Total time:

1 hour

Objectives:

* To build a sand/clay cookstove as described in the previous session

* To construct the base of a sand/clay cookstove (optional)

Resources:

Evans and Boutette, Lorena Stoves, pp. 50-51

Materials:

Clay, sand, water, rubble, earthen blocks/brick/concrete rubble/soil-cement blocks/mortared rocks, sifter, shovel, hoe, machete, trowel, lumber

Trainer Notes

Each group should construct a base for one of the three suggested cookstoves to be built during this phase: the Lorena, the Louga and the Java Chimneyless.

Explain that the stove base should be solid and not shift. Also mention protecting the base from erosion due to surface runoff of water.

Give participants a variety of suggestions, i.e., a level ground base, clay-mortared earthen blocks, cinder blocks, . etc.

Encourage the groups to be creative in their use of materials and to try new approaches. Explain that they should feel free to do this at all stages of the stove construction.

Before the groups begin construction, mention that they should limit the size of their stove (generally the largest being two pots with a chimney) to be certain there will be time to complete the project.

Total time:

6 hours

Objective:

To construct the mass of a sand/clay cookstove

Resources:

Evans and Boutette, Lorena Stoves, pp. 50-57

Materials:

Clay, sand, water, sifter, machete, trowels, shovels, hoes, tampers, lumber

Trainer Notes

Tell the work groups they have six hours to complete the stove.

Outline the procedure for building the stove bodies in the following manner:

* Sift sand and clay through a 5mm or 3mm (3/16" or 1/8") screen mesh.

* Mix the dry ingredients to the desired proportions.

* Add water and mix well.

* Apply the mixture to the stove base.

* Add one layer to another, packing each layer well, paying special attention to the edges and being careful to keep the sides straight.

* Continue adding layers until the stove mass attains a height of 30-40cm, depending upon the depth of the pots to be used and the height of the firebox.

* Trim the stove mass sides and fill in mixture where needed.

* Level the surface by gently pulling a wet board back and forth over the surface until it is flat and smooth.

Circulate among the work groups and assist them in the construction process where necessary. Encourage group members to rotate tasks in order to gain experience in all phases of the construction.

Ask the participants to read Lorena Stoves, pp. 58-65, before the next session.

Total time:

3 hours

Objective:

To excavate the potholes and tunnels of an earthen cookstove

Resources:

Evans and Boutette, Lorena Stoves, pp. 58-65

Materials:

Machete, trowel, spoons, nails, sheet metal, wood (for dampers) and chimney pipe (if required)

Trainer Notes

Mention that they have three hours to complete their stoves.

Outline the process in the following manner:

* Using the actual pots as templates, position and mark the potholes.

* Locate and mark the position of the damper slot and chimney hole (if necessary).

* Cut the damper slots with a machete.

* Carve out the potholes and chimney with a spoon.

* Cut the firebox entrance and connecting tunnels to the last pothole or chimney hole.

* Finish the potholes with spoons and by rotating the wet pots so that the pots are deeply sunken.

* Build up the baffles under the second and third potholes.

* Construct and insert the dampers.

* Smooth the stove surfaces.

Circulate among the groups offering assistance where necessary.

Refer the work groups to Lorena Stoves, pp. 58-65, for more specific information on completing the stoves.