Here’s another interesting idea from Dominic Wanjihia (see links to his other gadgets below) – the fuel efficient Sufuria. A sufuria is the aluminium pan that is used by virtually everyone in Kenya to make tea, ugali and for cooking vegetables. Like all pots that we use, energy is wasted around the sides of the pot. In Africa this is expensive as fuel be it gas, kerosene or charcoal is expensive. 
This is what it looks like when assembled
This is what it is comprised of – two sufurias to make one efficient one. Basically a hole is cut out of the bigger sufuria – and the piece cut out becomes the lid so nothing is wasted. To wash the sufuria you just dismantle the pieces by just slipping it out. The heat that otherwise escapes around the edge of the pan, is trapped between the cooking pot and it’s sleeve.
Though it’s not in production, Dominic is using this sufuria at home and swears that it saves at least 50-75% energy on a kerosene stove (his estimate is based on how long it’ takes to boil water).
So if you put a fuel efficient sufuria on a Kinyanjui fuel efficient stove I wonder how much energy saving you could achieve?
Dominic Wanjihia has been previously on Afrigadget showcasing his flat parabolic mirror, container garden, wearable Solar Panel vest, Food dryer, and camel milk cooler.
Brilliant, we should try get Dominic to go into production.
A great idea, because it so simple. Insulation is a key element missing in many stoves around the world. I wonder if there is any material that might be able to be fit in between an act as a better insulation than air alone.
The people who made the rocket stove have a list of design principles and include some options for making insulation. Worth a look, and passing on to dominic maybe.
http://www.rocketstove.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=11&Itemid=90
In the mean time, this post and your last inspired me to upload my photos of stoves from Africa and India.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chefcooke/sets/72157623275685101/
Hi,
just want to send a link to a woodgas stove: http://www.woodgas.com/index.htm
My understanding is that a woodgas stove can burn wood much more efficient than an ordinary stove. (the one sold at the link might be to expensive)
Frank
Such a simple idea in hindsight. Well done Domini.
Where is the air intake?
Thanks for these great comments everyone. Great idea, I’ve first saw these in Australia a few years ago. I love the links
Jimmy – Virtually every Kenyan stove I came across (just finished some research on fuel efficiency and stoves in rural Kenya) has its own air intake as part as the stove design. Often as a small door at the bottom of the stove (see the KCJ or Kuni Mbili) which also allows lighting of the fuel, or fuel addition. I also very much doubt Domonic’s design is meant to be air tight!
Good stuff Dom, shame I couldn’t include this as part of my research, but looks like a winner to me.
Jamie