However, such a stove technology design might require re-location of the position of the fireplace,
compared to a three-stone fire.
The user should not be able to link the activity to the design of the energy technology. This not only governs
the choice of technology but also the extent to which it can be adopted and used. The Lorena stove as an
example, requires a lot of soil material which might not be found easily. One might therefore choose a stove
that requires less material. The ceramic stove, on the other hand, can either be bought or made. Making
requires particular soils (clay), and specific equipment and skills, and the process of making it is long,
compared to mud stoves.
CASE STUDY
Alternative energy technologies improve adoption rates
The Mt. Elgon Conservation and Development Project, in Mbale, Uganda embarked on the
promotion of the two-pot mud stove in the project area as a strategy for reducing fuel
consumption. The stove proved very successful particularly in the areas where good solid were
available. However, adoption rates in some other areas were very low, sometimes leading to people
abandoning the new technology. Lose review revealed that the low adoption rate was due to
frequent cracking of the stove which required very constant repair. This was a result of
unavailability of good soils for producing durable stoves. The project sought further advice from
Intermediate Technology, Kenya, and affected a recommendation to promote ceramic stoves
through a commercial approach in these areas where the two-pot mud stove had failed. Extensive
training in groups in ceramic stove production followed. Production followed and today the groups
produce the “Serichi” stove which as proved very popular in the areas where the two pot stove had
completely failed.
Source: Imelda Lwanga, Project Manager, Mount Elgon Project.
Case study developed by Sengendo and Muchiri
User’s notes
About mud stoves
The basic principle common to mud stoves is the shielding of the fire against draught. Construction of mud
stoves involves a range of indigenous or local knowledge in mud-mixing, binding, moulding, shaping and
finishing the completed stove products from different soil types such as clay and ant-hill soil. Apart from
this, mud stoves require a period of drying before they are ready for use.
They are not fired before use, are usually made from available soils and require very low level of kills to
make. They are owner-built and therefore cost very little. The main difference between clay-lined stoves
and mud stoves is the need for resources to make or possess. Because the technology is simple, it is easily
adapted and copied.
Mud stoves, however, require constant repair and maintenance. If maintenance is not satisfactory, there is
continuous deterioration of the stove and this discourages the users. Mud stove promotion, therefore,
requires constant follow-up. They require shelter from rain and other adverse physical effects. In some
cases, mud stoves are laborious to make and once make are bulky. They are not easily transported as they
break. That aspect reduces opportunities for their commercialization.
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