improved Stoves 361
Improving open fires
The most basic “stove” is an open fire. It is sometimes called a 3-stone fire
because in many parts of the world the fire is made with 3 stones to surround
the burning fuel and to hold up the food or cooking pot.
With small changes, open fires can be made safer, create less smoke, and use
less fuel. For example, burning only small pieces of wood which are dry and not
“green” makes less smoke. Making a small wall of mud or stones around your
fire pit can prevent accidents that lead to
house fires or injuries from burns.
In a clean fire, just the tips of the wood burn,
creating less smoke and using less fuel.
In a dirty fire, the wood burns all over,
creating a lot of smoke and using a lot of fuel.
Simple clay stove
A simple clay stove with a metal grate to lift fuel off the ground takes very little
material to make. It burns hot and clean, and uses less wood than an open fire.
To make a simple clay stove, mix:
• 6 parts sand
• 4 parts clay
• a few handfuls of fine sawdust or chopped straw
The pot sits inside
the clay ring.
• enough water to make the clay hold together
so it can be shaped into a ring
A hole in
the clay ring
draws air in
to keep the
fire burning.
Rocks hold the pot
just above the fire.
A small space
between the pot
and the ring,
about the width
of your smallest
finger, will heat
the pot best and
reduce smoke.
Firewood rests on a grate
made of scrap metal,
allowing air underneath.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012