissions. Shouldn’t people in poorer countries be
identify problems and to point out solutions. It is provided with the same protection?
an essential ingredient for progress. A simple water
boiling test is included in Chapter 5 on page 30.

11
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Ten Design Principles

Chapter 2

Ten Design Principles

Dr. Larry Winiarski’s design principles have been used by many organizations to create successful stoves. The
HELPS plancha stove in Guatemala, the PROLENA EcoStove in Nicaragua, the Trees, Water and People
Justa stove in Honduras, the ProBec stoves in South Africa, the new generation of GTZ cooking stoves in
Africa, and the famous Rocket stove are all designed using his principles. Winiarski’s design approach
combines both clean burning and optimized heat transfer characteristics. Any type of intermittently fed
wood burning stove can first be designed by locals to meet their needs and then finished by adapting these
principles.

Batch fed and fan assisted stoves operate differently. These alternative stove design methods can be used as
successfully to improve wood burning stoves. While many experts are working on these two approaches,
both Crispin Pemberton-Pigott and Dr. Tom Reed have developed excellent working models, both of which
are for sale. For more information on the Vesto stove please contact: Crispin Pemberton-Pigott at
vesto@newdawn.sz or VESTO, P.O. Box 85274 Emmarentia, Republic of South Africa 2029. Dr. Tom
Reed has spent decades experimenting with wood burning. His fan-assisted stoves are wonderful inventions.
He currently markets them under the name “Wood Gas Camp Stoves.” Dr. Reed can be reached through
the Biomass Energy Foundation Press or at tombreed@comcast.net.

PRINCIPLE ONE:
Whenever possible, insulate around the fire Unfortunately, metal does not last very long
using lightweight, heat-resistant materials. If near a hot fire. However, locally made ceramic tiles
possible, do not use heavy materials like sand and can be found that are durable when used as walls for a
clay; insulation should be light and full of small combustion chamber. Loose insulation can surround
pockets of air. Natural examples of insulation this type of construction. (See Chapter 4, Option #1:
include pumice rock, vermiculite, perlite, and Floor Tiles, page 26.)
wood ash. Lightweight refractory brick (brick that
has been fired and is resistant to cracking at high
temperatures) can be made from locally available
Insulative brick
sources (for recipes see Chapter 4, Option #2:
Insulative Ceramics, page 27).
Pockets of air which slow the
Insulation around the fire keeps it hot, which helps transfer of heat to the brick
to reduce smoke and harmful emissions. Also,
insulation around the fire keeps the heat from
going into the stove body instead of into the pot.

Figure 7 - Insulation around the fire

12
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Ten Design Principles

PRINCIPLE TWO:
Place an insulated short chimney right above the fire. The combustion
chamber chimney should be about three times taller than its diameter.
Placing a short chimney above the fire increases draft and helps the fire
burn hot and fierce. Smoke will contact flame in the chimney and
combust, reducing emissions. Pots or surfaces to be heated are placed above
the short chimney. A taller combustion chamber chimney, more than three
times the width, will clean up more smoke, but a shorter chimney will
bring hotter gases to the pot. The very tall combustion chamber chimney
can develop too much draft bringing in too much cold air that will
decrease heat transfer.

Figure 8 - An insulated
short chimney above the fire

PRINCIPLE THREE:
Heat and burn the tips of the sticks as they enter the fire. If only the wood that is burning is hot there will
be much less smoke. Try to keep the rest of the stick cold enough that it does not smolder and make smoke.
The goal is to make the proper amount of gas so that it can be cleanly burned without making charcoal or
smoke. Smoke is un-burnt gas! It is harmful to breathe. Even cleaner looking combustion contains harmful
emissions.

Figure 9 - Cleaner Burning Figure 10 - Smoldering Wood Makes Smoke

PRINCIPLE FOUR:
High and low heat are
created by how many sticks
are pushed into the fire.
Adjust the amount of gas made
and fire created to suit the
cooking task. (Wood gets hot
and releases gas. The gas
catches fire and makes heat.) Figure 11 - Low Heat Figure 12 - High Heat

13
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Ten Design Principles

PRINCIPLE FIVE:
Maintain a good fast draft through the burning
fuel. Just as blowing on a fire and charcoal can
make it hotter, having the proper amount of draft
will help to keep high temperatures in your stove.
A hot fire is a clean fire.

Figure 13 - Maintaining a Good Draft

PRINCIPLE SIX:
Too little draft being pulled into the fire will
result in smoke and excess charcoal. But too
much air just cools the fire and is not helpful.
Smaller openings into the fire help to reduce excess
air. Improving heat transfer to the pot or griddle is
the most important factor that will reduce fuel use
in a cooking stove. Improving combustion
efficiency reduces pollution but is less important
when trying to save firewood.

Figure 14 - Balancing the air flow in a multipot stove

PRINCIPLE SEVEN:
The opening into the fire, the size of the spaces The size of the openings is larger in more powerful
within the stove through which hot air flows, stoves that burn more wood and make more heat.
and the chimney should all be about the same As a general rule, a door into the fire with a
size. This is called maintaining constant cross square opening of twelve centimeters per side
sectional area, and helps to keep good draft and equally sized chimney and tunnels in the
throughout the stove. Good draft not only keeps stove will result in a fire suited to family
the fire hot; it is also essential so that the hot air cooking. Commercial stoves need bigger openings,
created by the fire can effectively transfer its heat tunnels, and chimneys because bigger fires require
into the pot. Air does not carry very much energy, more air. For more information, please see the
so a lot of it needs to go through the stove in order chapter Designing Stoves with Baldwin and
to accomplish the task of heating food or water. Winiarski on page 17.

