KIRUCODO | Supporting Rural Development in Uganda since 2000
Clean Cooking Two-Brick Rocket Stoves
Introduction
KIRUCODO has introduced the Two-Brick Rocket Stove—an affordable, efficient, and eco-friendly solution designed to provide clean cooking options to local communities. Uganda relies heavily on wood and charcoal for cooking and heating, traditional fuels that contribute to deforestation, carbon emissions, and health risks.
Unlike imported stoves costing up to $46, this locally-made version costs under $1, offering a sustainable alternative to open-fire cooking that reduces tree cutting, air pollution, and household costs.
Women cooking using the two-bricks rocket stove
Why Clean Cooking Matters in Uganda
Uganda increasingly feels the effects of climate change, which threaten both its natural ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions. Rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall strain water resources, while more frequent and intense droughts, floods, and landslides disrupt agriculture, food security, public health, and housing. Deforestation is a major contributing factor—Uganda has lost approximately 1.3 million hectares of forest in the past 20 years. This rapid loss of tree cover is closely linked to unsustainable wood fuel use, highlighting the urgent need for environmental protection and climate adaptation efforts.
The Two-Brick Rocket Stove: A Clean Cooking Solution
Women learning how to build two-bricks rocket stoves
A rocket stove is a highly efficient cooking solution that burns small-diameter wood fuel in a well-designed combustion chamber with an insulated vertical chimney. This setup ensures near-complete combustion before the heat reaches the cooking surface, significantly reducing smoke and maximizing fuel efficiency. Compared to traditional stoves, it requires much less firewood, making it one of the most effective tools for reducing deforestation in Uganda and across Africa.
Given the high cost of imported rocket stoves—around $46 USD—we developed an affordable alternative using just two bricks. This local version costs less than $1 USD, making it widely accessible. It offers both economic and environmental advantages. It requires no electricity or gas, is made from locally available materials, and is durable and long-lasting. The design uses thin firewood and small branches, dramatically lowering wood consumption and minimizing environmental stress.
It’s also cleaner than many biomass fuel options, producing fewer harmful emissions—a health benefit for families. The stove’s design allows for rapid energy transfer to the cooking pot, and the bricks retain heat, keeping food warm even after the firewood is removed. Tested for reliability, 300 of these two-brick stoves are now ready for distribution.
Building the Two-Brick Stove: Materials and Method
Building a two-brick rocket stove is simple. Start with a mold, either 25x25x5 cm or 35x35x15 cm. Place a plastic or wooden pipe (10–15 cm in diameter) in the center, and pack mud around it to create the top brick. Once dry, cut a wedge from this brick to form the bottom brick. Together, these two bricks make a durable and efficient stove, as shown in the photo slideshow below.
We rely on donations from kind individuals who believe in our mission. Join us today, your donation empowers the next generation of rural leaders in Uganda.
Clean Cooking Two-Brick Rocket Stoves
Introduction
KIRUCODO has introduced the Two-Brick Rocket Stove—an affordable, efficient, and eco-friendly solution designed to provide clean cooking options to local communities. Uganda relies heavily on wood and charcoal for cooking and heating, traditional fuels that contribute to deforestation, carbon emissions, and health risks.
Unlike imported stoves costing up to $46, this locally-made version costs under $1, offering a sustainable alternative to open-fire cooking that reduces tree cutting, air pollution, and household costs.
Why Clean Cooking Matters in Uganda
Uganda increasingly feels the effects of climate change, which threaten both its natural ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions. Rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall strain water resources, while more frequent and intense droughts, floods, and landslides disrupt agriculture, food security, public health, and housing. Deforestation is a major contributing factor—Uganda has lost approximately 1.3 million hectares of forest in the past 20 years. This rapid loss of tree cover is closely linked to unsustainable wood fuel use, highlighting the urgent need for environmental protection and climate adaptation efforts.
The Two-Brick Rocket Stove: A Clean Cooking Solution
A rocket stove is a highly efficient cooking solution that burns small-diameter wood fuel in a well-designed combustion chamber with an insulated vertical chimney. This setup ensures near-complete combustion before the heat reaches the cooking surface, significantly reducing smoke and maximizing fuel efficiency. Compared to traditional stoves, it requires much less firewood, making it one of the most effective tools for reducing deforestation in Uganda and across Africa.
Given the high cost of imported rocket stoves—around $46 USD—we developed an affordable alternative using just two bricks. This local version costs less than $1 USD, making it widely accessible. It offers both economic and environmental advantages. It requires no electricity or gas, is made from locally available materials, and is durable and long-lasting. The design uses thin firewood and small branches, dramatically lowering wood consumption and minimizing environmental stress.
It’s also cleaner than many biomass fuel options, producing fewer harmful emissions—a health benefit for families. The stove’s design allows for rapid energy transfer to the cooking pot, and the bricks retain heat, keeping food warm even after the firewood is removed. Tested for reliability, 300 of these two-brick stoves are now ready for distribution.
Building the Two-Brick Stove: Materials and Method
Building a two-brick rocket stove is simple. Start with a mold, either 25x25x5 cm or 35x35x15 cm. Place a plastic or wooden pipe (10–15 cm in diameter) in the center, and pack mud around it to create the top brick. Once dry, cut a wedge from this brick to form the bottom brick. Together, these two bricks make a durable and efficient stove, as shown in the photo slideshow below.
Team Behind this Project
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We rely on donations from kind individuals who believe in our mission. Join us today, your donation empowers the next generation of rural leaders in Uganda.