The kerosene stove here was demonstrated at La Florville in Kenscoff last week. Late October 2004. They are made in Port au Price down at Delmas 19. They use a burner from India, the frame and everything else are locally made from rebar and sheet steel.

A Cuban stove operating on these principles has been available for some time. I've bought two and left them in St Marc. Those stoves are more sophisticated, but require precise timing when lighting. This makes them difficult for country people to get used to.

This burner seems more tolerant of the light up procedure. It is easier to get at the burner mechanism as well. A capful of 95% Alcohol is helpful to start the process but not absolutely necessary.

Kerosene enters thru a plastic tube and flows through a serpentine path that is heated by the fire of the burner itself. The capful of alcohol (or kerosene) is poured into a cup at the bottom of the burner and vaporises the kerosene inside the body of the burner.

Once the kerosene is vaporized you begin flowing the kero into and through the burner. The vapor comes up and burns around the flame spreader which is shaped by the surrounding piece. A Venturi. Possibly it should be called a flame shaper?

The flow of kerosene is controlled simply by elevating the fuel tank. Hanging the fuel tank on a nail at a higher level than the burner results in fuel flowing thru the burner. Two nails at different heights results in a low flame or a high flame. Depending on whether one uses the lower nail or the higher one, of course. Setting the tank on the ground, below the level of the burner shuts off the flow of kerosene. Thus turning off the stove.

Today the stove was used to heat water for the laundry. This was the first use of the new country kero vapor stove and the first use of the wonder clean pressure washing machine. This is a great machine which was purchased on the internet at Lehmans.com. They sell all non-electric appliances, originally for the Amish/Mennonite market. Now for the off-the-grid market.

The wonder clean requires hot water to work properly. One seals the top of the machine with hot water and soap and clothes inside. The top locks on and produces pressure inside the body of the unit from the heat. The pressurized environment helps the soap enter into the fabric while rotating the unit gives the agitation which removes the dirt. Much nicer than washing by hand in a basin.