Figure 15 - Maintaining Constant Cross-Sectional Area

14
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Ten Design Principles

PRINCIPLE EIGHT:
Use a grate under the fire. Do not put the sticks on
the floor of the combustion chamber. Air needs to
pass under the burning sticks, up through the
charcoal, and into the fire. A shelf in the stove
opening also lifts up sticks so air can pass
underneath them. When burning sticks, it is best to
have them close together and flat on the shelf, with
an air space in between each stick. The burning
sticks keep the fire hot, each fire reinforcing the
other to burn more completely. It is optimum if the
air passes under the shelf and through the coals so
that when it reaches the fire it is preheated to help
the gases reach complete combustion. Air that passes
above the sticks is not as helpful because it is colder
and cools the fire. A hot raging fire is clean, but a
Figure 16 - Use of a Grate Under the Fire
cold fire can be very dirty.

PRINCIPLE NINE:
Insulate the heat flow path. Cooks tend to like kilogram of food or a liter of water? Using
stoves that boil water quickly. This can be especially insulative materials in the stove keeps the flue gases
important in the morning when family members hot so that they can more effectively heat the pan
need to get to work. If heat goes into the body of or griddle. Insulation is full of air holes and is very
the stove, the pot boils less quickly. Why heat up light. Clay and sand or other dense materials are
fifty or one hundred kilograms of stove each not insulation. Dense materials soak up heat and
morning when the desired result is to heat up a divert it from cooking food.

PRINCIPLE TEN:
Maximize heat transfer to the pot with properly When designing a stove, it is possible to decrease
sized gaps. Getting heat into pots or griddles is the gap in the channel next to the pot or griddle
best done with small channels. The hot flue gases until the fire becomes “lazy.” Using trial and error,
from the fire are forced through these narrow open up the gap little by little until the fire stays
channels, or gaps, where it is forced to scrape hot and vigorous.
against the pot or griddle. If the gap is too large the
hot flue gases mostly stay in the middle of the
channel and do not pass their heat to the desired
cooking surface. If the gaps are too small, the draft
diminishes, causing the fire to be cooler, the
emissions to go up, and less heat to enter the pot.

15
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Ten Design Principles

The two most important factors for getting large The size of the channel can be estimated by
amounts of heat into a pot or griddle are: 1) keep keeping the cross sectional area constant
the flue gases that touch the pot or griddle as hot as throughout the stove. When using an external
possible; and, 2) force the hot gases to scrape against chimney that provides greater draft, channel gaps
the surface quickly, not slowly. Air does not hold can be reduced. For more information on gaps,
much heat. Faster hot flue gases scraping against the please see the next chapter.
pot or griddle will transfer much more heat than
slow-moving cooler air.

Figure 17 - A proper sized gap Figure 18 - Too large a gap will reduce
optimizes heat transfer to the pot heat transfer to the pot

16
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Designing Stoves with Baldwin & Winiarski

Chapter 3

Designing Stoves with Baldwin & Winiarski

Forcing hot flue gases to flow past the surface area of support both the combustion and the necessary
a pot or griddle in a narrow channel is a stove flow to avoid back drafting into the room. If too
design strategy popularized by both Dr. Samuel small a gap is used the fire may burn well while
Baldwin and Dr. Larry Winiarski. In 1982 Dr. simmering but will be short of air when operated at
Winiarski created the pot skirt, a cylinder of sheet high power. On the other hand, very large channel
metal that surrounded the pot, which formed a gaps will sustain a large fire but unnecessary
narrow channel increasing heat transfer efficiency. amounts of heat will be lost due to poor heat
Dr. Baldwin studied stoves in Africa and in 1987 transfer.
wrote his seminal book Biomass Stoves: Engineering
Design, Development, and Dissemination in which he Design Strategies
also stresses the importance of using narrow The two stove designers approach the problem of
channels to deliver more heat to the pot. sizing the channel gap differently. Winiarski in
Rocket Stove Design Principles (1997), advises
In general, there are three ways to increase technicians to start designing stoves by maintaining
convective heat transfer: constant cross sectional area throughout the stove.
f The flue gases scraping the surface to be heated, He sets the cross sectional area at the opening into
should be as hot as possible. the fire, or fuel magazine, and then creates
appropriate gaps around the pots based on
f The surface area of the heat exchanger should be maintaining the same cross sectional area. Baldwin’s
as large as possible. method requires a designer to pick a maximum
f The velocity of the hot flue gases should be high power for the stove design. Starting from a
increased as much as possible. A faster flow over fixed firepower the size of the channel gap is then
the exterior of the pot disturbs the stagnant determined. In one case, Winiarski chooses the size
boundary layer of air that slows effective heating. of the fuel magazine first while Baldwin uses
firepower as the starting point. The spaces within
The narrow channels formed close to the pot by an the stove are determined by either of these two
insulated skirt (see Figure 19) can help to optimize primary choices.
the three principles simply and inexpensively.
Although narrowing the gap increases heat transfer
efficiency, doing so also decreases the flow of air
through the stove. The size of the gap must
therefore be in relation to the firepower. As more
wood is burned per minute, more air is needed to

Figure 19 - The narrow channel close to the Figure 20 - Hot flue gases are forced to flow past the
pot increases convective heat transfer surface of the pots in a narrow channel
17
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Designing Stoves with Baldwin & Winiarski

Winiarski Method
The following stove diagram and tables (see pages channel gaps that increase heat transfer efficiency.
19-20) show how the size of the channels near to This means that the opening into the combustion
the pot or griddle change as the opening into the chamber, the combustion chamber, the air gap
fire is expanded. Dr. Winiarski suggests that a under the pot or griddle, and the chimney are the
12 cm by 12 cm opening is usually sufficient for a same size (equal number of square centimeters)
family sized cooking stove. Larger openings that while having different shapes. Winiarski advises
allow more wood into the fire result in higher designers to create prototype cooking stoves that
power and larger channel gaps. maintain the cross sectional area to keep the draft
flowing at an optimal rate. Slowing down the draft
Establishing the same cross sectional area hurts both combustion and heat transfer efficiency
everywhere in a cooking stove ensures sufficient to the pot.
draft for good combustion while resulting in

