The Berkeley-Darfur Stove
When a team of scientists first embarked on a fact-finding mission in Darfur in 2005, they considered a variety of existing stoves as models for the Berkeley-Darfur Stove. Interviews, demonstration tests, and focus group discussions with Darfuri women revealed that a modified version of the Tara stove (first developed in India) would be most effective in reducing the amount of firewood needed for cooking.
Research and development for the Berkeley-Darfur Stove occurs onsite of our institutional partner, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL) facilities in Berkeley, California. Visit LBNL’s cookstove site to learn more about their research concerning the design, fuel efficiency and emissions testing of fuel-efficient stoves, including the Berkeley-Darfur Stove.
Stove Design
While the Tara stove was determined to be the best fit, it needed to be modified for the food type, cooking style, pot shapes, and environmental conditions in Darfur (namely wind and sand). With the input of Darfuri women the scientists made a number of modifications, including:
1. A tapered wind collar that increases fuel-efficiency in the windy Darfur environment and allows for multiple pot sizes.
2. Wooden handles for easy handling.
3. Metal tabs for accommodating flat plates for bread baking.
4. Internal ridges for optimal spacing between the stove and a pot for maximum fuel efficiency.
5. Feet for stability with optional stakes for additional stability.
6. Nonaligned air openings between the outer stove and inner fire box to accommodate windy conditions.
7. Small fire box opening to prevent using more fuel wood than necessary.
Build your own stove using our paper stove-kit
Watch the Berkeley-Darfur Stove come to life!
