An efficient alternative to cooking on a three stone fire

The three stone fire is a commonly used in food preparation in Kenya, and many people can relate with the simple and accessible mode of cooking. For decades, women have been using this cooking style not knowing the danger that they expose themselves to.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly two  million people die prematurely from illness attributable to indoor air pollution from household solid fuel use. Since cooking is a task that most cultures have assigned to women, women are the most affected by pollution resulting from food preparation.Women exposed to smoke, much like smoke emitted from a three stone fire, are at greatest risk of developing lung diseases.

“Women exposed to heavy indoor smoke are three times as likely to suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as women who use cleaner fuels,” reads a WHO report on indoor air pollution. 

To counter the negative environmental and health effects of the three-stone cooking style, Top Third Ventures has introduced an energy efficient stove in Kenya. The Baker Stove made it premier in Kenya, and it is mainly sold in rural areas where wood fuel is used most. The stove cuts down the amount of fuel used and it reduces the time spent cooking explains Top Third Ventures CEO Lucas Belenky.

“The the Baker Stove allows women to cook with only a third of the wood they used to use and in much less time. This saves lives because less wood means less smoke," sad Belenky.

To ensure that the oven would be suitable to the population, the organization conducted extensive of fieldwork, research, and socioeconomic studies in Kenya alone to understand these women, their circumstances, local food, and how it is cooked. The ovens are also produced within the country with using locally sourced materials.

The project, which has been in the works from 2011, has been tested at the University of Nairobi and certified. Dr Jacob Kithinji, who works in the university’s chemistry department, UoN said "Baker achieves 56% reduction in CO, 38% reduction in particulate matter more than the three-stone fire. The average efficiency from the three phases of tests was 32%"

 The stove has also gotten the nod from the National Environment Management Authority (Nema).

“We wish to note and confirm that this project will contribute to the actualization of Kenya’s Vision 2030 through improvements in energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” Prof Geoffrey Wahungu  who is the Director General of Nema.

The Baker Stove Campaign seeks to raise funds to further its dream of providing women in developing countries with an energy efficient cooking stove solution to the three-stone fire problem. If $30,000 or more isn't raised, the money then contributed is refunded to the respective funders.

The organization is currently rallying support and raising funds to beat their 18th June deadline. Should the raise the $30,000, they will be able to produce more jikos to meet the high demand and lure in investors.