Lid
Pot

Pot Skirt

Stove
Top

Short
insulated
chimney
above fire
Stove
Fuel body
Entrance

Figure 21 - A Typical Winiarki Stove

(Use this diagram along with the calculations found on pages 19-25 to
determine proper gap size)

18
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Designing Stoves with Baldwin & Winiarski

CROSS SECTIONAL AREA FOR SQUARE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS

Use these tables to create stoves with constant cross sectional area

Table 1

12 cm X 12 cm Square Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50
GAP A (cm) 3 3 3 3
GAP B (cm) 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
GAP C (cm) 2.3 1.5 1.1 0.9
GAP D (cm) 2.1 1.5 1.1 0.9

14 cm X 14 cm Square Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50
GAP A (cm) 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
GAP B (cm) 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1
GAP C (cm) 3.1 2.1 1.6 1.2
GAP D (cm) 2.7 2 1.5 1.2

16 cm X 16 cm Square Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50
GAP A (cm) NA 4 4 4
GAP B (cm) NA 3.7 3.7 3.7
GAP C (cm) NA 2.7 2 1.6
GAP D (cm) NA 2.5 1.9 1.6

18 cm X 18 cm Square Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50
GAP A (cm) NA 4.5 4.5 4.5
GAP B (cm) NA 4.3 4.3 4.3
GAP C (cm) NA 3.4 2.6 2.1
GAP D (cm) NA 3.1 2.4 2

20 cm X 20 cm Square Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50
GAP A (cm) NA 5 5 5
GAP B (cm) NA 4.9 4.9 4.9
GAP C (cm) NA 4.2 3.2 2.5
GAP D (cm) NA 3.7 3 2.4

19
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Designing Stoves with Baldwin & Winiarski

CROSS SECTIONAL AREA FOR CIRCULAR COMBUSTION CHAMBERS

Table 2

12 cm Diameter Circular Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50
GAP A (cm) 3 3 3 3
GAP B (cm) 2 2 2 2
GAP C (cm) 1.8 1.2 0.9 0.7
GAP D (cm) 1.6 1.2 0.9 0.7

14 cm Diameter Circular Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50
GAP A (cm) 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
GAP B (cm) 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4
GAP C (cm) 2.4 1.6 1.2 0.9
GAP D (cm) 2.2 1.5 1.2 0.9

16 cm Diameter Circular Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50
GAP A (cm) NA 4 4 4
GAP B (cm) NA 2.9 2.9 2.9
GAP C (cm) NA 2.1 1.6 1.3
GAP D (cm) NA 2 1.5 1.3

18 cm Diameter Circular Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50
GAP A (cm) NA 4.5 4.5 4.5
GAP B (cm) NA 3.4 3.4 3.4
GAP C (cm) NA 2.7 2 1.6
GAP D (cm) NA 2.5 1.9 1.6

20 cm Diameter Circular Combustion Chamber

Pot Size (cm) 20 30 40 50

GAP A (cm) NA 5 5 5
GAP B (cm) NA 3.8 3.8 3.8
GAP C (cm) NA 3.3 2.5 2
GAP D (cm) NA 3 2.4 1.9

20
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Designing Stoves with Baldwin & Winiarski

Baldwin: Firepower Determines Channel Size

As can be seen in the chart below, Baldwin and Winiarski’s methods seem to create similar sized gaps. These
values are derived from charts found in Biomass Stoves which summarize Baldwin’s findings. The chart is an
approximation meant to serve as a guide to the relationship between firepower, wood use per hour, length
and width of gap size, and stove efficiency.

Table 3 - Baldwin’s Suggested Gap Sizes

Wood burned per Skirt gap (mm) Length of gap (cm) Thermal efficiency Firepower (kW)
hour (kg) of stove (%)

0.50 8 20 40 2.8

0.75 10 20 35 4.1

1.00 11 20 30 5.5

1.25 12 20 28 6.9

1.50 13 20 26 8.3

1.75 14 20 25 9.6

A typical Winiarski designed stove with a square, 12 cm x 12 cm combustion chamber burns wood at
approximately the rate of 1.5 kg/hr at high power. In his computer program Baldwin uses a 30 cm diameter
pot as “family sized.” Given this size of pot, the gap at the perimeter using the Winianski model would be
calculated by dividing the area (A = 12 cm x 12 cm = 144 square cm for a square combustion chamber) by
the perimeter at the edge of the pot (P = pi (d), the circumference, or 3.14 x 30 = 94 cm). The resulting gap
is 144 cm/94 cm = 1.5 cm (15 mm). Following Baldwin’s chart, we see that a stove burning wood at a rate
of 1.5 kg/hr. would call for a gap of 13 mm for maximum efficiency, a difference of 2 mm from Winiarski’s
model.

21
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Designing Stoves with Baldwin & Winiarski

Calculations
To use Winiarski’s method of maintaining a constant cross sectional area under the pot, you will need to
calculate the correct height of the gap under the pot. This height will vary as you move from the center of
the combustion chamber out to the edge of the pot. To do this, calculate the needed gap at the edge of the
combustion chamber and at the edge of the pot. Although this sounds complicated it is relatively straight
forward. There are 5 steps to make this calculation:

1. Determine the area of the combustion chamber, which will be continued throughout the stove. If
the combustion chamber is cylindrical, the area is calculated using the formula

where Ac is the area, π = 3.14 , and rc is the radius. The radius is one-half the diameter. If the com-
bustion chamber is square or rectangular, the area is calculated as

where l is the height and w is the width.

2. At the edge of the insulated chimney above the fire, the gasses turn and follow the bottom of the pot.
To determine the needed gap at the edge of the combustion chamber, first determine the circumfer-
ence of the area that the hot gasses will pass through. To do this measure from the center of the
combustion chamber outlet to the farthest edge, rc. In a circular combustion chamber this will be the
radius. In a square or rectangular chamber this will be from the center to one of the corners. Deter-
mine the circumference associated with this distance. This is

3. Next, divide the cross sectional area, Ac, determined in Step 1 by the Cc determined in Step 2. This is

where Gc is the needed gap between the bottom of the pot and the top edge of the combustion
chamber.

