Menu Close

MATRIBHUMI Improved Cooking Stove (M-ICS)

What is a Matribhumi Improved Cooking Stove (M-ICS)?

The advent of M-ICS has brought revolution in development of ICS. It is similar to the two hole mud stove with slightly raised second hole. But it consists of an air supply disk (burner) and a small fan operated by 2-3 volt. These accessories help burn firewood more efficiently. The efficiency of the stove ranges from 24-27% (efficiency of normal ICS is 12-18%) and consumes 60% less firewood.

The use of fiber dye set has made construction of M-ICS more innovative and easy. By using proper combination of mud, rice husk, cow dung and small bricks, the stove can easily be made within 3-4 hours. Unlike in other ICS making of separate mud bricks are not required. (Mr. Madhukar K.C has designed both the M-ICS and fiber dye)

Raw material for making of M-ICS

Making of M-ICS

  1. Fiber dye,
  2. Placing if fire hole or fire chamber,
  3. Placing of second fire chamber, baffle and chimney key,
  4. Finishing of stove after removing the fiber dye,
  5. Upper view of stove,
  6. Placing of burner in fire chamber,
  7. Configuration of pot holes,
  8. Chimney construction,
  9. Cooking in M-ICS

Technical accessories for M-ICS

  1. Fan and adaptor: A commonly available 3 Watt fan by adapter is used to provide air to burner. The flow of air is controlled using adaptor while keeping it safe.
  2. Switch box, electrical wire and safety wire: A simple switch box, electrical wire and safety pipes are used to connect fan and adaptor with main grid.
  3. Chimney cap: A chimney cap is placed at the outlet of chimney connecting to M-ICS. As the smoke exists from the chimney, the cap provides safety from fire in mud houses. It also blocks air from outside to enter inside the stove and improves stove efficiency.
  4. General equipment: Simple general equipment such add screwdriver, hammer, measuring tape, insulation tape, nails and tester are required during M-ICS installation.

Fiber Dye and Polythene Pipe Inner Keys

The fiber dye consists of four rectangle plates of three different dimensions. The two large plates are identical in size. The length is 32 inches whereas the breath is 13 inch in one half and 14 inch in the other half. The two small plates have dimension of 13*16 and 15*16 inches.

During the construction of M-ICS, six inner keys of polythene pipes are used. These pipes are designed with fix dimension to ensure standard inner parts of M-ICS. The details of key and its use are explained below:

  1. First fire chamber/place of air supply disc (burner) key

The first fire chamber key is used to construct first fire chamber where the burner is placed. After fixing the fiber dye in a flat surface floor, it is placed at the center of lower left chamber of the fiber dye.

  • Fan key

Fan key is used as a key to make a small channel fan hole with first fire chamber. It is placed at left alignment of the fiber dye touching lower part of the first fire chamber. Then it is followed with one inch of a mud and a layer of bricks or stone inside the fiber dye.

  • Fire wood post key

Fire wood post key is used to make an opening at fiber chamber through which fire wood is inserted in M-ICS. The keys are again covered with a layer a mud and bricks or stone.

  • Second fire chamber key

Second fire chamber key is used to make a second fire chamber at the right side of the fiber dye. It is placed at the edge near to right of fiber dye.

  • Linkage key (between first and second fire chambers)

Two linkage key is used to make a channel that connects first and second fire chambers. Since the right side of the fiber dye is one inch higher, the linkage keys are placed inclined from left to the right side of the fiber dye.

  • Chimney place key

As the name suggest chimney is use to make a place connection of fire chambers with the chimney outlet. It is place at the right corner of the fiber dye touching the second fiber chamber. Then all the keys are covered with the mixture of mud and bricks proportionately.

  • Chimney block key

The chimney block keys consists of two sets of pipes different diameters. These keys are used to construct chimney blocks. Eight to nine chimney blocks are made and left to dry in the sun, which are compiled at M-ICS on the next day. These blocks are later connected with one another to construct chimney.