Energy firm jolts market with new stove

One of the energy-efficient stoves that use firewood, charcoal or gas depending on a client’s requirement.

An energy equipment firm says it has broken new ground in the fabrication of energy-efficient stoves that reduce power consumption by 60 to 70 per cent. 

Ngara-based Rapid & Quality Results Engineering makes stoves (jikos) that use firewood, charcoal or gas depending on a client’s requirement.

The product portfolio covers hot water systems, heat recovery and central heating systems designed to cut energy use.

According to Rapid’s technical director, Allan Kuria, the stoves and fryers dubbed AK- Eco fri and made of stainless steel save money by retaining and amplifying heat.

“The stoves and deep fryers are properly insulated. They are multi-fuel and use a minimum amount of either wood, charcoal or gas with easy adaptability,” he said.

At AIC Kijabe hospital, the jikos used are both gas and firewood (smokeless). Slightly over one kilogramme of gas prepares lunch for over 300 patients and staff.

Compuera Girls Mangu is using the the jikos on firewood but is seeking to convert to biogas in a few weeks’ time when the institution’s digester becomes operational.

Mr Kuria said many restaurants folding up due to the escalating cost of electricity and power rationing.

While fish and chips outlets would close down during days of power rationing, a survey of Ngara area showed it was business as usual for those who stopped using electric deep fryers as far back as two years ago.

When using charcoal, a bag will process up to 8 bags of potatoes.

Antony Maina of Goodhope bar and restaurant said his power bill had gone down from Sh65,000 last year to Sh11,000 currently.

“We prepare chips and other foods whether electricity is available or not. The stove is economical as one bag last for three days,” he said.

The fryers in use at Jambo Grill on Thika Road, Mooreland Hotel opposite Stima Plaza, Hunters Grill, Express Fish and Chips on Tubman Road, Sandton Palace Hotel and White Cafeteria in Ngara enable the outlets serve clients throughout.

Some institutions also use the AK- Hot water systems for heating.

A wheelbarrow load of firewood heats water for over 800 students at Loreto Girls High School in Limuru. Ten kilos of Kahawa coal heats water for over 200 soldiers at British Army Training Camp in Nanyuki.

“Previously I would use a sack of charcoal every day to cook. Since I installed the jiko, a bag of charcoal lasts three days,” said John Ndegwa who runs South Tetu tea kiosk in Ngara.

About 80 per cent of the Kenyan population rely heavily on biomass-based energy for cooking and heating. Over 90 per cent of educational institutions use wood fuel to prepare meals inevitably leading to massive cutting of trees.

Rapid is also seeking partners to roll out the replacement of archaic cooking systems in homesteads and other institutions with its product. The jikos are also designed to use waste briquettes, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or biogas with slight modification.

“The environment will benefit substantially, since forests will suffer less degradation and tree loss reduced by at least 60 per cent. Water resources will be better protected due to reduction in forest destruction,” said Mr Kuria.

Rapid’s products are a result of research in alternative energy going back to 1994 in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara national parks.