4. Now determine the optimal gap at the edge of the pot. Measure the circumference, Cp, of the pot.
This is the distance all the way around the pot. The circumference can be measured two ways. The
easiest is to take a piece of string, wrap it around the pot and measure the length of the string.
Alternately, you can determine the circumference from the diameter, rp.

5. As in Step 3, divide the cross sectional area, Ac, determined in Step 1 by the Cc determined in Step 4
to calculate the needed gap at the edge of the pot, Gp. This is

22
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Designing Stoves with Baldwin & Winiarski

As noted above, the area under the pot will need to be slowly decreased moving from the edge of the com-
bustion chamber to the edge of the pot. Careful readers will note that this thinning of the gap is not linear.
However, using the constant area thumb rule as an approximation is the easiest way to handle this. Smoothly
match the gap distance from the edge of the combustion chamber to the edge of the pot by hand in a linear
fashion.

After creating the prototype with a constant cross sectional area, the cooking stove will need to be fine-tuned
by reducing the channel gap while watching the fire at high power. Set the gap as small as possible while
making sure that the draft is sufficient for clean combustion. It is good practice to remember that the stoves
will often be operated at very high power; therefore, the careful designer does not tighten gaps below the
maximum possible firepower. Widening the distance beyond the theoretical best gap also provides some
degree of protection against clogging by products of incomplete combustion.

Example 1

Consider the case of a stove with a cylindrical combustion chamber 12 cm in diameter with a 30 cm
cooking pot.

The first step is to calculate the cross sectional area of the combustion chamber. This is

Next calculate the gap needed at the edge of the combustion chamber. First we find the circumference of the
area that the hot gasses will pass through. This is

From this you can find the needed gap at the edge of the combustion chamber as

If this space were only two centimeters high, the cross sectional area at Gap A would only be 75.4 cm2,
reducing the draft and increasing the production of smoke. If the space at Gap A were 5 centimeters, the
cross sectional area would be 188.5 cm2. This area is so large that even though flow rate is maintained, the
velocity of hot gases is decreased and gases are not forced to scrape against the pot and so cannot effectively
deliver their energy to it.

At the edge of the pot, the circumference that the hot gasses need to pass through is

The needed gap at the edge of the pot is

We need to remember that this is an approximation and that the gap will need to be field tuned at the
highest power setting of the stove. In addition, we will need to smoothly thin the gap from 3.0 cm at the
edge of the combustion chamber to 1.2 cm at the edge of the pot.

23
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves

Example 2

Often it is less expensive to build square or rectangular combustion chambers. Consider the case of a 12 cm
x 10 cm rectangular combustion chamber with a 30 cm diameter cooking pot.

The first step is to calculate the cross sectional area of the combustion chamber. This is

Next we calculate the gap needed at the edge of the combustion chamber. First we find the circumference of
the area that the hot gasses will pass through. The distance from the center of the combustion chamber to the
corner is

We know this looks complicated but remember in the field you will be using a tape measure not geometry.
With this we can find the circumference of the area at that point. This is

From this we can find the needed gap at the edge of the combustion chamber

At the edge of the pot, the circumference that the hot gasses need to pass through is

The needed gap at the edge of the pot is

Again we need to remember that this is an approximation and that the gap will need to be field tuned at the
highest power setting of the stove. In addition, we will need to smoothly thin the gap from 2.4 cm at the
edge of the combustion chamber to 1.2 cm at the edge of the pot.

Example 3

Another application of the constant area thumb rule is determining the gap needed between the pot and an
insulated pot skirt. An insulated pot skirt is a band of metal insulated on the outside that goes around the
cook pot, forcing the hot gases to run along the sides of the pot. Consider the cook stove with the 12 cm
cylindrical combustion chamber and the 30 cm pot examined in Example 1.

To calculate the gap between the pot and the skirt along the side walls, or Gap D in the diagram on page 18,
start with the area of the cooking chamber found in Example 1.

24
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves

Divide this by the circumference around the pot.

The gap needed becomes

Note that this is the same gap as between the edge of the pot and stove surface. Also the careful reader will
have noted that this is an approximation. But it is a very good approximation. Also remember that this is
only a starting point and should be tuned at the high power setting in the field.

Conclusions
Both Winiarski’s and Baldwin’s methods result in workable solutions that seem to be closely related.
Creating small channels to increase heat transfer efficiency is a common strategy engineers use to optimize
heat transfer. Applying the practice to cooking stoves has been shown to effectively improve fuel efficiency.
Even an open fire is often 90% efficient at the work of turning wood into heat. But only a small
proportion, from 10% to 40% of the released heat makes it into the pot. Improving combustion efficiency
can have little appreciable effect on overall system efficiency; i.e., decreased fuel use. On the other hand,
improving heat transfer efficiency to the pot can make a large difference, saving significant amounts of
firewood.
Stoves have to use gaps that are large enough to support the airflow at high power. Much less firepower is
required to simmer food. But the efficiency of heat transfer suffers because the channels are larger than
needed at this reduced rate of flow. For this reason, without adjustable gaps, stoves tend to display better heat
transfer efficiency at high power. A pot skirt with adjustable gaps solves this problem.
It is interesting that Baldwin was impressed by the improvements made possible by placing a short insulated
chimney above the fire, which is the defining characteristic of Winiarski’s Rocket stove. By reconfiguring the
combustion chamber in this way Baldwin reports an increase in velocity of hot flue gases due to the height
of the chimney, which results in clean burning and good fuel efficiency (Page 43, Biomass Stoves). In practice
installing a short insulated chimney above the fire seems to help clean up combustion. Forcing the cleaner
hot flue gasses to scrape against the pot or griddle in narrow spaces can increase heat transfer efficiency
without significantly increasing harmful emissions.

