Open source cookstoves library for massive DIY deployment

Abstract

A library of open source clean cookstoves reference designs are built to tackle the problem of household air pollution due to use of dirty burning solid fuel stoves. The designs are optimized for massive DIY deployment supporting easy adoption, transportation, assembly, and maintenance. The initial reference designs include a DIY concentrating solar cooker, biomass stove, and tools for making alcohol stove. Construction is based on standards-based off-the-shelf material and common power tools found in hardware & construction material stores, and home-made or 3D-printed tools. This library empowers grassroots or micro-entrepreneurs to build high-performance and low-cost clean cookstoves without investing a fortune on production machinery. Workshop material on clean cookstoves principles, OpenSCAD 3D design, and DIY construction methods equips people with the needed knowledge and skills. A visit to hardware and materials stores is what it takes for local NGO or users to get started. With both clean cookstoves and construction tool designs, the library forms a basis for design engineers to collaborate and speedup efficiency improvement, for organizations seeking clean cooking solutions to drive universal adoption, and for decision makers to work out deployment and finance schemes for their projects.