Amid LPG crisis, demand for rocket stoves surges in Kerala

With the supply of LPG cylinders decreasing due to the crisis in West Asia, many catering companies in the state are turning to rocket stoves as an alternative cooking method. As demand increased, some suppliers struggled to keep up and stopped accepting new orders, while others, including restaurant owners, began building their own stoves to manage the crisis.

Arugula stoves are in high demand because they require less firewood than regular wood stoves and other alternative cooking systems. Mohammed Razi PZ, owner of a restaurant in Vennala in the city, said, “I ordered two rocket stoves. As the crisis deepens, the stove is the only alternative.” Mohammed Sharooq, pan-India distributor of the Chennai-based stove manufacturing company, said he has stopped taking calls due to increasing demand. “We receive over 1,000 calls every day. Unfortunately, we cannot accept new orders as we want to fulfill existing orders,” he said.

In the last four days, the company has received over 2,000 orders, including 450 from Kerala. Stove prices vary depending on the company and model. While the company’s commercial models are priced between ₹17,500 and ₹3.5 lakh, domestic models range from ₹8,000 to ₹17,500.

While most companies are freezing orders due to their inability to produce and deliver on time, some restaurant operators have started making their own rocket stoves.

“When we went to order, we were told there was a waiting time of more than 40 days. So we have made three such stoves and are using them,” said Benny Nanatt, owner of a restaurant in Palarivattom.

Aiju Thomas, managing partner of a company that produces stoves in Piravom, said that their orders have increased. “Previously we were selling about 40 stoves a month, now it’s 40 a day. Hoteliers have been buying more stoves since the crisis started,” Mr Thomas said.

The company offers two models priced at around ₹ 9,500 (extra large) and ₹ 5,200 (large) and they are out of stock yet.