25
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Options for Combustion Chambers

Chapter 4

Options for Combustion Chambers*

Multiple tests of the sand and clay Lorena stove, The benefit to using ceramic combustion chambers
beginning in 1983, showed that placing materials in these instances is their longevity. As we shall see
with high thermal mass near the fire can have a in the example below, the key to minimizing the
negative effect on the responsiveness, fuel drawback of ceramic material, which is its high
efficiency, and emissions of a cooking stove because thermal mass, is to use the least amount possible
they absorb the heat from the fire. Examples of without compromising its strength and by
high thermal mass materials are mud, sand, and surrounding it with an insulative material.
clay. When stoves are built from high thermal mass
materials, their efficiency (when tested in the Option #1: Floor Tiles
laboratory) can be worse than that of the three- Don O’Neal (HELPS International) and Dr.
stone fire. Winiarski located an alternative material in
Guatemala, an inexpensive ceramic floor tile called
So what other materials can be used? Cleaner a baldosa. The baldosa is about an inch thick and
burning stoves can produce such high temperatures can be cut or molded into appropriate shapes to
in the combustion chamber (where the fire burns) make a combustion chamber. Loose insulation fills
that metal, even stainless steel, can be destroyed. in between the combustion chamber and the inside
Cast iron combustion chambers, though longer of the stove body. Wood ash, pumice rock,
lasting, are expensive. vermiculite, and perlite are all good natural heat
resistant sources of loose insulation. The baldosa is
While mud, sand, and clay are high in thermal inexpensive and has lasted four years in the
mass, they do have certain benefits. They are insulated HELPS and Trees, Water and People
locally available, cheap, easy to work with, and are stoves built in Central America.
often long lasting because they don’t burn out
under the intense heat produced by a fire. Figure 22 - Ceramic Floor Tile
Creativity and good engineering allow a stove
designer to use these materials advantageously
without allowing their high thermal mass to
degrade the quality of the stove.

Stove makers have been using ceramic parts for

many years. The Thai Bucket Stove uses a ceramic
combustion chamber. The Kenyan Jiko Stove also
uses a ceramic liner to protect the sheet metal stove
body. Books have been written describing how to
make clay combustion chambers that will last for
several years.** A women’s co-operative in
Honduras called Nueva Esperansa makes long-
lasting refractory ceramic stove parts from a
mixture of clay, sand, horse manure, and tree gum.
These combustion chambers are used in the Doña
Justa and Eco Stoves now popular in Central
America.

* First published in Boiling Point #49

**A good book on the subject is The Kenya Ceramic Jiko: A Manual for Stovemakers (Hugh Allen, 1991).

26
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Options for Combustion Chambers

The baldosa floor tile is tested by placing it in a fire other countries, the best source of clay would be
until it is red hot. Then the tile is removed and the kind used by local potters or brick makers.
quickly dipped into a bucket of cold water. If the Almost everywhere, people have discovered clay
tile doesn’t crack, it will probably last in the mixes and firing techniques, which create sturdy
combustion chamber. Baldosa are usually made ceramics. Insulative ceramics need to be lightweight
with red clay and are fired in a kiln at around 9000 (low density) to provide insulation and low thermal
- 10000C. They are somewhat porous and ring mass. At the same time, they need to be physically
when struck with a knuckle. Using baldosa in a durable to resist breakage and abrasion due to
combustion chamber surrounded by loose wood being forced into the back of the stove.
insulation adds one more material option for the These two requirements are in opposition; adding
stove designer. more filler to the mix will make the brick lighter
and more insulative, but will also make it weaker.
Option #2: Insulative Adding clay will usually increase strength but
makes the brick heavier. We feel that a good
Ceramics compromise is achieved in a brick having a density
These recipes are intended to assist stove promoters between 0.8 gm/cc and 0.4 gm/cc.
in making insulative ceramics for use in improved
wood burning cook stoves. Each of these materials The recipes in Table 4 indicate the proportions, by
incorporates clay, which acts as a binder. The clay weight, of various materials. We recommend these
forms a matrix around a filler, which provides recipes as a starting point for making insulative
insulation. The filler can be a lightweight fireproof ceramics. Variations in locally available clays and
material (such as pumice, perlite, or vermiculite), fillers will probably require adjusting these
or an organic material (charcoal or sawdust). The proportions to obtain the most desirable results.
organic material burns away, leaving insulative air
spaces in the clay matrix. In all cases, the clay and Insulative ceramics used in stoves undergo
filler are mixed with a predetermined amount of repeated heating and cooling (thermal cycling),
water and pressed into forms (molds) to create which may eventually produce tiny cracks that
bricks. The damp bricks are allowed to dry, which cause the material to crumble or break. All of these
may take several weeks, and then fired at recipes seem to hold up well to thermal cycling.
temperatures commonly obtained in pottery or The only true test, however, is to install them in a
brick kilns in Central America. stove and use them for a long period of time under
actual cooking conditions.
Our test samples were made using low-fired “raku”
clay obtained from a local potter’s supply store. In

Table 4 - Insulative Ceramics

Filler Clay (damp) Water Fired at Density
Type Wt. (Grams) Wt. (Grams) Wt. (Grams) (degrees C) gr/cc

Sawdust 490 900 1300 1050 0.426

Charcoal 500 900 800 1050 0.671

Vermiculite 300 900 740 1050 0.732

Perlite Mix 807 900 1833 1050 0.612

Pumice Mix 1013 480 750 950 0.770

27
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Options for Combustion Chambers

Sawdust/Clay: Vermiculite/Clay:
In this formulation, fine sawdust was obtained by In this formulation, commercial vermiculite (a soil
running coarse sawdust (from a construction site) additive), which can pass easily through a #8 (2.36
through a #8 (2.36-mm) screen. Clay was added to mm) screen, is mixed directly with water and clay
the water and mixed by hand to form thick mud. and pressed into molds. Material is dried and fired
Sawdust was then added, and the resulting material at 10500C.
was pressed into rectangular molds. Excellent
insulative ceramics can be made using sawdust or Vermiculite is a lightweight, cheap, fireproof
other fine organic materials such as ground material produced from natural mineral deposits in
coconut husks or horse manure. The problem with many parts of the world. It can be made into
this method is obtaining large volumes of suitable strong, lightweight insulative ceramics with very
material for a commercial operation. Crop residues little effort. The flat, plate-like structure of
can be very difficult to break down into particles vermiculite particles makes them both strong and
small enough to use in brick making. very resistant to heat.

