Introducing the Aprovecho Research Center (ARC) rocket stove to the Marshall Islands
Michael N Trevor, Enemanit , Marshall Islands December 6, 2008
Cooking on Rocket Stove While Still Starting Shell Fire
Hello from the Marshall Islands, thing are progressing just slowly
I thought you might like these attached pictures. Dean Still and his crew John, Todd and Sandra along with Dr Richard Zellar on their (Aprovecho) Board really went the extra mile to help me get the stoves here to test. It took over half a year to accomplish. I complement them for the extra effort.
Initial reaction has been very positive, even right thru the roof. The best appellation was "fabulous", and others say "really good" or its almost like a kerosene stove. This thing really has potential to help people. Even the Ministry of Health has taken an interest for a public health view.
The stove being used next to a "normal" open fire from shell is really illustrative. The entire pot of eggs and potatoes for a picnic salad cooked on pieces of 2 or 3 flower spathes while the other fire was still being built.
The nearly smokeless fire is obvious. The steaming pot shows well right next to the harsh acrid shell smoke. Pollution.Junction !!!.
As for the fuel the difference in labor should be noted, Susan simply walked across the yard
picking up three "utok" from coconut spathes on the ground and lit them. Juli the young man however had to pick up and haul in a partial bad of nuts. Then they were husked, cracked and the meat cut out. Finally he spend the entire time Susan was cooking just getting his fire going,
Please note Susan is not even using the stove correctly as the pot was just big enough the the skirt fell down the outside of the stove. I believe the skirt is not going to be popular even though I carefully explained its importance and use to hold heat against the pot.
Fuel shortage is not an issue here as in some places. Right now I am working our a combination of chopped frond pieces for an XL woodgas stove and then running the midrib sections through the ARC rocket stove. The looks to be a nice usage of what is usually trash that is burned.
Sincerely yours
Michael N Trevor
Enemanit
Marshall Islands
mtrevor@ntamar.net
Stovetec http://www.stovetec.net
Aprovecho Research Center http://www.aprovecho.org