[Stoves] Improving three stone stoves and finding out where wild jatropha grows

[Joyce Lockard]

I wonder if it would help to fill in two of the spaces between three of the
stones with curving walls of clay, leaving one open for the fuel.  Clay
would reduce heat loss due to any horizontal air currents so help keep it
hotter under the pot. The clay walls could come up to within an inch or so
of the bottom of the pot, which would still be supported by sitting on the
three stones, so that emissions and hot air would be deflected up the pot
sides. And, very important, it is something that a woman could do herself
without any expense.  

 

I am trying to find out where (in what countries) jatropha is growing wild,
so women could scavenge for the seeds.  Another question is whether there is
a way to make a simple grate for three stone stoves to hold up the jatropha
seeds.  I suppose they would burn if they were on the ground under wood.
Would there be an advantage in lifting them above the wood, up close to the
pot bottom?

 

I have read that half of the people who burn wood/charcoal for cooking are
using three stone stoves. Trying to help the poorest of women with simple,
cheap or no-cost improvements in their three stone stoves is in line with
the first Millennium Development Goal of relieving extreme poverty.  I would
like to find colleagues to try this idea of adding clay walls. It is not
something I can do at my home. Any suggestions of where I can find people to
try it?  If it appears feasible to add the mud walls, then the challenge
will be to make the idea known to those who need it.  

 

 

Joyce M Lockard

 

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