This method would be a good approach in Vermiculite appears to be one of the best possible
locations where there are sawmills or woodworking choices for making insulative ceramics.
shops that produce large amounts of waste sawdust.
Perlite Mix/Clay:
Charcoal/Clay: For best results, perlite must be made into a
In this formulation, raw charcoal (not briquettes) graded mix before it can be combined with
was reduced to a fine powder using a hammer and clay to form a brick. To prepare this mix, first
grinder. The resulting powder was passed through a separate the raw perlite into three component
#8 screen. Clay was hand mixed into water and the sizes: 3/8' to #4 (9.5 mm to 4.75 mm), #4 to #8
charcoal was added last. A rather runny slurry was (4.75 mm to 2.36 mm), and #8 (2.36 mm and
poured into molds and allowed to dry. It was finer). Recombine (by volume) two parts of the
necessary to wait several days before the material largest size, one part of the midsize, and seven parts
dried enough that the mold could be removed. of the smallest size to form the perlite mix. This
Dried bricks were fired at 10500C. Charcoal can be mix can now be combined with clay and water and
found virtually everywhere, and can be used when formed into a brick, which is dried and fired.
and where other filler materials are not available.
Charcoal is much easier to reduce in size than other Perlite is the mineral obsidian, which has been
organic materials. Most of the charcoal will burn heated up until it expands and becomes light. It is
out of the matrix of the brick. Any charcoal that used as a soil additive and insulating material.
remains is both lightweight and insulative. Perlite mineral deposits occur in many countries of
the world, but the expanded product is only
Charcoal/clay bricks tend to shrink more than available in countries that have commercial
other materials during both drying and firing. “expanding” plants. Where it is available, it is both
The final product seems to be lightweight and inexpensive and plentiful.
fairly durable, although full tests have not yet
been run on this material. Perlite/clay bricks are some of the lightest usable
ceramic materials we have produced so far.

28
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Options for Combustion Chambers

Pumice Mix/Clay: Pumice is widely available in many parts of the

Pumice, like perlite, produces the best results when world and is cheap and abundant. Close attention
it is made into a graded mix. Care should to quality control is required, and this could be a
be taken to obtain the lightest possible pumice for problem in many locations. It is very easy to turn a
the mix. Naturally occurring volcanic sand, lightweight insulative brick into a heavy non-
which is often found with pumice, may be quite insulating one through inattention to detail.
heavy and unsuitable for use in insulative Pumice (and perlite as well) is sensitive to high heat
ceramics. It may be necessary to crush down larger (above 11000C). Over-firing will cause the pumice
pieces of pumice to obtain the necessary particles to shrink and turn red, resulting in an
small sizes. The mix is prepared by separating inferior product. Despite these concerns, pumice
pumice into three sizes: 0.5 inch to #4 (12.5 mm provides a great opportunity to supply large
to 4.75 mm), #4 to #8 (4.75 mm to 2.36 mm), numbers of very inexpensive insulative ceramics in
and #8 (2.36 mm) and smaller. In this case, the many areas of the world.
components are recombined (by volume) in the
proportion of two parts of the largest size, one There are many viable recipes to make lightweight
part of the midsize, and four parts of the smallest refractory ceramic combustion chambers. Using
size. Clay is added to water and mixed to form insulation around the fire helps to boil water more
thin mud. The pumice mix is then added and the quickly, makes the stove easier to light, and saves
material is pressed into molds. Considerable firewood. It is necessary to create very high
tamping or pressing may be necessary to work out temperatures in a combustion chamber in order to
the air and form a solid brick. The mold can be clean up dangerous emissions. Unfortunately these
removed immediately and the brick allowed to dry high temperatures quickly degrade metals,
for several days before firing. including stainless steel. Refractory insulative
ceramics provide a material that is both long lasting
and does not lower combustion temperatures as do
materials with a higher thermal mass.

29
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves In Field Water Boiling Test

Chapter 5

In Field Water Boiling Test (WBT)

This test provides the stove designer with reliable 3. Do the tests in a place that is completely
information about the performance of wood protected from the wind.
burning stove models. The test consists of three
phases that determine the stove’s ability to: 4. Record all results on the data sheet.
(1) bring water to a boil from a cold start;
(2) bring water to a boil when the stove is hot; and,
(3) maintain the water at simmering temperatures. Equipment used for the In Field
It is used to evaluate a series of stoves as they are Water Boiling Test:
being developed. The test cannot be used to
• Scale of at least 6 kg capacity and 1 gram
compare stoves from different places because the accuracy
different pots and wood used change the results.
• Heat resistant pad to protect scale
The test is a simplified version of the University of
• Digital thermometer, accurate to 1/10 of a
California Berkeley (UCB)/Shell Foundation degree, with thermocouple probes that can
revision of the 1985 VITA International Standard be in liquids
Water Boiling Test. The wood used for boiling and
simmering, and the time to boil are found by • Timer
simple subtraction. All calculation can be done by • Testing pot(s)
hand in the field.
• Wood fixture for holding thermometer
By using a standard pot, taking into account the probe in water
moisture content of the wood, steam generated and • Small shovel/spatula to remove charcoal
other factors the complete UCB/Shell Foundation from stove
Water Boiling Test makes comparison of stoves
from different places possible. • Tongs for handling charcoal

• Dust pan for transferring charcoal

Before starting the tests…
• Metal tray to hold charcoal for weighing
1. Collect at least 30 kg of air-dried fuel for each
• Heat resistant gloves
stove to be tested in order to ensure that there
is enough fuel to complete three tests for each • 3 bundles of air-dried fuel wood. One, used
stove. Massive multi-pot stoves may require for simmering, weighs around 5 kgs. The
more fuel. Use equally dry wood that is the other two bundles, used for cold and hot
start boiling, weigh about 2 kgs each.
same size. Do not use green wood.

