[Stoves] Maendeleo/Upesi stove: dimensions?

[Xavier Brandao]

Hi everyone,

Does someone knows the most common dimensions of the Maendeleo/Upesi 
stove? Stove size, fuel opening size?

I read something interesting in one of the articles of the last edition 
of HEDON Boiling Point, number 68, that sheds further light to this 
subject of adoption.

"In 2010 the World Food Programme undertook a feasibility study in Kenya 
to understand how displaced populations were coping with fuel scarcity 
and the related consequences. At the time, a total of 33 568 improved 
cookstoves (ICSs) had been distributed to both refugees and host 
communities in Kakuma by the previous UNCHR-GTZ partnership programme, 
implemented by GTZ (now GIZ). The Maendeleo stove was promoted by GTZ. 
Other agencies distributed stove including Jiko Poa, Envirofit G3300 and 
Save 80.
The study revealed that the Maendeleo metal cladded pottery liner stove 
was widely accepted by refugees because it was not necessary to 
constantly attend the fire, resulting in time savings for other chores. 
The stove achieved around 30% firewood saving compared to the three 
stone fire and was safe and portable. Other stoves did not enjoy the 
same acceptability, primarily because of the design (could only cook for 
few people), the time taken to heat up and the taste of the food cooked."

Great to see concrete examples of users preferences. We should have a 
world map of stove adoption.

I couldn't find any information online about the Maendeleo dimensions. I 
guess they vary, like traditional ceramic stoves do. I suspect the 
dimensions have a big role to play: people probably like them because 
they have a wider opening for fuel entry, and large combustion chamber: 
they provide high power -> from the user experience: cook for many 
people and require little tending.

The Maendeleo is another good place to start: how can we develop stoves 
with the same qualities, but much cleaner and economic?

Best,

Xavier

-- 

Xavier Brandao
COO

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