Manufacturing Improved Cook Stoves

Aprovecho's decades of field experience have shown that it can sometimes be difficult to make fuel efficient, low emission biomass burning stoves locally, especially where necessary materials are scarce and/or stove manufacturers don't exist.  Making insulative combustion chambers and affordable cast iron stove parts can be especially challenging.

To make another option available to stove projects, Aprovecho-designed StoveTec Stoves are being made in a factory in China.  Shengzhou Stove Manufacturer (SSM) is a factory that has been selling millions of refractory ceramic coal burning stoves for decades.  Working closely with Mr. Shen, an engineer and the owner of the factory, engineering, production capacity and materials have been adapted to create what have proven to be efficient, high-quality stoves that are being sold at the lowest price possible.  These stoves are now available and can be shipped to ports around the world from Ningbo, China.  For more information on all of the products now available, please visit the StoveTec web site.

Aprovecho/Shengzhou Partnership

Aprovecho Research Center (ARC) and Shengzhou Stove Manufacturer (SSM) developed a partnership based on shared values, trust and a commitment to making high-quality stoves that are efficient and affordable.

These “Rocket-type” stoves are the result of twenty years of experience and are designed with input from focus groups comprised of local cooks from around the world.  Laboratory and field tests have shown that the stoves reduce both fuel use and emissions by forty to fifty percent. 

Mr. Shen is the owner and chief engineer of SSM.  The factory employs about 100 workers and has a production capacity of 100,000 wood burning cooking stoves per month.

Mr. Shen's father began work on ceramic combustion chambers in 1975, using a large supply of refractory clay. The material has proven to be ideal.  In 1980, Mr. Shen's father founded Shengzhou Stove Manufacturers with on-site access to the refractory clays. In 1997, Mr. Shen assumed management of the firm.

After more than 20 years of research, the factory has extensive experience in the development of ceramic combustion chambers.  The resulting product is both light-weight and durable.

Aprovecho and Shengzhou wholeheartedly shares a dedication to making low-cost, high-quality stoves available to people around the world who need them.