2. Put 5 liters of water in the testing pot and bring

it to a rolling boil. Make sure that the fire is very
powerful, and that the water is furiously boiling!
Use an accurate digital thermometer, accurate to
1/10 of a degree, to measure the local boiling
temperature. Put the thermometer probe in the
center of the testing pot, 5 cm above the pot
bottom. Record the local boiling point on the
data sheet (see page 34).

30
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves In Field Water Boiling Test

Beginning of Test 6. When the water in the first pot reaches the local
boiling temperature as shown by the digital
a. Record the air temperature. thermometer, rapidly do the following:
a. Record the time at which the water in the
b. Record weight of commonly used pot without primary pot (Pot # 1) reaches the local
lid. If more than one pot is used, record the boiling point of water. Record the water
weight of each pot. If the weights differ, be sure temperature for other pots as well.
not to confuse the pots as the test proceeds. Do
b. Remove all wood from the stove and put out
not use pot lids for this, or any other phase of
the flames. Knock all loose charcoal from the
the WBT.
ends of the wood into the tray for weighing
charcoal.
c. Record weight of container for charcoal.
c. Weigh the unburned wood from the stove
d. Prepare 2 bundles of fuel wood that weigh about together with the remaining wood from the
2 kgs each for the cold and hot start high power pre-weighed bundle. Record the result.
tests. Prepare 1 bundle of fuel wood that weighs d. Weigh each pot, with its water. Record
about 5 kgs to be used in the simmering test. weight.
Use sticks of wood roughly the same size for all
tests. Record approximate dimensions of the e. Remove all the charcoal from the stove, place
fuel wood. Weigh and Record weights in spaces it with the charcoal that was knocked off the
marked # on the attached data sheet. Identify sticks and weigh it. Record the weight of the
each bundle and keep them separate. charcoal and container.

High Power (Cold Start) Phase: This completes the high power (cold start) phase.
The stove should be at room temperature. Continue without pause to the high power (hot
start) portion of the test. Do not allow the stove to
1. Fill each pot with 5 L of clean water (~200). cool.
Record the weight of pot(s) plus the water.
High Power (Hot Start) Phase
2. Using the wooden fixtures, place a thermometer
probe in each pot so that water temperature may 1. Refill the pot(s) with 5 L of fresh cold water.
be measured in the center, 5 cm from the Weigh pot(s) (with water) and measure the
bottom. Make sure a digital thermometer is initial water temperatures; Record both
used. Record water temperatures. measurements.

3. Record the weight of the starting materials. 2. Start the fire using kindling and wood from the
Always use the same amount and material. second 2 kg bundle. Record weight of any
additional starting materials.
4. Start the fire using the wood from the first 2 kg
bundle. 3. Record the time when the fire starts and bring
the first pot rapidly to a boil without being
5. Once the fire has caught, start the timer and excessively wasteful of fuel.
Record “0”. If using a watch Record the starting
time. Bring the first pot rapidly to a boil 4. Record the time at which the first pot reaches
without being excessively wasteful of fuel. the local boiling point. Record the temperature
of all pots.

31
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves In Field Water Boiling Test

5. After reaching the boiling temperature, rapidly 4. Bring the pot rapidly to a boil without being
do the following: excessively wasteful of fuel. As soon as local
a. Remove all wood from the stove and knock boiling temperature is reached, do the following
off any loose charcoal into the charcoal steps quickly and carefully:
container. Weigh the wood removed from
the stove, together with the unused wood 5. Record the boiling time and temperature.
from the second bundle. Record the result. Quickly weigh the water in the primary pot and
return it to the stove. Record the weight of the
b. Weigh each pot, with its water and Record pot with water. Record the weight of remaining
these weights. wood in 5 kg bundle. Replace the thermometer
in the pot and continue with the simmer test by
6. Remove all remaining charcoal from the stove reducing the fire. Keep the water as close to 30C
and weigh it (including charcoal which was below the boiling point as possible.
knocked off the sticks). Record the weight of
the charcoal plus container. 6. Record temperature of the water.

Without pause, proceed directly with the 7. Record the time. For the next 45 minutes
simmering test. maintain the fire at a level that keeps the water
temperature as close as possible to 30C below the
Low Power (Simmering) Test boiling point.
This phase is designed to test the ability of the stove
to simmer water using as little wood as possible. 8. After 45 minutes rapidly do the following:
Use the 5 kg bundle of wood to bring the water to
boil. Then record the weight of the remaining a. Record the finish time of the test (this should
wood and simmer the water for an additional 45 be 45 minutes).
minutes. b. Record the temperature of the water at end
of test.
Only the primary pot will be tested for
c. Remove all wood from the stove and knock
simmering performance.
any loose charcoal into the charcoal weighing
pan. Weigh the remaining wood, including
Start of Low Power test:
the unused wood from the preweighed
bundle. Record the weight of wood.
1. Record the weight of the 5 kg bundle of fuel.
d. Weigh the pot with the remaining water.
2. Refill the pot with 5 L of cold water. Weigh the Record the weight.
pot (with water). Record weight. Record e. Extract all remaining charcoal from the stove
temperature. and weigh it (including charcoal which was
knocked off the sticks). Record the weight of
3. Rekindle the fire using kindling and wood from pan plus charcoal.
the weighed bundle. Record the weight of any
additional starting materials. Replace the pot on This completes the full water boiling test. The full
the stove and Record the start time when the test should be done at least three times for each
fire starts. stove for accurate results.

