Stove Function - finding a better solution
Background
FHBH survey data shows stoves are performing poorly in Indigenous communities nationally with an average lifespan of between 6 months to two years. Stoves support Healthy Living Practice (HLP) 4 Improving Nutrition: the ability to store, prepare and cook meals and HLP 5 Reducing the negative impacts of overcrowding. More people using a house means greater stove use. This project aims to contribute towards improving HLPs 4 & 5. Previous research established and documented regular, high level stove use and resulting performance issues. Stove use averages 3.5hrs/day total and an average single continuous use of up to 29.5min, two clear use peaks of 06:00–09:00 & 17:00–19:00 hrs.
Project Aim
- Identifying possible stoves to be included in the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing program (eg SIHIP in the NT).
- Identifying criteria for selecting stoves in these NPA projects using professional commercial standard stoves (or better) and modifications to improve performance.
- Beginning an evidence based debate about stove cost and function, by comparing these project results with other stove performance data.
Project Implementation and Outcomes
Using previously established stove performance criteria, stoves were selected and tested in situ for a period of one year (see below). The commercial stoves were appreciated by householders and performed well. The detailed data corroborated ongoing high, regular use patterns.
Suggested modifications of stoves include:- cover all openings in stainless steel insect mesh to reduce vermin and insect attack of wiring,
- fix knobs to control shafts,
- encase control box to stop Singapore ant attack (as required).
Installation issues:
Weight: Commercial stove weighs up to 130kg’s
Size: Goldstein stove is 700mm wide, may require future consideration of space required
Power: Up to 40A is OK as existing domestic stoves used draw up to 38.5A when all elements are on.
A comprehensive monitoring system: was tested to ensure it is possible to accurately evaluate stove performance during any trial period. Each element of the stove and oven door opening was monitored. This validated the testing methodology by accurately describing stove performance in the field. This also showed that the initial data monitoring method was too detailed. Having established individual component use the collected data points were reduced by measuring total stove use only.
The project has defined the methodology for a proposed National Stove Trial.
Stove Recommendations for trial:
Commercial electric stoves:
A. Fagor CE 6-41 (incl delivery) $ 4,420
B. Goldstein GR/EE 710 (incl delivery) $ 4,348
C. Ilve JK60V WV (ex delivery) $ 2,600 + installation cost $ 520 (variable)
Note: Ilve is not the same quality in terms of build and is domestic rather than professional commercial product.