32
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Analysis of Results

It is ok if temperatures vary up and down, but:

1. The tester must try to keep the simmering water as close as possible to 30C below the local
boiling point.

2. The test is invalid if the temperature in the pot drops more than 60C below the boiling
temperature.

3. The tester should not further split the fuel wood into smaller pieces to try to reduce power.

ANALYSIS of RESULTS:
• Figure out the time to boil for cold start, hot • Steam lost during the simmering phase is also a
start, and for the boiling phase of the simmer good indicator of the stoves ability to perform
test. well during low power use. It is difficult to
design a stove that can boil water quickly and
• Calculate the wood use by subtracting the wood simmer well without using a lot of fuel.
left at the end of each phase from the starting However, since the majority of cooking time
weight. Do this for cold start high power, hot often occurs at low power (simmering), the
start high power, boiling phase of the simmer greatest fuel savings can be made with a stove
test, and simmering. that saves fuel during this time. Producing large
amounts of steam while simmering is an
• Calculate the water lost to steam for each of the indicator that the stove is having a difficult time
four phases by subtracting the remaining weight transitioning from the high power needed to
from the starting weight of the water. boil water quickly to the low power needed for
simmering food efficiently. Try changing the
• Do the same for the charcoal produced. design so that the stove easily maintains a low
simmer while keeping cooks happy with rapid
• Use these numbers to evaluate stove boiling.
performance. Change the stove design to reduce
wood use and to create less charcoal. Making a Remember that results from this test cannot be
lot of charcoal indicates poor combustion. used to compare stoves tested in other places. The
complete UCB/Shell Foundation test should be
• Calculating the steam lost is a valuable method used for those purposes.
to check that performance is similar in all
phases. Usually the hot start high power phase For more information, visit Aprovecho’s web site at
uses substantially less fuel, and time to boil is www.Aprovecho.net or contact us at:
faster compared to the cold start high power Aprovecho Research Center
phase. If there are significant differences 80574 Hazelton Rd.
between the recorded weights for wood use, Cottage Grove, OR 97424
time to boil, and steam lost between phase 2 and
(541) 942-8198
3 it is recommended to repeat the testing
procedure being careful to feed the fire without
as much variation.

33
 Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Data Sheet

Data Sheet

34
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Calculation Sheet

Calculation Sheet

Time to Boil:

_________ = B – A = Time to boil for cold start hi power phase

_________ = D – C = Time to boil for hot start hi power phase

_________ = F – E = Time to boil for boiling phase of simmering

Wood Use:

_________ = G – H = Wood use for cold start hi power phase

_________ = I – J = Wood use for hot start hi power phase

_________ = K – L = Wood use for boiling phase of simmering

_________ = L – M = Wood use for simmering phase

Water Converted to Steam:

_________ = N – O = Water lost to steam for cold start hi power phase

_________ = P – Q = Water lost to steam for hot start hi power phase

_________ = R – S = Water lost to steam for boiling phase of simmering

_________ = S – T = Water lost to steam during simmering phase

Charcoal Created:

_________ = U – Y = Charcoal made in cold start hi power phase

_________ = V – Y = Charcoal made in hot start hi power phase

_________ = W – V = Charcoal either made or consumed during the simmering phase.

(If this number is positive, then additional charcoal was created during
simmering, and if negative, then charcoal was consumed during the
simmering phase.)

35
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves

36
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Appendix: Glossary of Terms

Appendix

Glossary of Terms
Baldosa—Inexpensive ceramic floor tile about one Flue Gas—The hot gases that flow from the
inch thick that can be cut or molded into combustion chamber and out the chimney (if a
appropriate shapes to make a combustion chimney is present).
chamber.
Fuel efficiency—The percentage of the fuel’s heat
Boundary layer—The very thin layer of slow energy that is utilized to heat food or water.
moving air immediately adjacent to a pot
surface; insulates the pot from hot flue gases Grate—A framework of bars or mesh used to hold
and diminishes the amount of heat that enters fuel or food in a stove, furnace, or fireplace.
the pot.
Haybox—A relatively airtight insulated enclosure
Charcoal—The black, porous material that that maintains the temperature of the pot
contains mostly carbon that is produced by enabling food to be cooked to completion after
burning of wood or other biomass. the pot is removed from the stove.

Convection—The heat transfer in a gas or liquid Heat transfer efficiency—The percentage of heat
by movement of the air or water. released from combustion that enters a pot.

Combustion chamber—The region of the stove High mass stove—A stove made of uninsulated
where the fuel is burned. earth, clay, cast iron, or other heavy material
that requires significant energy to be warmed
Combustion efficiency—The percentage of the during stove operation.
fuel’s heat energy that is released during
combustion. Combustion efficiency refers to High power—A mode of stove operation where
the amount of the energy from the biomass the objective is to boil water as quickly as
that is turned into heat energy. possible; the highest power at which a stove can
operate.
Draft—The movement of air through a stove and
up a chimney. Low power—A mode of stove operation where the
objective is to simmer the water or food
Emissions—The byproducts from the combustion product; the lowest power at which a stove can
process that are discharged into the air. operate and still maintain a flame and simmer
food.
Excess air—The amount of air used in excess of
the amount for complete combustion. Pot skirt—A tube, usually made of sheet steel, that
surrounds a pot creating a narrow space so that
Firepower—The rate of fuel consumption, usually more of the heat in the flue gases enter the pot.
in kg-fuel per hour.
Retained heat—Heat energy that warms the
enclosures around the fire that does not escape
to the surroundings; can be used for space
heating.

37
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves Appendix: Glossary of Terms

Vermiculite—A lightweight, cheap, fireproof Water Boiling Test (WBT)—A test used to
material produced from natural mineral measure the overall performance of a
deposits in many parts of the world. cookstove. There are several versions of the
Vermiculite can be made into strong, water boiling test. In general the test consists of
lightweight, insulative ceramics with very little three phases. These are: (1) bringing water to a
effort. It is very strong and resistant to heat, boil from a cold start; (2) bringing water to a
and appears to be one of the best possible boil when the stove is hot; and, (3) maintaining
choices for making insulative ceramics. the water at simmering temperatures.

38
Design Principles for Wood Burning Cook Stoves

39
Office of Air & Radiation EPA-402-K-05-004
(6609J)